Opening this year’s festival is the Australian Premiere of BLITZ, Steve McQueen’s visually stunning period drama depicting pivotal moments of World War II in London and starring Saoirse Ronan, Paul Weller and brilliant newcomer Elliot Heffernan. Closing the festival is another exciting exclusive, the premiere of the highly anticipated WE LIVE IN TIME. With beautifully nuanced performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, this heart rendering romance delves into the profound question of how to make the most of the time we have in this world.

The 2024 Festival Centrepiece is Mike Leigh’s latest film HARD TRUTHS, which reunites him with the brilliant Marianne Jean-Baptiste in a darkly humorous and insightful exploration of family dynamics. The film examines a hypersensitive woman’s impact on her family, blending compassion with Leigh’s signature attention to detail.

Fresh from its UK release comes THE OUTRUN with Saoirse Ronan once again in the lead role. After a turbulent life in London, Rona returns to the untamed beauty of Scotland’s Orkney Islands, her childhood home, seeking to reconcile with her troubled past and find healing.

Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche star in THE RETURN, an adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey. Exuding the classical essence of the Greek epic with a distinctly British spin, The Return offers a meticulously measured classical work with an all-star cast. The film premieres in the festival ahead of the UK release.

British/French co-production WIDOW CLICQUOT tells a rousing true story offering an effervescent portrait of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, the “Grande Dame of Champagne,” otherwise known as Veuve Clicquot.

Another Australian Premiere is Aylin Tezel’s directorial debut FALLING INTO PLACE. This tender drama follows Kira (played by Tezel) and Ian, each fleeing their own personal struggles, who cross paths during a winter weekend on the Isle of Skye. Their connection is profound but when they return to London, they must confront their past. We are delighted to announce that Tezel will be joining audiences in person in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane for a series of Q&A events.

Plunging audiences into Tudor times is the historical drama FIREBRAND. Set during the final months of King Henry VIII’s reign, his sixth wife, Katherine Parr, faces the perilous challenges of the Tudor court. Alicia Vikander and Jude Law lead a gripping historical drama about power and survival.

In special screenings the adaptation of the best-selling novel of the same name, CONCLAVE, stars Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence who is entrusted with the secretive task of selecting a new Pope, but in the Vatican’s sacred halls, uncovers secrets that could destabilize the Roman Catholic Church.

Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter lead a commanding ensemble cast in FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE, Polly Steele’s tender story follows Nicholas and Isabel who are destined for each other, but their path to true love is anything but straightforward.

Other romantic dramas include THE SALT PATH starring Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs in career best performances as a couple who embark on a 630-mile coastal walk after losing their home and facing a terminal diagnosis. And THIS TIME NEXT YEAR about Minnie and Quinn who are born just one minute apart on the same day, yet their lives take completely different paths. Years later, a chance encounter offers the perfect moment to take a chance on love.

Andrea Arnold’s latest film BIRD follows 12-year-old Bailey, who seeks solace in nature as her distracted father remarries. Through a mysterious encounter, Bailey gains strength to confront her mother’s abusive partner, exploring themes of identity and resilience. The film stars Barry Keoghan.

In a special music themed sidebar ‘Brit Rock to Brit Pop’, renowned documentarian Nick Broomfield uncovers the true story of Brian Jones, the creative force and heartbreaker behind what would become the world’s greatest rock band The Rolling Stones in THE STONES AND BRIAN JONES; Iconic rock band Led Zeppelin’s electrifying 1973 Madison

Square Garden performances are captured in THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME, interwoven with surreal fantasy sequences reflecting the band members’ personas. Fast forward to the Brit Pop era with BLUR: LIVE AT WEMBLEY STADIUM, an epic two-hour concert film immortalising Blur’s historic 2023 show at Wembley Stadium which saw the band perform their iconic and much-loved songs for 150,000 adoring fans plus doco BLUR: TO THE END, depicting the most recent chapter in the band’s story, captured during the period in which they made a surprise – and emotional – return with their first record in 8 years, the critically acclaimed #1 album The Ballad of Darren.

