LGBT charity brings inclusive films to the Borders for Diversity Week.

The Scottish Borders LGBT Equality group are hosting a day-long film festival dedicated to LGBT issues.

The day showcases feature films and a selection of independent shorts, including last year's acclaimed 'Landline' which highlights the struggles of LGBT+ farmers across the UK through conversations using a helpline dedicated to LGBT farmers by a Cheshire chaplain in 2010.

Landline's director Rupert Williams will also take part in a Q&A session

Susan Hart, Chairperson for the Scottish Borders LGBT Equality explained why the short was important to show at the festival: "Our organisation has spoken to people from the agricultural sector, and they didn't feel they could return to their jobs after coming out or transitioning.

"We've had trans-women say they don't feel comfortable going back to a job where they used to be male presenting.

"When you work in agriculture you're in a very rural setting, your access to services is limited. Loneliness and isolation really heighten any issues you're having."

The charity has worked since 2006 to bring LGBT+ causes to the region and hope to make the film festival part of their annual events calendar.

Susan told us: "What we're trying to do is give the same film opportunities to people in the Borders as the cities.

"Every so often you get big-budget films which mention LGBT but rarely do you get films in this area which highlight different gender identities."

The festival's selection of short films were chosen with Behind the Curtain at the Cornucopia Room, Hawick, who will host the screenings.

The two feature films, Pride - which documents the collaboration of an LGBT+ group and the small Welsh village of Onllwyn during the Miners' Strike - and The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

"We're creating a safe space for LGBT+ people but members of the public are most definitely invited to the festival," says Susan. "The films are open to the whole community.

"If you can change perspectives, you can change behaviours. "

Although currently part of Diversity Week and only lasting a day, Susan hopes in the future that the festival can grow: "We hope in the future the festival can stand on its own and not be part of an awareness week, but be part of a year round celebration of LGBT life.

"Down the road we'll look to have the festival cover a weekend across the Borders as we want to reach out to those in rural areas."

The festival isn't the only event Scottish Borders LGBT Equality will be putting on next week. They have also collaborated with LEAP Sports to provide a training day specifically for LGBT+ awareness on September 25.

The training is designed for sports organisations, clubs and leisure trusts and is open to people at all levels, whether they're a manager, coach or volunteer.

Susan says: "We live in an exceptionally sporty area but there's not a lot of equality and diversity training. Within sport, coming out can be really difficult.

"Seeing people like Gareth Thomas and Tom Daly who are open about their identities is really helpful."

From 12pm to 4pm on Saturday, September 28th, festival goers will be able to pick up any LGBT merchandise, such as flags or pins, and also have the chance to talk with the team at the stalls set up in the Heart of Hawick café.

The festival will run from 12pm until 11pm in both Heart of Hawick and the Cornucopia Room, with a performance from Kezza Kaz after 9pm.

To book on to the LEAP Sports training day email lgbtborders@gmail.com or lizzie.MacLeish@borders.scot.nhs.uk.

The Queer Borders film festival tickets can be bought at https://uk.patronbase.com/_HeartOfHawick/Productions or can be purchased on the door. Heart of Hawick screenings are £5 and the short screening are free.

Queer Borders is supported by Film Hub Scotland, part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, and funded

by Screen Scotland and Lottery funding from the BFI.