This multi award-winning show captured recently at the Sadler’s Wells Peacock Theatre is an extraordinary musical journey paying homage to Janis Joplin and her biggest musical influences. Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock & roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Fuelled by such unforgettable songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart”, “Mercedes Benz”, “Cry Baby” and “Summertime”, a remarkable cast and breakout performances. A Night with Janis Joplin, written and directed by Randy Johnson, is a musical journey celebrating Janis and her biggest musical influences—icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, who inspired one of rock ‘n roll’s greatest legends.

Near a village on the border between Quebec and the United States, customs officer Sonia confiscates kitchen knives and gourmet food from the charming French chef, Victor. Meanwhile, Sonia’s daughter Lili-Beth has entered a “Mini-Chefs” competition, where she seems to be the underdog with no chance of winning. Perhaps Sonia can convince Victor to help her? However, community tensions are bubbling beneath the surface of this rural town, and the unlikely team of Sonia, Victor and Lili-Beth will have to bring together the entire village to put aside their differences and get a taste of what is essential. Directed by Manon Briand, this delicious comedy with mouth-watering dishes and beautiful Canadian scenery will leave you hungry for more...

Step into a night of music, romance, and celebration with André Rieu’s Waltz the Night Away! An all-new summer concert captured live from the stunning Vrijthof Square in his beloved hometown of Maastricht is coming to cinemas! Each night, the Vrijthof transforms into a grand ballroom as André and his Johann Strauss Orchestra invite audiences of all ages to waltz under the stars. With timeless melodies and beautiful waltzes, this concert will take you on a journey filled with joy, love, and heartfelt emotion. Let yourself be swept away by one of the most romantic events of the year, bigger and more dazzling than ever, on the big screen. Bring someone special and create cherished memories as you Waltz the Night Away with André Rieu — only in cinemas this summer!

Through the material of concrete and its ancestor: stone, comes an epic and poetic meditation on architecture around the globe. Looking at how the design and construction of buildings from the ancient past reveal our destruction, it raises a fundamental question: ‘How do we build, and how can we build better?’

Known for his visionary designs and groundbreaking architectural philosophy, Erickson’s work profoundly shaped the modernist landscape as one of the 20th century’s most captivating architects. Through intimate interviews, archival footage and a look at his most famous creations, the film reveals the delicate balance Erickson maintained between his creative genius and the challenges of his personal life, reflecting on the human experience of creativity, ambition and the price of greatness.

Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is The Warmest Colour) and François Civil (The Three Musketeers) – arguably French cinema’s brightest young talents – devour the screen in Gilles Lellouche’s vibrant, genre-spanning romantic epic that follows a romance tested by social boundaries, betrayal and circumstances beyond all control. Love makes one crazy. Just ask Clotaire (Civil) and Jackie (Exarchopoulos), who meet in their teens in their Northern France working-class neighbourhood in the 1980s. Despite their differences - she is a diligent student from the middle class, he a charming troublemaker with a complex family life - an intense and unmistakable connection is sparked. But tragedy soon pulls them apart. A decade later, Clotaire tries desperately to win back his lost love. But has his chance passed? Driven by a kinetic soundtrack by Jon Brion, indelible production design and all-star supporting cast, Beating Hearts pays homage to the US independent film wave of the 80s and early 90s but creates an impact truly of its own. Delivering another massive, crowd-pleasing blockbuster result at the French box office with an extraordinary 5 million admissions, Lellouche reaches for the stars and rewards all who strap in for the ride.

Every 15 minutes, someone somewhere in the world plays Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero”... Raphaël Personnaz delivers an unforgettable performance as the titular composer, grappling with inner turmoil and artistic insecurity. Tasked by the eccentric dancer Ida Rubenstein (Jeanne Balibar) to craft a passionate and intoxicating score for her new ballet, Ravel finds himself creatively paralysed and marginalised by his contemporaries. Seeking solace and inspiration, he leans on his confidantes: the pianist Marguerite Long (Emmanuelle Devos), his loyal friend Cipa (Vincent Perez), and Cipa’s captivating sister, Misia (Doria Tillier), for whom he harbors deep affection. Against the lavish backdrop of 1920s Paris, Ravel must fight to redeem his raw musical genius, or risk being consumed by it completely... From celebrated director Anne Fontaine (Coco Before Chanel, The Innocents), Bolero is a powerful exploration of Maurice Ravel’s unique life, and his journey to complete the now iconic 17-minute composition. Sumptuously staged and showcasing lavish performances, don’t miss this stunning tribute to the lasting power of Ravel’s masterpiece.

