British cinema’s biggest stars will hit the big screen when the 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival returns to Melbourne from 28 October. Presented by Palace, the festival will bring a mix of dramas, documentaries, romantic comedies and period film.
Among the first films announced is WICKER, a raunchy romantic comedy starring Olivia Colman and Alexander Skarsgård. The film follows an ostracised fisherwoman and the sexy husband she wishes for in what promises to be one of the festival’s more unconventional offerings.
Andrew Garfield leads the historical drama THE UPRISING as a grief-stricken 14th-century labourer who sparks a peasant revolt. Jamie Bell, Stephen Dillane and Katherine Waterston also star.
Fans of British television will want to look out for PARKY, an intimate documentary about legendary chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson. The film explores his five-decade career and includes appearances from some of the famous figures he interviewed, including Muhammad Ali, Billy Connolly, Kylie Minogue, Bob Hawke, Madonna and Sir David Attenborough.
Richard E. Grant and Claire Foy star in SAVAGE HOUSE, a dark comedy set in 18th-century England, while Bill Nighy leads poignant family drama 500 MILES.
The programme also includes MOTHER’S PRIDE, a heartfelt comedy from writer-director Nick Moorcraft, starring Jonno Davies as a man who returns to his country hometown and attempts to save his family’s struggling pub.
The full festival programme will be announced ahead of tickets going on sale in early October. The festival runs in Melbourne from 28 October to 29 November at Palace Cinemas, including The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and Palace Church St.
Visit the Russell Hobbs British Film Festival website for updates and tickets
