The UK Premiere of Jimmy Somerville – Queer Rebel of English Pop is hosted by DJ Ritu MBE, international turntablist, former BBC Radio presenter, and host/producer of the iconic ‘A World in London’.
The entire night and the fantastic line-up are a celebration of music, queer club culture, art, and HIV activism.
Delicious food will be supplied by The Food Chain, the UK’s only HIV specialist nutrition charity.
About Jimmy Somerville – Queer Rebel of English Pop
With his 1984 hit “Smalltown Boy”, Jimmy Somerville hit the big time and became the voice of the gay movement in Britain, calling for freedom and equal rights amid discrimination. As frontman of Bronski Beat, then The Communards and finally as a solo artist, he became an icon of the 80s without ever denying his identity. Jimmy became the unmistakable voice of a generation fighting for equality. Through intimate stories, this portrait reveals a rare artistic powerhouse who has never wavered in his convictions.
Post-film panel and DJ line-up
- Colin Bell – Former record label A&R manager of Bronski Beat and The Communards, and openly gay former Managing Director of London Records
- June Miles-Kingston – Musician and Communards drummer + co-singer.
- Anjali Prashar-Savoie – Author of ‘Club Commons: Moving Bodies to Grow Movements in Queer Nightlife & Beyond’ published by Velocity Press
- Thierry Schaffauser – Sex worker, Palestine activist, trade unionist and activist with ACT UP Paris
- Ian Johns – former Switchboard LGBTQIA+ director, ACT UP London activist and part of London’s finest dandies with Ian Bodenham at Hunky Dory Vintage. Following the loss of many friends to HIV/AIDS, Ian became actively involved in community support and advocacy.
- Franck Sainte Martine – who met Jimmy Somerville in August 1985 in London and became Rouen’s Act-Up secretary (end of 80ies – early 90ies) and makes artworks solely based on Jean Genet’s novels.
Followed by DJ sets from This Is My Culture residents and ACT UP London activists – Sticky Jam co-founder Knayohmi and Public Toilet Disco.
WHEN – Friday 28th August 2026 Doors open 6.00pm. The film begins at 6.30pm. Panel 7.30-8.30pm. Party 8.30-10pm.
WHERE – The Cinema Museum, 2 Dugard Way, Renfrew Rd, London SE11 4TH.
TICKETS – Between £10 and £20 – Purchase here. The night is a fundraiser for ’40 Years of ACT UP 2027 Calendar’ featuring images from across ACT UP chapters and iconic actions across the world.
About ACT UP
Part of the international AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power (ACT UP) movement, ACT UP London is a diverse, non-partisan group united in anger and committed to direct action to end the HIV pandemic and the wider inequalities that sustain it through collectivising strategic, revolutionary joy.
ACCESSIBILITY – The venue is wheelchair accessible via a lift. There are accessible toilets and accessible parking spaces, and a BSL interpreter will be on the night.
