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Festival Highlights

Opening Night

Featuring a commanding performance from Sir Anthony Hopkins as Sir Nicholas Winton, a British stockbroker, also known as the “British Schindler”, who helped rescue hundreds of children from Europe on the verge of World War II. Based on a deeply moving true story of kindness, the narrative explores an act of compassion that was almost forgotten for 50 years.

Australian Premiere
Centrepiece

An all-star cast led by Sir Ian McKellen and Gemma Arterton bring this wickedly mischievous reimagining of Anthony Quinn’s novel Curtain Call to vivid life. A story of ambition and desire with a dazzling anti-hero at its dark heart delivering a whodunnit wrapped in a devastatingly deadly web of blackmail and betrayal.

Australian Premiere
Pretty Queer Event

Engaging with notions of masculinity, self-discovery and gender expression with touching honesty and insight, writer-director Dionne Edwards delivers a beautifully poignant narrative journey supported by a stellar cast and featuring the music of Tina Turner. An exhilarating sojourn through South London weaves a story of powerful self-expression, confronting the past and of course, a glorious red dress.

Morning Tea Event

The inimitable Sir Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson bring this true story to life focusing on a war veteran who made global headlines as he staged a "great escape" from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy to commemorate fallen comrades.

Australian Premiere
Director Q&A

Charting the breakup of a marriage, a forgotten letter brings a couple together to face their past and their most intimate feelings for each other. Featuring an honest, tender script navigating the highs and lows of married life, Marcus Markou crafts an engrossing and engaging drama fuelled by solid central performances.

Australian Premiere
Special Presentation

An epic Rock Opera directed by Ken Russell, based on The Who's album. It stars Roger Daltrey as Tommy, a boy struck deaf, dumb, and blind who rises to fame as a pinball wizard. Also starring Ann-Margret, Oliver Reed, Elton John, and Tina Turner, the film features surreal visuals and a memorable soundtrack, exploring themes of celebrity and spirituality.

Closing Night

Based on a true scandal of the 1920s. Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley play neighbours who get on each other’s nerves in this dark comedy about a small English town where residents start receiving anonymous, expletive-laden letters, igniting a scandal in their community.

Australian Premiere