From November 5, the 2025 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival, presented by Palace, will open in cities across the country screening at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas. This year’s sensational lineup showcases British brilliance at its best with hotly anticipated new releases, documentaries and restrospectives.

Opening the festival is the Australian Premiere of THE CHORAL, a sweeping wartime drama with a stellar cast, led by Ralph Fiennes and directed by Nicholas Hytner. As a group of choralists discover the joys of singing, the young male members must also come to terms with their imminent conscription into the army. Exploring humour and humanity at the heart of a community facing an uncertain future, the film also stars Roger Allam, Mark Addy and Amara Okereke.

The Special Presentation is Oliver Hermanus’ THE HISTORY OF SOUND starring an electric Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. A decade spanning romance centered around the power of music, this gorgeous period drama is a film of lingering melancholic beauty.

Marking the highly anticipated return to the screen of Daniel Day-Lewis, ANEMONE is this year’s Festival Centrepiece. Heralding the directorial debut of son Ronan Day-Lewis, with whom Daniel Day-Lewis co-wrote the script, ANEMONE also features superb performances from Sean Bean and Samantha Morton as it explores the complex and profound ties that exist between brothers, fathers, and sons.

Closing the festival is Oscar winner Chloé Zhao’s (Nomadland,The Rider) radiant adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s novel HAMNET, starring Jessie Buckley as Agnes Shakespeare and Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare. In the sensitively observed, magnificently crafted tale about the complexities of love and the healing power of art and creativity, the couple’s tragic shared experience sets the stage for the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.

The festival is delighted to once again welcome naming partner Russell Hobbs — the iconically British appliance brand that’s been adding style, charm, and a proper cup of tea to everyday life since 1952. Dean Hammerton, Marketing Manager, Asia Pacific, says:

“We’re thrilled to be back for another year as naming partner of the Russell Hobbs British Film Festival. We’ve always embraced that classic British mix of innovation, tradition, and a dash of style — values that align beautifully with the films being showcased. It’s a real pleasure to once again celebrate the best of British culture, on screen and beyond.”

A standout selection of real-life stories feature in this year’s lineup profiling iconic British identities including John Cleese, Twiggy and John Lennon. In what might be his final European tour, JOHN CLEESE PACKS IT IN is a wry, behind-the-scenes portrait of a comedy legend on the road, battling various ailments, chaotic travel, and his own stubborn refusal to stop.

Exploring the final decade in the life of John Lennon, BORROWED TIME – LENNON’S LAST DECADE is a gripping documentary charting Lennon’s turbulent post-Beatles years of art, activism, and reinvention. Evolving beyond the Beatles, he created music and stood at the forefront of anti-war protests that would make him one of the most influential pop culture icons of all time.

In celebrated documentary TWIGGY, the meteoric rise of the 1960s style icon—bold, sharp, and unforgettable – is explored. A dazzling portrait of reinvention and influence, the film showcases the fashion, fame, and fearless individuality of Twiggy, during a culturally significant period of British history.

To complement the documentary, Ken Russell’s THE BOY FRIEND (1971), Twiggy’s first film role, will also screen in the festival. Bursting with glitz, glamour, and cheeky charm, Twiggy shines as an understudy turned star in this dazzling, tap-dancing love letter to 1920s musicals.

From the director of BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, Gurinda Chadha, comes the Australian premiere of CHRISTMAS KARMA, based on the classic Dickens story A Christmas Carol. In Chadha’s Bollywood style musical adaptation, the all-star cast including Hugh Bonneville, Billy Porter, Eva Longoria and Boy George, bring the story to life in a modern day, diverse London.

Premiering to rave reviews at the recent Toronto International Film Festival, I SWEAR is a biographical comedy/drama directed, written, and produced by Kirk Jones starring Robert Aramayo, Maxine Peake, Shirley Henderson and Peter Mullan. Based on the true story of John Davidson who was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome at a time when it was barely identifiable, the film is a heartwarming, comedic and moving story of his journey.

