Self Expression - Layla a non-binary, British-Palestinian drag queen navigates their expression of identity.

Rising star Bilal Hasna delivers a show-stopping turn as Layla, who we first meet in drag and on their way to a performance. Layla initially seems comfortable with their queer, trans identity, but all that changes when they fall in love with Max (Louis Greatorex). We see Layla acting differently whether they are with Max, their friendship group and their conservative parents as they struggle, notes Al-Kadhi, to 'negotiate which bit of themselves to show different people in their lives'.

- By Elizabeth Aubrey

I was very frustrated with the lack of roles I was auditioning for as an Arab, queer actor,' Amrou Al-Kadhi says of their start in the industry. The British-Palestinian trans artist instead started writing and directing characters for queer Arabs to inhabit - as in Layla, the joyous story of a trans creative. 'I realised I felt most free, liberated and happy when I was creating universes, stories and roles I wish could have existed when I started out.'