Ways to Gain Free Journal Access ?

Hi everyone.

I'm currently between MA and PhD and am starting to put together PhD applications. I really want to be reading around my subject (Film and Television Studies) as much as possible - there are loads of amazing journals that I'd love to read but I can't find a way to access them without massive costs.

I have JSTOR access through my Cambridge Alumni account but this extremely limited. I am otherwise not currently associated with a specific university and my old logins have expired.

Does anyone know of alternative ways to gain access without having to pay the fees? Has anyone tried contacting journals and enquiring about free access? Is there any way around it?

Any ideas welcome!