A riotous spoof of period drama mixing forbidden romance, aristocratic scandals, and razor- sharp wit, FACKHAM HALL premieres at selected sessions just prior to the official release in the UK. With an all-star cast and Jimmy Carr’s absurdist flair, the film skewers tradition while serving nonstop laughs and intrigue.

Actor Harris Dickinson’s searing directorial debut URCHIN follows Mike, an unhoused ex- prisoner, in his fight for redemption. Highly lauded at the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival, where it won the FIPRESCI Film and Best Actor prizes, the unforgettable odyssey of survival, empathy, and fragile hope is led by an incredible Frank Dillane as Mike.

The majestic drama THE NORTH, has been described as the ‘ultimate hiking film’. It is an adventurous tale of two old friends who embark on a 600-kilometre journey through the Scottish Highlands, seeking to reconnect not only with nature but with each other and the parts of themselves they have lost.

In icy suspense thriller DEAD OF WINTER, British icon Emma Thompson plays Barb, a woman travelling alone through snowbound northern Minnesota. Barb interrupts the kidnapping of a teenage girl, and hours from the nearest town and with no phone service, she realises that she is the young girl’s only hope.

MOSS & FREUD is the biopic about the life of era-defining supermodel Kate Moss and her relationship with British artist Lucian Freud. When Freud offered to paint Moss nude during the nine months of her pregnancy in 2002, it prompted her to embark on an intense journey of self-discovery.

Documentary BECOMING HITCHCOCK – THE LEGACY OF BLACKMAIL dives into the groundbreaking 1929 film that launched Hitchcock’s signature style. Also screening is Hitchcock’s thriller BLACKMAIL about a woman who kills a man in self-defence but falls victim to a blackmailer, considered a bridge between the silent era and that of the ‘talkies’.

Another must-see for Hitchcock fans, the retrospective HITCHCOCK: THE BEGINNING featuring ten rarely screened, early silent and talkie films from the 1920s to 1930s from the iconic director including NUMBER 17, the last of the era, CHAMPAGNE, MURDER!, THE SKIN GAME and Hitchcock’s only foray into screenwriting, THE RING.

Set in the Scottish Highlands, GLENROTHAN is a powerful tale of two estranged brothers played by Alan Cumming and Brian Cox, in his directorial debut. Drawn home by loss, the pair open old wounds and test family bonds, with the pull of tradition igniting a transformative journey.

In a film adapted from an acclaimed novella, THE THING WITH FEATHERS charts the struggle of a young father, played by Benedict Cumberbatch, and his sons after a sudden family loss. As they struggle to hold their world together, they start to experience how love endures in the strangest, most unexpected forms.

Fueled by powerhouse performances from Vicky Krieps, Aidan Gillen and Colm Meaney, RE-CREATION is a razor-sharp courtroom drama. Director Jim Sheridan reimagines a trial (based on a real story) that never happened with questions, guilt, bias and memory at the centre of a tense chamber where truth itself is on trial.

Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen electrify in chilling folk-horror RABBIT TRAP where music, myth, and obsession collide. Filmmaker Bryn Chainey’s debut blurs reality into an eerie, unforgettable nightmare that draws the viewer in and never lets go.

With a brilliant ensemble cast led by enigmatic festival favourite Bill Nighy, & SONS is the story of a world-renowned but reclusive novelist who believing he is about to die, summons his estranged sons to his home. An adaptation of the novel of the same name, the family drama also stars Johnny Flynn, George MacKay, Imelda Staunton and Dominic West.

Stories that focus on the older generation include FOUR MOTHERS, a riotous, heartfelt comedy where one man’s burgeoning career implodes as four eccentric mothers of his friends, off on a trip to a Pride festival, invade his Dublin home; and drama DRAGONFLY, starring Brenda Blethyn and Andrea Riseborough, about a neglected pensioner who finds an ally in a younger neighbour in what has been described as a fierce and wonderfully acted film.

A story of resilience, friendship and hope against an unforgiving system, LOLLIPOP is a raw, heartfelt drama. Starring Posy Sterling as Molly, a mother recently released from prison, her fight to reclaim her children and give them a life she never had is unrelenting.

