I Am Michael was added to next month's (Sep15) independent film festival, which is sponsored by the embassy, on Friday (21Aug15), and is sure to upset Russian officials who have banned artistic displays of homosexuality and gay propaganda from their cities.

The film chronicles a real-life gay activist, played by Franco, who turns his back on his homosexuality and becomes a Christian pastor with a girlfriend.

Russia's anti-gay propaganda law from 2013 does not explicitly ban homosexual-themed films, but subjecting Russian youths under the age of 18 to gay behaviour and images is now considered a crime.

It's unlikely I Am Michael will be banned from the festival as LGBT-themed British film Pride is currently playing in Russian cinemas.