“I want to remember every minute, always, always to the end of my days.”
– Laura Jesson, BRIEF ENCOUNTER
The inaugural British Film Festival 2013 has officially come to a close nationally. The festival has been so wonderfully received by each and every one of you: thank you for celebrating all-things-British with us and embracing this exciting new festival. See you in 2014!
The festival closes with the highly-anticipated PHILOMENA, from director Stephen Frears (The Queen, Dangerous Liaisons) and starring Dame Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. Already garnering Oscar buzz, Dench shines with grace, nuance and impeccable comic timing in this true story of one mother’s search for her lost son. Don’t miss these exclusive screenings of this undeniable highlight of the inaugural festival.
For the perfect Saturday afternoon, we are delight to present special High Tea events paired with selected screenings of David Lean’s BRIEF ENCOUNTER - a cherished favourite of romantics everywhere. Two strangers meet in a railway station café: a doctor (Trevor Howard) and a housewife (Celia Johnson). Although they are both happily married, they fall in love and continue to meet – even though they know their illicit romance cannot last.
Enjoy High Tea with a decadent selection of sandwiches, sweet treats, tea courtesy of Numi Organic Tea and a glass of sparkling courtesy of Laithwaite’s Wine People, followed by the screening of BRIEF ENCOUNTER.
The festival is thrilled to welcome Eric Bana as a guest of the inaugural British Film Festival. Bana stars in CLOSED CIRCUIT - a gripping and thought provoking political thriller that explores conspiracy, terrorism and privacy in the modern age. Selected sessions in Melbourne, Sydney & Canberra will be preceded by an introduction or followed by a Q&A with the renowned actor. Book now as tickets are limited and selling fast!
The inaugural British Film Festival opens this November at Palace Cinemas, with exclusive screenings of ONE CHANCE. Director David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Hope Springs) brings to the silver screen the remarkable rags to riches story of Paul Potts, the shy winner of the first season of Britain’s Got Talent. A bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night, Paul Potts (James Corden)’s frivolous dreams are supported by no one, aside from his doting mother (the wonderful Julie Walters) and later his wife (Alexandra Roach). A superb, celebratory crowd-pleaser, with a gorgeous performance from the affable Corden as an inspirational nobody who dared to follow his dream against all odds.
Tickets are now on sale for Australia’s inaugural British Film Festival, opening this November exclusively at Palace Cinemas. With an exceptional program of highly anticipated contemporary features, the festival is sure to become an eagerly-awaited event of the annual cinema calendar. In addition to new films, we celebrate one of the world’s most illustrious and established cinema industries. The festival is thrilled to announce the full program - including Opening & Closing Night films, the BFI Top 5 - a special selection of classics, High Tea Special Events, and Eric Bana as a special guest of this year's festival.