In contemporary noir thriller with a twist ISLANDS, Sam Riley stars as a tennis coach at a holiday resort who befriends a couple with unnerving results and in WORDS OF WAR, the true story of journalist Anna Politkovskaya, who battled for press freedom in Putin’s Russia, is portrayed by an incredible cast including Maxine Peake, James Lawtey, Jason Isaacs (The White Lotus), Ellie Bamber and Ciarán Hinds.

In a special Retrospective entitled BRITISH BRILLIANCE, six iconic British films that have all won Best Picture at the Academy Awards are showcased on the big screen including CHARIOTS OF FIRE, GANDHI, SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI, THE ENGLISH PATIENT and from 2010, THE KINGS SPEECH.

Rounding out the superb selection of documentaries is the quirky THE GOLDEN SPURTLE and I AM MARTIN PARR. The contestants of the annual World Porridge Making Championship battle with oats and ladles in a Highland village, celebrating tradition and community in THE GOLDEN SPURTLE; while the playful, provocative portrait I AM MARTIN PARR reveals the iconic British photographer behind the lens and his extraordinary eye on the everyday.

In a celebration of 25 years since its release, BILLY ELLIOT remains a heartwarming tale of grit and grace, following an 11-year-old boy who defies expectations, trading boxing gloves for ballet shoes in a celebration of passion, identity, and the courage to chase dreams.

The Australian premiere of GROW will delight families in an exuberant tale full of giant pumpkins, madcap characters, and a little girl who just might be a pumpkin-growing savant starring Nick Frost, Alan Carr and Jane Horrocks.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival opens on Wednesday 5 November in Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Perth, Byron Bay, Canberra and Brisbane, concluding on Sunday 7 December in all cities.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations from NOV 5 – DEC 7:
Melbourne: The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Church St Ballarat: Palace Regent Ballarat
Canberra: Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
Byron Bay: Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
Sydney: Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

It’s finally back: an event for plant lovers everywhere!

The Plantapalooza plant festival, the celebration of spring and all things plants, returns to the Saturday Fresh Market in October.

Located at their new undercover venue at 385 Sherwood Road, Rocklea, Plantapalooza will feature thousands of indoor and outdoor plants, flowers and succulents, as well as the 100 regular stalls the Saturday Fresh Market offers every week.

With plenty of demonstrations from handy stallholders and horticulture experts as well as lots of activities for the kids, Plantapalooza has everything you need to give your garden a makeover on a budget.

Start your weekend off right by walking the aisles full of plants, fresh produce, deli items, meats, cheeses, baked goods, flowers and more before enjoying a delicious breakfast from quality food stalls while being entertained by live music in the food court.

You’ll find all this and more at the Saturday Fresh Market’s Plantapalooza plant festival from 6am to 1pm on Saturday, 5 October at 385 Sherwood Road, Rocklea.

Plantapalooza Plant Festival
11 October 2025
Saturday Fresh Market, Rocklea
www.brisbanemarkets.com.au

Hundreds of drones dazzle the night sky.

Skylore is a larger-than-life highlight of Brisbane Festival and a bright and bold celebration of our city, celebrating Culture and place. Now in its third annual iteration, Skylore has become a staple of the Festival.

Back by popular demand, Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale returns to illuminate Brisbane’s skyline. Watch as hundreds of drones soar above the Brisbane River as Traditional Owner Yuggera and Toorabul man Shannon Ruska and Tribal Experiences retell this powerful story of Culture, Country, and connection to place, with original composition by Guy Webster.

Skylore – Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale
25-27 September 2025 – 7:15pm, 8:15pm and 9:15pm each night
South Bank, South Brisbane
www.brisbanefestival.com.au

In conjunction with the Brisbane Powerhouse, Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema is excited to present MELT ON SCREEN as part of the MELT FESTIVAL 2025 – The ultimate celebration of LGBTQIA+ arts, culture, identity and pride staged across Brisbane from October 22 to November 9.