Starring Tony-Nominee Jeremy Jordan and Olivier-Nominee Frances Mayli McCann, this award-winning production (including Best New Musical - What’s On Stage Awards 2023) re-tells the unbelievable true story of America's most infamous couple, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow. Recorded live at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane, discover the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire nation.

Dale Frank - Nobody’s Sweetie is a visual extravaganza showcasing the life and work of one of Australia’s most successful and prolific contemporary artists. This is an intimate portrait of a very private man and reveals his well-guarded life behind his work. The film follows Dale at home and in his studio creating new work for his 36th solo exhibition at the exclusive Roslyn Oxley9 gallery in Sydney. Whilst organising and orchestrating his art empire, Dale gives us a rare view of what it takes to be a professional artist at the top of their game. The stakes are high, the art world is fickle and Dale spends as lavishly as he creates. His ever-evolving rural estate is home to the largest private Natural History collection in Australia and he’s creating an exotic arid zone Botanical gardens in the surrounding fifty hectares. But where the light shines brightest, shadows are the darkest: on top of a crushing workload, Dale has inner demons and health struggles to contend with. Due to a debilitating neurodegenerative illness, Dale battles chronic and excruciating pain. With the help of prescribed morphine and the support of his good-humoured assistants James and Trev, Dale’s relentless creative drive, resilience and capacity for hard work bulldozes through each day to get the job done. Dale is reclusive. Socially phobic, he has recently received a diagnosis involving neurodiversity. The last thing in the world he wants to do is go to Sydney and have to talk to people. The film culminates with the opening night of the art exhibition which Dale must attend to face the art-world crowds he both dreads... and depends on. This is a vivid, inspirational story of a young boy from the bush who dreamt up a big creative career and audaciously went out and made it happen. For Dale, his work is his life and he has successfully pursued his dreams with talent, ambition and dogged determination. Now due to illness, his capacity to create is rapidly diminishing and the clock is ticking to complete the legacy of his life's work.

E. 1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea (89 mins) PRECEDED BY Her Blueprint, Aotearoa (16 mins). E. 1027 - Eileen Gray and the House by the Sea - Eileen Gray’s villa, E.1027, on the Côte d’Azur is considered a milestone in architectural history. Enjoy a cinematic journey into the mind of Eileen Gray, offering a story about the power of female expression and men’s desire to control it. Her Blueprint, Aotearoa - A moment in time depicting the everyday professional lives of some of the key female players in the design and construction sector in Aotearoa.

Ten years after its cinematic release, we revisit the powerful story of Ngāi Tūhoe as they undertake the design and construction of a building that will enhance the connection between their people and their land. The result is an architectural gem of a community centre that utilises radically sustainable methods. Tradition and environmentalism are brought together, and the film gives us a stirring depiction of Indigenous pride.

The brilliant therapist Doctor Béranger (Christian Clavier, Employee of the Month) has had a very successful career - with the exception of one client, the desperately needy Damien Leroy (Baptiste Lecaplain). In an attempt to finally reach a breakthrough on Damien’s relentless clinginess, Béranger convinces him that true love will cure him. The plan initially seems to have worked, until on a family getaway Béranger’s daughter reveals she has a new boyfriend... none other than Damien Leroy. Béranger’s idyllic holiday has suddenly turned into his worst nightmare. This high-energy slapstick comedy will have you in stitches!

Hot on the heels of its two wins at this year’s César Awards, and over one million admissions in France, the Cannes Youth Prize winner Holy Cow is set to take this year’s Festival by storm! Set in France’s picturesque Jura region, renowned for its Comté cheese, the film follows the carefree 18-year-old Totone. Accustomed to his teenage life of drinking and dancing, Totone suddenly finds himself the sole carer for his 7-year-old sister Claire (Luna Garret) after a devastating tragedy. Struggling to make ends meet, Totone hatches a plan to follow in his family’s cheesemaking footsteps, in the hope of winning a €30,000 Comté cheese prize. The only problem is, Totone knows nothing about making cheese... This heartfelt coming-of-age debut from Louise Courvoisier recently earned her the Best First Film César Award. The young cast (including Best Female Revelation César winner Maïwene Barthelemy) deliver touching performances that bring a raw authenticity to the film. Holy Cow is an engaging ode to community, resilience, love... and cheese. Don’t miss it!