Unconventional rom-com AND MRS tells the tale of a hesitant bride-to-be who loses her fiancé unexpectedly. She is determined to proceed with the wedding, pledging to defy public opinion, legal barriers, and the objections of her loved ones; offbeat comedy, THE RADLEYS, depicts the family of the same name who appear to be an ordinary family, but are hiding a dark secret: they’re vampires. And in CHUCK CHUCK BABY, Helen’s dull life takes an unexpected romantic twist when her charismatic childhood friend Joanne returns.

Moving, funny, and charming, this musical rom-com set in a Welsh chicken processing plant is delightfully unexpected.

Guaranteed to deliver a chuckle is THE PROBLEM WITH PEOPLE. Festival favourite Colm Meaney and US comedian Paul Reiser star as estranged cousins who, despite never having met, must resolve a generation’s worth of family disputes – before they start another one!

Time-bending dark comedy TIMESTALKER follows a woman’s obsession with the same bad boy spanning six centuries offering a razor-sharp commentary on obsession and desire; whilst in TUESDAY, starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus, a mother and daughter are forced to face Death when it appears in an unexpected form.

POISON is an intimate exploration of grief and healing, featuring powerful performances by Tim Roth and Trine Dyrholm. Focusing on Lucas and Edith, a once-married couple estranged for ten years who reunite under unexpected circumstances.

In EDGE OF SUMMER, two 11-year-olds, drawn together during a summer holiday, embark on an adventure to uncover the mystery of who or what is calling to them from the depths of an abandoned tin mine, inspired by an old folk tale; GREY MATTER is a drama based on true events following troubled teen Chloe Isles as she becomes her grandmother Peg’s carer and in LIES WE TELL, an orphaned heiress battles her sinister uncle’s schemes to claim her inheritance. As danger mounts, she defies Gothic conventions, seizing control of her fate in a feminist reimagining of Uncle Silas.

Marking its 25th anniversary and presented in a new 4K restoration is Lynne Ramsay’s stunning and confident debut feature RATCATCHER, a haunting portrayal of a troubled childhood.

In tribute to the late Dame Maggie Smith, James Ivory’s classic melodrama A ROOM WITH A VIEW will be screened in the festival. The film follows Lucy, a young Englishwoman on a tour of Florence (played by Helena Bonham Carter) who is chaperoned by her cousin (played by Smith), as a series of events challenge her societal expectations.

A newly released documentary MERCHANT IVORY focuses on the 44-film collaboration of Ismail Merchant and James Ivory who delivered decades of acclaimed dramas to audiences. Now, at 95, Ivory and key collaborators reflect on the production company’s lasting impact on arthouse cinema.

THE SHAMROCK SPITFIRE follows Brendan “Paddy” Finucane, an Irishman who rises from eager RAF recruit to legendary fighter ace and the youngest Wing Commander during WWII, leading his squadron to historic fame.

A retrospective entitled ‘History Restored’ features a selection of British classics that are all historic dramas. Presented in a new 4K restoration, iconic work A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS examines Sir Thomas More’s moral stand against King Henry VIII’s divorce, and won six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor; based on the novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, James Ivory’s epic melodrama HEAT AND DUST explores two parallel stories of love and cultural clash in 1920’s India; Kenneth Branagh’s 1989 rendition of HENRY V is a gritty adaptation of Shakespeare’s play, acclaimed for his direction and performance; THE LION IN WINTER starring Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn in a tale of King Henry II’s family power struggles and THE MUSIC LOVERS, a bold exploration of classical composer Tchaikovsky’s tumultuous life, with intense performances from Richard Chamberlain and Glenda Jackson.

The festival opens on Wednesday 6 November in Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Perth Byron Bay, Canberra and Brisbane and Thursday 7 November in Sydney, concluding on Sunday 8 December in all cities.

Tickets are now on sale!