Promising to be another unforgettable festival in Brisbane’s cultural calendar, make sure you QUEER your calendar, assemble your crew and start planning your fiercest festival looks for our two very special MELT ON SCREEN events.

LESBIAN SPACE PRINCESS
An introverted space princess is forced to leave her home planet on an inter-gay- lactic mission to save her ex-girlfriend from the Straight White Maliens.

A laugh-out-loud adventure through the far reaches of queer outer space, Lesbian Space Princess is a riotous, candy-coloured joy from start to finish: a locally made animation by emerging creatives that embraces LGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse voices, on and off-screen.
SCREENING SATURDAY, 25 OCTOBER at 6:20pm with gates open 1 hour before film commences.

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW – 50th ANNIVERSARY
It’s just a jump to the left and a step right into our 50th Anniversary screening of THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW.

Hosted by drag royalty, Maxi-Bon to guide you through a night in Transylvania, each guest will receive a partic… ipation kit, complete with props and guides so you can join in with all the fan made antics of this cult classic.

So dust off those fishnets and practice your time warp for a night with Frank-N- Furter, Riff Raff, Magenta, Columbia, Eddie and of course Rocky.
SCREENING SATURDAY, 8 NOVEMBER at 6:30pm with gates open 1 hour before film commences.

Dendy Powerhouse is an unforgettable outdoor cinema experience located next to Brisbane Powerhouse in the iconic New Farm Park. Featuring a massive outdoor screen atop custom-made 40ft shipping containers, 350 outdoor lounge chairs with wide armrests, and wireless Dendy headphones with superior sound quality.

Order a glass of wine, beer or one of our signature Aperol Spritz and pair it with a Byron Bay Pizza fresh from the oven, or partake in one of Dendy’s classic cinema snacks, including our famous lovingly hand-scooped choc tops, all from the comfort of your seat via a QR code. Prepare to be fully immersed in cinema under the stars.

Melt Festival 2025 at Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema
Wednesday, October 22 – Sunday, November 9 2025
www.powerhouse.dendy.com.au

The 2025 program is packed with literary A-listers across more than 100 live events including author talks, conversations, panel discussions and special events. Two hundred artists, half of them from Queensland, form part of the blockbuster line-up of national and international guests.

Australian headline authors include Helen Garner, Trent Dalton, Sally Hepworth, Michael Robotham, Di Morrissey, Anita Heiss and Pub Choir’s Astrid Jorgensen, while international highlights include English historian, broadcaster and author Bettany Hughes, Hollywood insider (and nephew of Joan Didion) Griffin Dunne, Irish economist David McWilliams, romantasy star Callie Hart, American cultural critic Sophie Gilbert, and New York Times bestseller Eric Puchner.

BWF Artistic Director Jackie Ryan said the 2025 program is designed to surprise, delight, and encourage discovery.

“One of the many books we’re featuring at the festival this year is on conspiracies. Perhaps those authors can explain just how ‘Dark BWF’ managed to secure so many brilliant writers, such extraordinary panel combinations, and a certifiably incredible venue in the form of Brisbane Powerhouse.

“Is it 5G or artistic destiny? Whatever the answer, BWF2025 is shaping up like an unusually healthy candy store—bursting with irresistible artistic treats you won’t want to stop sampling, and all surprisingly good for you. Be an intrepid investigator and indulge widely. The truth about BWF awaits,” said Ryan.

This year BWF is joined by guest curators Sharlene Allsop (Aboriginal First Nations) and Jillian Bowie (Zenadth Kes/Torres Strait Islander).

With a diverse program of author panels, speeches and performances, BWF has a story for everyone – head to their website for more!

Brisbane Writers Festival 2025
9-12 October 2025
Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane
www.bwf.org.au

Every ticket sold raises money for cats in need, with the Festival raising approximately $170,000 for feline-focused nonprofits since its North American launch in 2019.