Festival favourite Laure Calamy (Antoinette in the Cevennes, Two Tickets to Greece) is back! In Franck Dubosc’s dark crime comedy, married couple Cathy (Laure Calamy) and Michel (Frank Dubosc) lead a quiet life in the picturesque Jura mountains. When a bear bursts out in front of Michel’s car, accidentally killing two criminals and revealing illicit money in the process, their life takes an unpredictable turn, especially when they decide to cover up the incident and keep the money. But their stumbling plans leads to an unexplained trail of confusion. More used to being honest than crooked, Michel and Cathy’s clumsy cover-up efforts soon start attracting attention. With over one million admissions, How to Make a Killing is the third highest grossing French film of 2025 to date. Don’t miss Laure Calamy at her best in this winning combination of dramatic suspense and unfolding comic disaster.

Since the 1970s, English photographer Martin Parr has held up a sometimes tender, sometimes critical and always mischievous mirror to our times, forcing us to take a hard look at how consumer society has shaped our lives. Discover the maverick behind some of the most iconic images of the past century on an intimate and exclusive road trip across England with the uncompromising Parr, whose subjects, frames and colours have revolutionised contemporary photography and invented a political, humanist and accessible photographic language.

Jacquemus: The Prince of Today's Fashion (52 mins) PRECEDED BY Richard Serra: You are the Subject (22 mins). Jacquemus: The Prince of Today's Fashion - The film retraces the story of fashion designer, Simon Porte Jacquemus, founder and artistic director of his brand Jacquemus. Told through 10 years of exclusive archives and backstage footage, we get front row seats from his creative process and how he works with his teams, to the heart of a Jacquemus fashion show. Richard Serra: You are the Subject - A Richard Serra installation calls into question not only the legacy of the artist, but of humanity itself.

Agathe (Camille Rutherford, Anatomy of a Fall) is seemingly living the romantic comedy dream. Working in the famous Parisian bookshop “Shakespeare & Co”, she shares an undeniable chemistry with her best friend/co-worker Félix (Pablo Pauly, Murder Party). However, underneath the rosy facade, Agathe is a struggling romance author stuck living with her sister and battling a severe case of writer’s block. Perpetually surrounded by stories of others’ desires and adventures, she longs for a romance like the ones in her favourite novels. Everything changes when Agathe is invited to a prestigious Jane Austen residency in England. Spending two weeks in a manor ripped directly from the pages of one of Austen’s stories, Agathe becomes acquainted with the handsome (and haughty) Oliver (Charlie Anson, Downton Abbey), a distant relation of the author. Now finding herself in a situation much like the books that inspire her, Agathe must decide between what she’s always known, and something – or someone – new. Direct from a sell out run at the Australian French Film Festival, this utterly charming story from Laura Piani is a delightful love letter to the iconic author whose works still shape our conversations on love today.

Sigurd Lewerentz (1885-1975) is internationally renowned as one of Sweden’s greatest architects, but due to his aversion to being interviewed and recorded, he has long been shrouded in mystery. Recently, however, a treasure trove of film and sound recordings of Lewerentz was found in a cellar in Lund; these never-seen-before recordings form the basis of this unique portrait of a figure often described as: enigmatic, mystical, and technical.

The daunting, rambling estate of Knowl is no home for a young woman on her own, and certainly not for Maud (Agnes O’Casey, The Miracle Club) - just 18 years old. Freshly burdened with the sudden death of her father, and granted inheritance to his entire estate when she comes of age at 21, Maud is alone, unschooled in the ways of society, and vulnerable. The wolves begin to circle… In a bewildering turn of events, Uncle Silas (David Wilmot, The Guard) is revealed as Maud’s guardian in her father’s will. A pariah of ‘society’, he is infamous for being a callous and uncaring man. Silas is furious at being denied his ‘rightful’ inheritance, and in a world designed to constrain women, deploys society’s most underhand weapons to bend Maud to his will. As family secrets are uncovered, Maud discovers and reclaims her fledgling independence. Lies We Tell is a chilling and atmospheric gothic tour de force, featuring a star making turn from Agnes O’Casey.

