Ian McKellen to star in film directed by Windsor teen exploring LGBTQ+ history

Veteran actor Ian McKellen will star in a new film exploring LGBTQ+ history, set to premiere at the upcoming Windsor & Eton Pride.

Dragged Through Time is the brainchild of 14-year-old director Jacob Franklin from Windsor and explores why events from history matter in the modern world.

The film is being made by Windsor-based youth drama company Notice Productions and will premiere at the event on Saturday, July 26.

The events covered range from the secret Molly Houses of Georgian London where LGBTQ+ people would gather at the risk of persecution, to campaigning by the Gay Liberation Front.

The film also explores the impact of Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988, which prohibited schools and councils from ‘promoting homosexuality by teaching or by publishing material’.

The piece also highlights the way LGBTQ+ survivors of the Holocaust were treated even after the war.

Alongside its hard-hitting drama, the film features extensive costume design, dance sequences, an original music score and underwater scenes.

Jacob’s motivation behind making the film was to shine a spotlight on LGBTQ+ issues.  

The team have spent numerous evenings and weekends across recent months working to bring the film to life.

Jacob said: “I wanted to make this film because there aren’t a lot of [LGBTQ+] history films for young people.

“History teaches us that things can sadly go backwards as well as forwards for [LGBTQ+] people.

“But it also teaches us there have been many positives, whether Ancient Greece or the Gay Liberation Front.”

In the film, Ian McKellen plays the role of great uncle Peter.

Peter is an older gay character, who like many his age, have been unable to be fully open about their sexuality with family and friends.

Discussing Ian McKellen’s involvement, Jacob added: “It was inspiring to have Ian McKellen involved, not only because he is a great professional actor, but more because he fought for gay rights.”

July’s Windsor & Eton Pride event is taking place in the town for the first time and is open to everyone.

The event will kick off with a muster at 10.30am, followed by a parade on the Long Walk at 11.45am.

The main festival will take place in Alexandra Gardens from noon to 10pm.

The event looks to bring the whole community together and is free, but a ticket is required to enter.

There will be a range of performances to enjoy across three stages, as well as a karaoke lounge and a pride village featuring an array of stalls and food and drink outlets.

Steve Harris, chair of the pride event, said: “This Pride event is for everyone, not just those who identify as LGBTQ.

“We are particularly proud of how we have involved young people such as Jacob and the Notice Productions team.

“But equally important is how we are making the event fully accessible.

“With two of our trustees having MS, this is especially important to our mission.

“We want this first Windsor Pride to be a landmark date in Windsor’s rich and varied history.”

Tickets to Pride can be obtained at: https://www.windsorpride.co.uk/wep2025_tickets/

For more information about the event, visit: www.windsorpride.co.uk