The Line We Crossed

A British story of dissent, drawn from the frontlines of climate resistance. Through the experiences of those who stood in defiance, it traces the quiet unraveling of our protest rights.

Following a successful theatrical run, the feature documentary The Line We Crossed is now available to buy or rent online.

In-person screenings with discussion panels will continue in 2026.

If you’d like to host a screening please get in touch.

The Issues

How to support and tackle the issues raised in the film.

The Participants

Find out more about the participants in the film

The Soundtrack

Listen to the soundtrack

“Must watch! Be afraid! This film shows how Britain is sliding towards a police state, with anti-protest laws similar to Putin’s Russia.”

"This is such an important film as it brings to life some of the ways in which protest and dissent are being criminalised in the present. We often study, read about, or see these trends mentioned in the news, but we often don't fully understand what that means when it comes to people's lived experiences of trying to challenge the climate crisis and oppose the ecological harm that is being done a daily basis, as well as the way in which the state and judicial system act to thwart these attempts to prevent that harm by climate defenders."

“Our fundamental rights to freedom of speech and to peaceful protest are under unprecedented assault, with grave damage being done to our democracy on an almost daily basis. Liz Smith’s brilliant and compelling film,’The Line We Crossed’, provides the kind of empathetic insights into today’s climate and democracy movements that the mainstream media have no interest in at all. Please do track down a screening - and strike one small blow for freedom!”

“The Line We Crossed starts with a powerful portrait of civil disobedience in the climate justice movement, but by the end it feels more like a political thriller as activists are picked off the streets by police and jailed for crimes they have not committed. It’s a vital account of the growing draconian powers attempting to eradicate peaceful protest."

"Absolutely bone chilling. To say it's an eye opener is an understatement. It is vital viewing for anyone who believes in the right to freedom of expression & peaceful protest"

"It was a devastating yet vital look at the creeping erosion of our protest rights in the UK. The film was a rollercoaster, full of the joys of resistance and the shocking set backs experienced by those fighting to bring about urgent change on the current climate emergency."

"Moving, brilliantly made and shocking"

Press Release: The Line We Crossed Now Available to Stream

December 16, 2025 No Comments

Following a powerful and far-reaching theatrical run, the feature documentary The Line We Crossed is now available to buy or rent online.

REQUIEM FOR PROTEST II

December 10, 2025 No Comments

The second short film in a series we are making documenting the LIFT THE BAN protests.

REQUIEM FOR PROTEST

October 12, 2025 2 Comments

A 13 minute piece created from the “Lift The Ban” protest in Trafalgar Square on 4 Oct 2025 incorporating words from policiticians past and present. We did not heed their warnings in 1999, will we heed their warnings today?

In Conversation With Jonathon Porritt

October 7, 2025 No Comments

Liz Smith and Jonathon Porritt discuss their work documenting stories of Just Stop Oil activists, the evolution of the campaiging group Defend Our Juries and the battle to protect our planet and human rights.

PRESS RELEASE: The Line We Crossed – Documentary Exposing Erosion of Protest Rights Gets Extended Run in UK Cinemas this Autumn

August 18, 2025 No Comments

The Line We Crossed will continue to be screened in cinemas as interest grows on the backdrop of the further repression of protest rights.

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