Free Radical Film Festival 2026

The Liberation News Service was one of the most influential underground media publications of its time. It contributed to hundreds of newspapers, college publications, and radio stations between 1967 and 1981. Featuring interviews with former staff, journalists and activists, the film incorporates historical footage from the period. 

Why you must watch this: When thinking about revolutionary movements, we don’t often think about people behind typewriters or printing rooms. However, most revolutions need to produce their own information and make it circulate. This is the story of the underground press as a form of political resistance, showcasing the massive role that the Liberation News Service had for over twenty years. This documentary allows to shed light on those who help the revolution happen but are not necessarily on their front-line. 

Synopsis: This documentary traces the story of The Weather Underground, a collective founded in 1969, in the midst of the Vietnam War. Its stated goal: overthrowing the US government. Nominated for the 2004 Oscar for the Best Documentary. Archive footage is mixed with interviews of former members of the Weather Underground. 

Why you must watch this: Whilst peaceful activists were highly represented in the Vietnam War narrative, this documentary points at another form of activism, a more violent and radical one. The Weather Underground were not a topic of discussion in many history books due to their quite aggressive tactics, such as their massive bomb campaign targeting US-officials. This documentary travels back to that time-period without taking sides presents this history in a neutral journalistic way. 

This is the first feature length documentary exploring the Black Panther Party, its cultural and political awakening for Black people, its significance to broader American culture, and the painful lessons wrought when a movement eventually derails. The director goes straight to the source, weaving a treasure trove of rare archival footage with the voices of the people who were there. From members of the Black Panthers, supporters, journalists, to even police officers or FBI informants, the documentary explores testimonies of those who were there, on one side, the other, or sometimes both.

Why you must watch this: While some documents on the Black Panthers are romanticized, this documentary is trying to remain as neutral as it can. Presenting the context, the impact, and the protagonists, it is one of the most loyal material on the subject. Also, the director is well-known for being very engaged politically and having a close relationship with the movement. 

Synopsis: This documentary traces the story of The Weather Underground, a collective founded in 1969, in the midst of the Vietnam War. Its stated goal: overthrowing the US government. Nominated for the 2004 Oscar for the Best Documentary. Archive footage is mixed with interviews of former members of the Weather Underground. 

Why you must watch this: Whilst peaceful activists were highly represented in the Vietnam War narrative, this documentary points at another form of activism, a more violent and radical one. The Weather Underground were not a topic of discussion in many history books due to their quite aggressive tactics, such as their massive bomb campaign targeting US-officials. This documentary travels back to that time-period without taking sides presents this history in a neutral journalistic way. 

The Liberation News Service was one of the most influential underground media publications of its time. It contributed to hundreds of newspapers, college publications, and radio stations between 1967 and 1981. Featuring interviews with former staff, journalists and activists, the film incorporates historical footage from the period. 

Why you must watch this: When thinking about revolutionary movements, we don’t often think about people behind typewriters or printing rooms. However, most revolutions need to produce their own information and make it circulate. This is the story of the underground press as a form of political resistance, showcasing the massive role that the Liberation News Service had for over twenty years. This documentary allows to shed light on those who help the revolution happen but are not necessarily on their front-line.