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Melbourne: 6 November – 8 December, The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema
Ballarat: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Regent Ballarat
Canberra: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
Byron Bay: 6 November – 8 December, Palace Byron Bay
Sydney: 7 November – 8 December, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

It is with great delight we announce that the festival will include the recently opened Palace Regent Ballarat in Victoria in its national locations, bringing the first taste of the Palace film festival experience to the region.

The Festival is also pleased to welcome aboard naming partner Russell Hobbs, the iconically British appliance brand, established in Britain in 1952.

Dean Hammerton, Brand & Communications Manager, Asia Pacific says “We are very honoured to lead the partnership with Palace Cinemas at this year’s Russell Hobbs British Film Festival. Since the day Bill Russell and Peter Hobbs founded Russell Hobbs in Surrey UK, we’ve always done things in a recognisably British way with the goal of making everyday life a little bit easier. As a proud British brand, with a dash of style and history intertwined – we are very excited to support the celebration of British cinema and culture.”

Opening this year’s festival is the Premiere of BLITZ, Steve McQueen’s visually stunning period drama depicting pivotal moments of World War II in London. The powerful and sweeping portrayal of British life during these events, which arrives direct from its London Film Festival Premiere, features stellar central performances from Saoirse Ronan and Paul Weller, in addition to exceptional newcomer Elliot Heffernen who plays 9 year old George.

Closing this year’s Festival is the exclusive Australian Premiere of the highly anticipated WE LIVE IN TIME. Featuring beautifully nuanced performances from Oscar nominees Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, this heart rendering romance delves into the profound question of how to make the most of the time we have in this world.

Screening in special Festival previews one week prior to official opening, and during the festival, is WIDOW CLICQUOT. This British/French co-production based on a true story offers an effervescent portrait of Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin, the “Grande Dame of Champagne,” otherwise known as Veuve Clicquot.

Aylin Tezel’s directorial debut FALLING INTO PLACE is screening in its Australian Premiere at the Festival. The tender drama follows Kira (played by Tezel) and Ian, each fleeing their own personal struggles, who cross paths during a winter weekend on the Isle of Skye. Their connection is profound but when they return to London, they must both confront their past.

The Festival is excited to present the romance FOUR LETTERS OF LOVE, featuring a commanding ensemble cast including Pierce Brosnan and Helena Bonham Carter. Polly Steele’s beautiful story follows Nicholas and Isabel who are destined for each other, As ghosts, fate and the sheer power of true love pull them together, so too does life threaten to tear them apart.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival opens on Wednesday 6 November in Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Perth Byron Bay, Canberra and Brisbane and Thursday 7 November in Sydney, concluding on Sunday 8 December in all cities.

The full programme to be announced and tickets on sale in mid-October.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Melbourne: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema
Ballarat: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Regent Ballarat
Canberra: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
Byron Bay: 6 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Byron Bay
Sydney: 7 Nov – 8 Dec, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

They created one of the world’s most visible graphic designs with their album cover for Pink Floyd’s Dark Side Of The Moon and this is just the tip of the iceberg. Their story is a fascinating one and it parallels the history of some megalithic bands from back in the sixties and seventies.

Fans of artists such as the above-mentioned Floyd, Peter Gabriel, The Nice, 10cc and Led Zeppelin will find much fascination with the views of various talking heads and their behind-the-scenes tales. Some of the stories of Zepp’s formidable manager, Peter Grant are particularly interesting.

As a time capsule about the wild sixties, seventies and eighties in the music business in London, Squaring the Circle scores top marks. As an insider’s view of the previously mentioned bands it’s solid gold. A quote in the film rings out “vinyl is the poor man’s art collection” as anyone with even a modest collection of physical music media from those days will have many products from the creative minds of behind Hipgnosis.
Rob Hudson

Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis screenings in Brisbane
PALACE BARRACKS
Thursday 9 November 3:50pm
Wednesday 15 November 4:00pm
Tuesday 21 November 1:30pm
Thursday 23 November 6:15pm
Monday 27 November 1:40pm

PALACE JAMES ST
Friday 10 November 11:00am
Tuesday 14 November 4:00pm
Wednesday 22 November 6:15pm
Tuesday 28 November 11:15am

The British Film Festival runs in Brisbane from 2 November – 29 November and will take place at the Palace James Street and Palace Barracks cinemas.

