2025 Best British

Trailblazers

Alia and Muz are Pakistani-Welsh queer chosen siblings who overcome rejection and forge a path towards inclusivity. While being part of the local house ballroom scene, they soon meet Aiman, who compels them to form a trio as an Asian artist's collective in Wales. Trailblazers follow their journey in reclaiming their identities, preserving their cultural heritage, and empowering Asian queer artists who refuse to let their families' rejection define them.

DIRECTOR:

Sobia Bushra (She/Her/Hers)

PRODUCER:

Ronan Williams

RELEASE YEAR:

2024

Wales, 18 mins

Mae Alia a Muz yn frawd a c chwaer cwiar, dewisedig o Bacistan a Chymru sy’n goresgyn gwrthod ac yn creu llwybr tuag at gynhwysiant. Wrth fod yn rhan o’r sîn dawnsio tŷ leol, maent yn cwrdd ag Aiman yn fuan, sy’n eu gorfodi i ffurfio triawd fel cydweithfa artistiaid Asiaidd yng Nghymru. Mae Trailblazers yn dilyn eu taith wrth adennill eu hunaniaethau, gwarchod eu treftadaeth ddiwylliannol, a grymuso artistiaid cwiar Asiaidd sy’n gwrthod gadael i wrthodiad eu teuluoedd eu diffinio.

Sobia Bushra_Dorector_Trailblazers

Sobia Bushra is a filmmaker, community cinema organiser and PhD student in Cardiff, Wales. Living as a queer Bangladeshi refugee, she sought to represent the unique and challenging experiences of South Asian LGBTQ+ artists in the UK through directing the documentary, Trailblazers – a 2025 Iris Prize Best British Short nominee.

Mae Sobia Bushra yn wneuthurwr ffilmiau, trefnydd sinema cymunedol a myfyrwraig PhD yng Nghaerdydd, Cymru. Gan fyw fel ffoadur cwiar o Bangladesh, ceisiodd gynrychioli profiadau unigryw a heriol artistiaid LHDTQ+ De Asia yn y DU trwy gyfarwyddo’r rhaglen ddogfen, Trailblazers – a enwebwyd am Wobr Iris am y Ffilm Fer Gorau Ym Mhrydain yn 2025.

2025 Best British Shortlist

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