Curated by filmmaker Will Braden and distributed by Oscilloscope, CatVideoFest brings the internet’s favourite felines to the big screen in a purr-fectly crafted compilation. Each year’s program features the latest and greatest cat videos — from hilarious home footage and animations to music videos and iconic viral clips — starring more cats than you can shake a feather toy at.

Exclusively available in cinemas (you won’t find this collection online), CatVideoFest has become one of the best-attended annual events at independent cinemas worldwide. This year’s edition will screen at over 150 cinemas across Australia and more than 500 globally.

Now in its fifth fur-filled year, CatVideoFest continues to surprise, charm and raise vital funds for cats in need — all while giving audiences the chance to laugh, cheer and collectively celebrate the internet’s most beloved creatures.

CatVideoFest 2025
2-3 August 2025
150+ Cinemas across Australia
www.catvideofest.com

Proclaimed as “a feast of short films devised and designed for the two-wheel devotee” it has its humble beginnings in Taupō, New Zealand in 2015. The Big Bike Film Night is now a much-anticipated global Film Festival that brings a love of cycling to cinemas, presenting an array of international movies specifically selected by New Zealander Curator | “Film Pedlar”, Brett Cotter.

“Each year I set out with just one goal- to bring together the best short cycling films from around the world for our audiences- celebrating the fun, the adventure, and inspiration that bikes enable” says Mr Cotter.

“Our scintillating 2025 collection contains eight mesmerizing films that are as varied and diverse as you could hope for. With arguably the finest selection of cycling films yet, from the exotic location of northern Pakistan to the suburban streets of Santa Barbara in America, from the soaring mountain peaks of Austria to breathtaking Queenstown, New Zealand to the captivating Scottish Highlands” states Mr Cotter.

All In or Nothing- A classic Kiwi story set around the magnificent Nelson/ Tasman region in New Zealand, this film follows the young Kiwi 19-year-old trailblazer, Matt Fairbrother, as he participates in the multistage enduro event The New Zealand Mountain Bike Rally against 120 riders. We follow Matt as he chooses a different approach to this race, competing in a league of his own in his entirely signature unsupported style – fueled by a penchant for chocolate milk and a “can do” attitude in making it happen over the gruelling six-day schedule.

“Matt is known for doing things differently! This mind-blowingly awesome film not only showcases Matt’s grit, determination, and resilience over the 27 downhill enduro race stages, there’s also the additional 500km cycling that he did between the stages carrying his own kit, eating what he carried, sleeping rough in a bivy, kayaking 50kms across the ocean, and grinding up 18,000 extra vertical metres to get to the finish line, this human-powered adventure is epic in every sense!” exclaims Mr Cotter.

Also in the treasure chest of films is

• an exhilarating film that redefines what’s possible on a gravel bike on technically challenging terrains
• an inspiring mountain bike ride through back country Queenstown, New Zealand, that is both poetic and meaningful
• a celebration of grit, camaraderie, and the beauty of “Type 2 Fun”; this bikepacking film is an ode to the ride, not the finish line
• a captivating film that promises to take you on a journey of compassion, community, and the joy of cycling
• an uplifting film that follows a group of adventurers who gather to cycle from town out to the local Ski Field and back, carrying all their gear, with the purpose to raise awareness about the climate impact that comes with travelling and adventuring
• a life-changing experience for a group of friends who undertake a trip to a bothie (hut) in the Scottish Highlands to show what can be achieved by people with disabilities in relation to having adventures
• and a film set in Pakistan that celebrates the art of “winging it”, and how travelling by bicycle and the power of exploration can obliterate preconceptions and contribute to understanding others
• ALL in the mix!

“The power of storytelling is at the forefront of what we offer, and the belief that a bike is more than two-wheels, it can be whatever you want to be- it can help improve our health and inspire and uplift people with where it can take us. It’s a real honour connecting communities with stories that captivate us, move us, and most importantly of all- inspire us to get out and ride” says Mr Cotter.

The Big Bike Film Night screens in Brisbane at the South Bank Cineplex on Tuesday 19th August, 7:00pm, at the New Farm Cinema on Tuesday 26th August, 6:30pm and the Bayside Cinema Wynnum on Wednesday 27th August, 7:00pm.