Click here for more information about the festival, or head to the official website for more information and to book your tickets!
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au/

He has consistently staked out his own territory in the industry. A space that often includes amateur or non-actor cast members and stories cut from the swatch of real life. This results in outstanding work that is socially relevant and emotionally satisfying but it’s a risky proposal.

The Old Oak is topical and relevant but those risks outweigh the end results somewhat. The acting is underwhelming and counter to Loach’s usual emotional accuracy this work feels forced and overly sentimental. Its final resolve also lacks the underlying storyline to feel realistic.

When you care about an artist’s work you need to experience it in its totality and as Loach has never strived for pure entertainment, knowing that going in, The Old Oak is worth viewing under that context. Its message is still relevant even if the delivery isn’t as stellar as usual.
Rob Hudson

The Old Oak screenings in Brisbane
PALACE BARRACKS
Friday 3 November 8:00pm
Sunday 5 November 1:30pm
Saturday 11 November 8:10pm
Monday 13 November 8:00pm
Friday 17 November 6:15pm
Sunday 19 November 3:10pm
Monday 20 November 6:15pm

PALACE JAMES ST
Saturday 4 November 8:15pm
Sunday 5 November 6:00pm
Friday 10 November 6:30pm
Saturday 11 November 4:00pm
Thursday 16 November 6:20pm
Saturday 18 November 1:20pm
Sunday 19 November 1:30pm

The British Film Festival runs in Brisbane from 2 November – 29 November and will take place at the Palace James Street and Palace Barracks cinemas.

Click here for more information about the festival, or head to the official website for more information and to book your tickets!
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au/

In the early forties there was no certainty that Hitler and the Nazis would be defeated and Britain was on the precipice of defeat. The German bombing of England was relentless and lasted eight months. This led to the death of 43.000 poor souls. The RAF Spitfires ultimately saved the day but there was cause to retaliate and thus the need for a bomber with greater capabilities.

There were bombers in the fleet and also in production but they were inadequate for the task at hand. Into this void came the Lancaster. Its four conventional engine format and up to date electronics made it advanced to the existing pool of airships. It’s not an overstatement to say they was pivotal in helping to turn the tide of the war.

The history of the plane’s creation and construction is streamlined as the emphasis is on the human side of the story. The first-hand stories are fascinating. Tales about how the crews came together and adapted to the cramp confines in the ship are particularly interesting. Through the triumphs and tragedies, this is an amazing tale of man and machine.
Rob Hudson

Lancaster Screenings in Brisbane
PALACE BARRACKS
Monday 31 October 3:40 PM
Wednesday 9 November 1:20 PM
Monday 14 November 1:40 PM

PALACE JAMES ST
Tuesday 1 November 2:00 PM
Thursday 3 November 6:10 PM
Tuesday 8 November 1:10 PM
Tuesday 15 November 1:40 PM

The British Film Festival runs in Brisbane from 19 October — 16 November 2022 and will take place at the Palace James Street and Palace Barracks cinemas.

Click here for more information about the festival, or head to the official website for more information and to book your tickets!
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

The album went gold selling over 150,000 copies and in these days of streaming that is an impressive number. With that surprise success, media attention and a film based on their story was inevitable. The first film did well and now part two gets a release. The first version was a feel-good story and the second continues with that momentum.

The story that has been built around the facts feels very contrived but that does little to dull the joy. Who doesn’t love a good sea shanty and the singers tasked with recreating the actual voices used in the songs in the movie have excellent voices and they harmonise wonderfully.

