One year ago, Fiona Lali, leading member of the Revolutionary Communist Party, was in the midst of her election campaign as an independent candidate in Stratford and Bow.
In the run-up to election day, East London became a place where the presence of revolutionary communists was felt everywhere. While most people felt no enthusiasm for either Labour or the Tories, Fiona’s communist election campaign was like a breath of fresh air.
One of those who felt inspired was film director Teilo Vellacott, who asked to document the campaign. The film is now complete, and Alborada Films are putting on its world premiere—right in the heart of East London at Genesis Cinema in Mile End on July 5th.
Not politicians, but revolutionaries
The documentary captures what it means to be a member of the RCP. The film is entirely observational. There are no interviews to camera. Instead, it follows members as they connect with workers and young people in East London.
Fiona, together with more than hundreds of volunteers, knocked on thousands of doors, held street rallies, and organised open meetings. Standing on an unapologetic communist programme, she stood out miles from the rest of the candidates.
At the launch meeting of the campaign, Fiona said:
“Whether it’s war crimes in Palestine, or austerity in this country, we want to tackle these problems at their root, which is the capitalist system underpinning them all. We have war criminals to bring down, and a world to win.”
Campaign taking off
The programme and ideas connected with hundreds of people and reached far beyond just Stratford and Bow. Fiona regularly went viral on social media, speaking on issues such as Palestine, imperialist war, anti-austerity, and the need to fight capitalism.
In the first few weeks, 400 volunteers signed up to the campaign. Over 100,000 leaflets and posters were printed and distributed. The campaign raised £10,000 from sympathisers.
Every day, RCP members were involved in activities to help reach people with our ideas.
“The best responses we were getting weren’t just from people who recognised me,” Fiona explained, “but from passers-by who could hear the speeches outside Stratford station and then came over to find out more about us.”
Many of these moments were documented by Teilo, who filmed the interactions Fiona and her comrades had with members of the public. It captures the dedication our comrades have for the ideas, and that they are prepared to fight for them. Many of those who volunteered travelled from across the UK and stayed for days in London to help out.
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During the last weekend before the election day, The RCP organised a rally with 300 people, who then marched through Stratford. The mood was electric. Cars were beeping, red flags waving in the air and revolutionary chants echoing on the streets.
On the day of the election, comrades were out on the streets of east London from early morning to late in the evening. The campaign was an experience in which we feel enormous pride in what we achieved. In the end, Fiona got 1,791 votes. It was a very respectable result for a candidate who called for communist revolution. But more than this, the election campaign put us on the map.
The premiere will be followed by a live discussion and Q&A with Fiona Lali and the film’s director Teilo Vellacott. Tickets can be bought here.
World Premiere in East London, UK
🎞️ Independent Candidate (Documentary Screening + Live Q&A)
46 minutes, 2025, Actual Fact & Alborada Films, Directed by Teilo Vellacott 🗓️Saturday 5 July, 1.30pm-3.30pm
The film starts at 2pm and will be followed by a live Q&A with the film’s director and Fiona Lali (RCP), who features in the film. Chaired by Pablo Navarrete (Alborada Films) & Sam Liebmann (Filmmaker). At 1.40pm we will screen FIDSA Newsreel Nr. 2 (10 mins), which will be introduced by its director Rodrigo Vázquez Salessi.
📍 Genesis Cinema, 93-95 Mile End Rd, Bethnal Green, London E1 4UJ
🎟️ MORE INFO/TICKETS: https://www.genesiscinema.co.uk/event/99091https://alboradafilms.net/events/
Event supported by Santiago Alvarez In Memoriam International Documentary Film Festival (FIDSA)