For more information and to buy tickets visit www.bigbikefilmnight.nz

The Festival is delighted to welcome new naming rights partner Hurtigruten, long associated with the Nordic region. Damien Perry, Managing Director APAC, Hurtigruten says,”We’re proud to be the naming sponsor of the 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival. As the original and undisputed travel expert in Scandinavia and along

Norway’s stunning coastline for over 130 years, Hurtigruten has always been about genuine and authentic experiences with a deep connection to the Nordic people. Partnering with Palace to celebrate the richness of Scandinavian storytelling is a natural extension of who we are. This festival reflects the culture, landscapes, and spirit of the North that we love to share with the world.”

Opening the 2025 Festival is NUMBER 24 (Nr. 24), from multi award-winning director John Andreas Andersen (The Burning Sea, The Quake). This gripping Norwegian spy drama depicts the extraordinary true story of an ‘every-man’ drawn into the resistance movement during World War II, exploring the morality of wartime and the weight of responsibility in the fight for freedom.

Direct from the 2025 Cannes International Film Festival, where it won the coveted Grand Prix, is this year’s unmissable Centrepiece, SENTIMENTAL VALUE from director Joachim Trier. Reuniting Trier with star Renate Reinsve (The Worst Person in the World), the intimate drama also stars Stellan Skarsgård and Elle Fanning in a moving exploration of family, memories, and the reconciliatory power of art.

The 2025 Special Presentation is QUISLING: THE FINAL DAYS (Quislings siste dager). Set in 1945 Norway, this bold and provocative drama from acclaimed director Erik Poppe (The King’s Choice, ScandiFF 17) follows the post-liberation trial of the country’s infamous and controversial head of state Vidkun Quisling, in a stirring meditation on complicity, faith and the capacity for self-deception.

A box office sensation in Iceland, black comedy GRAND FINALE (Fullt hús) is this year’s Closing Night film. Featuring an all-star Icelandic ensemble cast, this wildly entertaining tale revolves around a near-bankrupt chamber orchestra in Reykjavik who try to secure their future with a world-famous cellist.

Also from Iceland is the powerful and visually stunning drama THE MOUNTAIN (Fjallið), the first officially vetted sustainable production in the country, awarded the prestigious Green Film Sustainability certification. Starring Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney (daughter of singer Björk and artist Matthew Barney) in her first feature role, the coming-of-age story explores how the cosmos and a road trip to the Icelandic highlands offers comfort to a family whose life is upended by a twist of fate.

The Icelandic selection also includes ODD FISH (Ljósvíkingar) a tale of dreams, identity and acceptance which follows two childhood friends who get a long-awaited opportunity to run their seafood restaurant all year round yet face unexpected personal challenges.

Leading the Danish film selection is compelling drama SECOND VICTIMS (Det andet offer), starring Festival favourite Trine Dyrholm. Featuring stellar performances from both Dyrholm and Özlem Saglanmak (Borgen), this timely reflection on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals follows a neurologist on a shift that will change her life forever, exploring the weight of guilt and the power of compassion.

Direct from the 2025 Göteborg Film Festival, is poignant drama THE LAST PARADISE ON EARTH (Seinasta paradís á jørð). Beautifully capturing the unique culture and stunning landscapes of the Faroe Islands, it is a moving exploration of identity, grief, and longing.

Based on the incredible true story of Denmark’s biggest-ever robbery, THE QUIET ONES (De lydløse) follows a group of criminals in their heist preparations with a stellar ensemble cast including Gustav Giese, Reda Kateb, Christopher Wagelin and Amanda Collin.

From acclaimed director Charlotte Sieling (Margrete – Queen of the North ScandiFF 22) and starring Nikolaj Lie Kaas, WAY HOME (Vejen hjem) is a gripping drama set against the backdrop of war-torn Syria that posits how far a Danish father is willing to go to save the people he loves.