This film is a crowd pleaser and peppering the final credits with actual footage of the real group playing the most unlikely of gigs helps sell the fantasy. If you grew up in the UK you will probably have a few of these earworms songs upstairs already. For the rest of us, they will easily sink into the grey matter.
Rob Hudson

Fisherman’s Friends: One and All screenings in Brisbane
PALACE JAMES ST
Friday 21 October 8:30 PM
Saturday 22 October 6:10 PM
Sunday 30 October 3:45 PM
Saturday 5 November 6:10 PM
Friday 11 November 6:15 PM
Saturday 12 November 8:30 PM

PALACE BARRACKS
Sunday 23 October 3:45 PM
Friday 28 October 8:10 PM
Saturday 29 October 8:45 PM
Friday 4 November 6:10 PM
Saturday 5 November 8:20 PM
Sunday 13 November 3:50 PM

The British Film Festival runs in Brisbane from 19 October — 16 November 2022 and will take place at the Palace James Street and Palace Barracks cinemas.

Click here for more information about the festival, or head to the official website for more information and to book your tickets!
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

The film starts when his protest against the TV levee that the Poms inflicted back in the sixties lands him in jail where he does time. Broadbent is perfectly cast as the heart of gold Bunton as is the always impeccable Helen Mirren as his long-suffering wife Dorothy. His activities escalate until he is accused of stealing a portrait of the Duke of Wellington by the Spanish painter Goya.

Getting the components correct for a true feel-good experience is not an easy task. It’s a fine line between motivation and maudlin and The Duke is an expert at keeping that balance just right. Don’t miss the opportunity to spend some quality time with this easy going treasure of a film.
Rob Hudson

The Duke screenings in Brisbane
Palace Barracks
Wednesday 17, November 3:45 PM
Sunday 21, November 3:30 PM
Wednesday 24, November 1:30 PM
Friday 26, November 6:15 PM
Monday 29, November 10:50 AM

Palace James St
Tuesday 16, November 1:30 PM
Saturday 20, November 8:30 PM
Sunday 21, November 1:30 PM
Tuesday 23, November 1:30 PM
Saturday 27, November 5:45 PM
Tuesday 30, November 1:30 PM

The British Film Festival takes place in Brisbane from Wednesday 3 November until Wednesday 1 December and films will be shown exclusively at the Palace Barracks and James St Cinemas. Click here for more information about the festival, or head to the official website for more information and to book your tickets!
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

Telling the tale of his father Maurice Broomfield who is now considered one of history’s finest industrial photographers, filmmaker Nick Broomfield delivers a brilliant story that works on so many levels. His father vividly recorded the post World War II height of the British industrial age with still photos that are amazing in their technical brilliance and humanist subject matter. These frame the most human of stories, that of father and son.

Nick’s relationship with his father goes through the changes that mirror real life and these are mapped alongside the decline of the great British industries. Being from a family that cherished the visual image both still and moving gave the filmmaker access to a large collection of recorded images and these are used to the fullest advantage. As a historical document of a fading age, it is sublime and as the record of a fascinating family, it is never less than riveting.
Rob Hudson

My Father And Me screenings in Brisbane

Palace Barracks
Thursday 11, November 1:30 PM
Monday 15, November 8:20 PM
Friday 26, November 11:00 AM

Palace James St
Friday 12, November 4:00 PM
Friday 19, November 10:45 AM
Monday 29, November 8:50 PM

The British Film Festival takes place in Brisbane from Wednesday 3 November until Wednesday 1 December and films will be shown exclusively at the Palace Barracks and James St Cinemas. Click here for more information about the festival, or head to the official website for more information and to book your tickets!
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

A heart-rending modern love story about a couple struggling with a diagnosis of early-onset dementia, Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci deliver beautifully tender performances in Supernova. Together, they plan a road trip through England, to reconnect with friends and family and visit the places of their past. As their journey progresses, their individual ideas for their future begin to collide. Secrets are uncovered, private plans unravel and their love for each other is tested like never before.

“Supernova enriches our love for its stars and announces Macqueen as a talent.” – Variety

Tickets for the closing night screening – with drink on arrival – are now on sale.
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

The British Film Festival celebrates the filmmakers, acting talent and stories from the British Isles with a programme featuring the most anticipated films of the year. Screening from 10 November in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Byron Bay at reduced capacity and 12 November in Melbourne.

Please note, SUPERNOVA will not screen in Perth.