Underpaid and overworked, Justine (Sandrine Kiberlain, November) is sick of the grind. When her pretentious boss Franck (Daniel Auteuil, Farewell Mr. Haffmann) asks her to put together a luxurious romantic getaway for him and a mystery “woman of his dreams”, Justine has an idea... Given free creative control and €14,000 cash up front, Justine and her unemployed husband Albin (Denis Podalydès, The President’s Wife) devise the perfect solution: they’ll give Franck their own version of a “love boat” experience, and pocket a portion of the profits! The couple gather a motley crew of friends, also keen to make a quick buck, to pull off this grand plan. What could go wrong? When Franck reveals that it is in fact Justine that’s his dream woman, this trip looks like it’s about to go overboard. Love Boat will have you laughing with its dynamic cast of characters and their chaotic schemes. Don’t miss it!

Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua - Two Worlds weaves Two Worlds weaves together the various strands of Marlon’s experience – musician, actor, son, friend and student of te reo Māori among them – as he reflects on his career so far and the challenges and pleasures of articulating his worldview in te reo Māori. The change of language casts a new and revealing light on Marlon and his creative process, while also acting as a catalyst for Marlon to reflect on love, music and life – and what he wants from his. Marlon’s journey is situated within the bicultural context of Aotearoa New Zealand at what is a tense moment in the nation’s history. In Marlon’s voice and art, one hears echoes of the musical traditions that have sustained and nurtured him: the buzzing marae, the classical training that refined his powerful voice, the country and folk genres in which he first found critical success. And in Marlon’s story, we can see the outline of Aotearoa New Zealand’s, as the country seeks to unify its fractious history into a cohesive future. All the while, the film – in keeping with Marlon’s laid-back personality – never takes itself too seriously, never forgetting that, at heart, this is a story of joyful self-discovery. And that is always something to celebrate.

Influenced by 1960s counterculture, the Beatniks, and the free speech movement, Mary Heilmann ranks amongst the most influential abstract painters of her generation. Offering a visually immersive journey, using rare archival material and in-studio conversations—taking place in the artist’s studios in Bridgehampton and Tribeca—this film explores her approach to art and her life’s practice.

Maurice & I is a feature-length documentary celebrating Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney’s hugely influential architectural partnership, and their legacy that was all but lost in the devastating Christchurch earthquakes. This remarkable partnership, their approach to design and their signature use of materials transformed the face of Christchurch in 60s and 70s, and influenced their architectural peers throughout New Zealand. Within a short decade Christchurch was to shrug off its reputation for somewhat stuffy Georgian and neo-gothic architecture for a distinctive ‘brutalist’ style that was bold, modern and often controversial. Then in 2011, almost the entire built legacy of Warren and Mahoney was destroyed. Among the buildings which suffered major damage was the Christchurch Town Hall, regarded by many, including the architects themselves, as their finest work. Internationally renowned for its elegant, brutalist form and sophisticated interiors, the Christchurch Town Hall revolutionised the design approach to performance spaces and acoustic engineering. As the Christchurch Town Hall’s fate hangs in the balance, Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney reflect on their remarkable partnership. Maurice & I combines rare archival footage alongside exclusive interviews with Sir Miles and Maurice Mahoney, including their final interview together. WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING: "The film Maurice and I ... It is a triumph. It has it all — drama, humour, heroes and villains, sadness and suspense — yes, suspense, even though the Town Hall’s outcome is already well known." - Architecture Now "Maurice and I is just a terrific wee film. There is a slew of New Zealand social history here, as well as a neatly condensed and focused history of architecture in the 20th century, all wrapped around a love letter to the city of Christchurch and a few of the people who have made it the place that it is." - The Post

From Éric Besnard (director of the previous Festival hits Delicious and A Great Friend), this historical drama offers an intimate look at rural life in the beautiful Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. In 1889, Parisian teacher Louise Violet (Alexandra Lamy), is sent to a small village to impose the free, compulsory and secular schooling of the French Republic. Miss Violet is met with a hostile reception from the locals and their stern mayor Pierre Lecomte (Grégory Gadebois), fearful of change and apprehensive of anything that might distract their children from farm work. If Louise is to win the villagers over, she’ll have to speak their language... As tensions rise, confronting the villagers also means confronting herself. Louise may be the teacher, but maybe the village has something to teach her... With rich period costuming and breathtaking vistas on display, Miss Violet is a compelling exploration of how tradition and progress can collide. A must-see for anyone who believes in the transformative power of education.

