The 2025 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival opens on Wednesday, 5 November, running through to 7 December across major cities and regional venues.
Presented by Russell Hobbs in partnership with Palace Cinemas, the festival this year offers a thoughtfully curated line-up of new feature films, documentaries and retrospectives that reflect the creative breadth of the UK’s screen world.
Opening Night across Australia (including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra) will feature the Australian premiere of The Choral — a stirring wartime drama led by Ralph Fiennes and directed by Nicholas Hytner — as the festival’s official launch
Among the festival’s headliners are:
The centrepiece film is Anemone, marking the directorial debut of Ronan Day‑Lewis and the return of actor Daniel Day-Lewis in a powerful story about family bonds.
The special presentation event is The History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, a period romance whose soundtrack is as important as its story.
Closing the festival is Hamnet, an adaptation directed by Oscar-winner Chloé Zhao, which explores grief, creativity and the genesis of Shakespeare’s work.
Additional program gems include the fashion-icon portrait Twiggy, the comedic road-movie documentary John Cleese Packs It In, and the atmospheric thriller starring Emma Thompson Dead of Winter.
The festival screens in Adelaide, Ballarat, Brisbane, Byron Bay & Ballina, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney — at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace venues.
Opening night events promise a little extra: guests will enjoy British fare, sparkling wine or mocktails, sweet treats courtesy of Russell Hobbs and cinema snacks from automotive partner Lexus. And an official festival gift bag sets the tone for the season.
With a flourish of theatrical titles, celebrated screen talent and archival gems, the 2025 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival showcases the enduring strength and diversity of UK-based filmmaking. It offers Australian audiences a chance to access premieres, immersive events and stories, anchored in music, identity, creativity and cultural memory.
