A powerful new documentary examining who really owns England’s countryside will be shown for free at cinemas across Lancashire next month.
Our Land will screen on May 5 and 6 as part of Escapes, a nationwide cinema initiative supported by the BFI through National Lottery funding.
More than 110 independent cinemas will take part, giving audiences an early chance to see the film ahead of its UK-wide release on May 8, 2026.
The feature-length documentary follows landowners and Right to Roam campaigners as tensions grow around public access to England’s rural landscapes.
Despite the countryside often being seen as a shared national treasure, research shows that 92 per cent of land and 97 per cent of all rivers in England are not legally accessible to the public.
In recent years, campaigners have organised high-profile "mass trespass" protests in a bid to challenge long-standing restrictions on access. These events have brought them into direct conflict with private landowners, who argue they are responsible for protecting and managing the land.
Our Land gives space to both sides of the debate, amplifying the voices of those calling for greater freedom to explore nature, alongside landowners who see themselves as custodians of the countryside.
The film also showcases England’s rural landscapes on the big screen, highlighting both their beauty and the controversies surrounding them.
Director Orban Wallace said the subject matter was deeply personal.
"I grew up in the Dorset countryside in a rented cottage deep in the forest of a private estate," he said.
"Even though we lived in the woods we were not allowed in them as they were private. I regularly had run-ins with the gamekeeper who would tell us to get out.
"I was a trespasser by necessity from a very young age."
Escapes was launched in 2024 with the aim of making cinema more accessible, particularly for those less likely to attend screenings due to cost or availability.
Every month, the initiative offers more than 100 free cinema screenings nationwide, celebrating independent venues and encouraging new audiences to visit their local cinemas.
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Lancashire cinemas taking part include The Island Cinema (St Annes), and the Reel Cinemas in Blackburn, Burnley, Chorley, and Morecambe.
Since its launch, more than 220,000 free cinema tickets have been claimed. Recent films shown through the scheme include British drama I Swear, prison thriller Wasteman, Japanese horror Exit 8, and cult French romantic comedy Amélie.
Our Land will screen for free at over 110 UK independent cinemas on May 5 and 6. Tickets are available now via escapetothecinema.co.uk.
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