Trine Dyrholm delivers yet another acting masterclass in BEGINNINGS (Begyndelser) alongside David Dencik in this deeply moving exploration of love and resilience.

From Finland, debut director Paula Korva’s comedy/drama SUDDEN OUTBURSTS OF EMOTIONS (Kenraaliharjoitus) is the story of an ordinary couple who decide to open their relationship to reignite their passion. Although everything seems fine to start, emotional chaos is soon unleashed.

The entertaining comedy from Mika Kaurismäki LONG GOOD THURSDAY (Mielensäpahoittajan rakkaustarina) sees the return of Finnish comedy icon Heikki Kinnunen as the fur hatted ‘The Grump’. Imbued with deadpan humour, the Grump’s life is awakened when he falls in love. Also guaranteed to deliver a laugh is Finnish box office hit 100 LITRES OF GOLD (100 litraa Sahtia), the story of a pair of beer-brewing sisters and a tribute to the small provinces, local pride and to sahti, the liquid gold traditional brew of Finland.

From celebrated director Klaus Härö comes gripping true story NEVER ALONE (Ei koskaan yksin), shining a light on the plight of Jewish refugees who sought sanctuary in Finland during WWII. It stars Ville Virtanen as inspiring humanitarian Abraham Stiller who risked everything during a pivotal time in the war.

In the selection from Norway is the delightful debut feature from Egil Pedersen MY FATHER’S DAUGHTER, (Biru Unjárga), in which a Sámi teenager’s life dramatically shifts when her true father emerges; while MY UNCLE JENS (Onkel Jens), follows the upending of a young teacher’s peaceful life in Oslo when his Kurdish uncle unexpectedly comes to stay.

Featuring a score by internationally renowned Norwegian musician Thomas Dybdahl, Norway’s EVERYTHING MUST GO (Alt Skal Bort) explores the comedy and drama of three siblings reuniting at their childhood home.

From Sweden is LIVE A LITTLE (Leva Lite), a story of two friends on a couch surfing adventure across Europe, navigating uncertainty and intimacy as they strive to find themselves. And in a tale of cultural clashes, love and arranged marriage, Swedish romantic comedy JALLA! JALLA! celebrates its 25TH anniversary, following Roro and Måns as they navigate life – still as fresh as ever in 2025!

Finally, the Festival is thrilled to be screening special encores of WHEN THE LIGHT BREAKS (Ljósbrot) which recently won Best Nordic Film at the 2025 Göteborg Film Festival. The poignant drama follows a young woman whose conscience and resilience are tested over the course of a long summer’s day in Iceland.

The 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival will take place from July to August. Tickets are now on sale.

2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival
Melbourne: 11 July – 3 August, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre
Ballarat: 11 July – 3 August, Palace Regent Cinema
Canberra: 16 July – 10 August, Palace Electric
Sydney: 17 July – 10 August, Palace Norton St, Palace Moore Park, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema Adelaide: 23 July – 13 August, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas Brisbane: 23 July – 14 August, Palace James St, Palace Barracks
Perth: 24 July – 13 August, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Palace Raine Square
Byron Bay and Ballina: 24 July – 13 August, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
www.scandinavianfilmfestival.com

Queensland’s quirkiest winter arts festival will once again transform Brisbane’s bayside into a buzzing hub of music, comedy, cabaret and circus from 2 – 20 July 2025.

Wynnum Fringe Founder and CEO / Artistic Director Tom Oliver said this year’s program was built around the idea of connection – cultural, creative and geographical.

“Our 2025 theme is Mateship, a celebration of connection in all its forms,” Oliver said.

“It’s about the ties that bind us, between artists and audiences, city and country, and the bush and the bay.

“From the Augathella Spiegeltent to our brand-new precinct inspired by regional Queensland, this year’s festival is all about championing big talent, big stories and big love for Queensland.”

What began as a grassroots COVID recovery initiative in 2020 has grown into one of the state’s most anticipated cultural events, with audiences increasingly drawn to its fiercely local personality and line-up of big-name artists.

“It is a festival that feels both intimate and world-class and that is what keeps audiences coming back,” Oliver said.

The beating heart of this year’s Wynnum Fringe is the iconic Augathella Spiegeltent, a 380-seat revitalised performance tent proudly positioned on Bay Terrace.

Designed by the world-renowned Klessens family for Queensland’s and relocated 750 kilometres from Augathella to Wynnum last year following a people-powered crowdfunding campaign, the tent is a masterful fusion of the traditional Belgian craftsmanship and the raw, nostalgic aesthetic of an Australian shearing shed.

The special Augathella-Wynnum bond as “Sister Suburbs” sets the tone for this year’s festival, which further strengthens its ties to regional Queensland through a new precinct celebrating the spirit of the outback and the introduction of a beloved bush tradition, the Wynnum B&S Ball.

Hosted in the historic Spiegeltent and featuring live sets from some of the state’s best country music artists, the ball brings the bush to the bay and revives a rite of passage once named a Q150 Icon for its cultural significance.

The Wynnum B&S Ball is one of just 110 ticketed experiences on offer throughout the three-week celebration, which welcomes a mix of headline talent, emerging artists and returning festival favourites.

Comedy royalty Wil Anderson and Dave Thornton bring their razor-sharp wit and signature storytelling to the Spiegeltent stage, while beloved stage icon Rhonda Burchmore returns with her hit cabaret show Rhonda’s After Party, fresh from a sold-out season and ahead of a starring run at Darwin Festival.

For those who love their cabaret circus with extra cheek, the return of the five-star adults-only RAILED, described as a fusion of Cirque du Soleil and Magic Mike, is a must-see.

Music fans are in for a treat with an exclusive Australian debut performance from acclaimed American musician Theo Katzman, best known for his work with the funk-pop group Vulfpeck.

Also on the bill are intimate live sets from some of Australia’s most celebrated vocalists including Wesley Dean, Mirusia, Tex Perkins, Matt Walker, Tyrone Noonan, Karise Eden, Greg Gould and Trevor Jones.

Family entertainment abounds during the winter school holidays, with family favourites Kaboom, The Greatest Magic Show, Circus The Show and All Star Circus playing across both weeks to keep little ones entertained.

Local legends Shake & Stir are presenting three crowd-pleasing productions: George’s Marvellous Medicine and Burn Out for school students on July 18, and Romeo & Juliet for people of all ages – a rare romantic outing to a Spiegeltent.

While two Wynnum Fringe signature events also return by popular demand: Bay Pride, the inclusive community celebration recently crowned Event of the Year at the 63rd Annual Queens Ball Awards, and Yana Marumba (Walk Through Time), a powerful opening ceremony celebrating local First Nations culture.

Australian icon and Wynnum Fringe ambassador Rhonda Burchmore called the festival one of the most electric, joy-filled events in the country.

“Wynnum Fringe has become one of my favourite gigs on the calendar,” Burchmore said.

“It is glamorous, grassroots and gloriously fun and I am thrilled to be back with the fabulous people of the bay.”

Wynnum Fringe
2 – 20 July 2025
Various locations
www.wynnumfringe.com

Join us as we journey back through the incredible career of one of cinema’s greatest auteurs with our special one-day-only screenings of six whimsical gems from Anderson’s back catalogue including: –
FANTASTIC MR. FOX (PG) | 10:30AM
THE DARJEELING LIMITED (M) | 12:30PM
THE FRENCH DISPATCH (M) | 2:00PM
THE ROYAL TENENBAUMS (MA15+) | 4:15PM
THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (M) | 6:30PM
ISLE OF DOGS (PG) | 8:40PM
Tickets sold separately for each session.

WHERE’S WES?
Find Wes on your cinema seat and you could win a $100 Voucher to the whimsical Wes Anderson-inspired Henley’s Cocktail Bar & Kitchen in Teneriffe (session and seat chosen at random so keep your eyes peeled).

Wes Day
Saturday 17 May 2025
Dendy Portside
www.dendy.com.au