Just as Marion Cotillard was to La Vie en Rose, Golden Globe-nominated actor Tahar Rahim is to MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR, transforming into the iconic singer/songwriter for this lavishly entertaining rise-to-stardom biography of the man who beat all odds to not only become one of France’s best-loved entertainers, but personified French culture to the English-speaking world. Born in Paris in 1924 as the son of Armenian refugees, Aznavour’s formative years are spent in poverty, but distinguished by his parents’ passion for music and theatre. Ridiculed for his short stature and raspy tenor voice - traits he would in time fully embrace - Aznavour’s early attempts at a showbiz career during the Occupation falter. Whilst gifted, his material finds more success in the hands of others, including his friend Pierre (Bastien Bouillon), and later the imperious Edith Piaf (a scene-stealing Marie-Julie Baup), who becomes a highly influential mentor and supporter. But by the 1950s, Aznavour finally realises his own ambitions… Led by its star’s astonishing performance and stunning vocal prowess, MONSIEUR AZNAVOUR is a true tour de force - as intimate as it is spectacular - and serves as a triumphant reminder of the power and impact of music. Don’t miss it.

A sensation at Cannes and one of France’s biggest box office and audience favourites of the year (achieving over two million admissions and entry into the top five of 2024), writer/director Emmanuel Courcol’s wildly entertaining new film follows two very different siblings separated by fate and reunited by their love of music. Thibaut (the exceptional Benjamin Lavernhe, Delicious) is a beloved and internationally celebrated orchestra conductor who travels the globe. When a health crisis and subsequent DNA test inadvertently reveals he was adopted as an infant, Thibaut discovers the existence of a younger brother, Jimmy (rising star Pierre Lottin), who lives in more modest circumstances; he works in a school cafeteria, cares for his mother and plays the trombone in a community brass band. The pair seem to have little else in common other than a love of performance, but sensing his sibling’s exceptional talent, Thibaut decides to remedy the injustice of fate and try to help nurture his brother’s untapped gifts. An eruptive crowd favourite wherever it has premiered (notably receiving the highest audience score in the 51-year history of the San Sebastian Film Festival), My Brother’s Band is a rousing, feel-great trip to the cinema, expertly striking the perfect harmony between laughter and tears. Bring your family, your friends, and some tissues.

François (André Dussollier, The Crime is Mine) and Annie (Sabine Azéma) have been married for 50 years, and are happily enjoying their retirement. While decluttering the attic one day, François discovers a shocking secret - a stash of love letters revealing his wife’s affair from 40 years ago. François is faced with a tough decision: Does he take the high road and let bygones be bygones? Or does he call in favours from his past life as a French general to track down the man who has humiliated him? Deciding on the latter, François heads to Nice - where Annie’s ex-lover Boris now lives - for some French Riviera-style revenge! Will François’ ill-conceived quest for vengeance destroy his and Annie’s relationship in the process? This mischievous romantic comedy from director Ivan Calbéra (The Tasting) features stunning vistas, hilarious physical comedy and a whole lot of heart. Guaranteed to make you both laugh and cry, Riviera Revenge is a trip worth taking at this year’s Festival!

In 1930, the free-spirited Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (Louis Garrel, The Innocent) is a pilot for the French airmail service, flying alongside legendary aviator Henri Guillaumet (Vincent Cassel, La Haine). During one fateful journey, Guillaumet vanishes in the Andes. With the help of Guillaumet’s wife, Noëlle (Diane Kruger, Inglourious Basterds), and driven by hope and unwavering determination, Saint-Exupéry embarks on a perilous quest to find his lost friend. Along the way, he discovers that his incredible imagination might be his greatest strength. The true story of the author behind the French classic The Little Prince.

A true original, Austrian-born and educated R.M. Schindler laid the foundation for what is now known as the Californian style of indoor-outdoor living. This documentary explores the bohemian genius of the highly acclaimed Schindler House in Los Angeles, investigating Schindler’s philosophy of Space Architecture, while also raising questions about domestic architecture as a living entity that can shape culture and humanity.

Get inside the mind of distinguished artist, scholar, author, and one of the most renowned and significant landscape architects practicing in the world today, Laurie Olin, whose concerns have defined his life’s work: urbanisation, a lost connection to nature, economic marginalisation, and the grave necessity of humanity in design. In a time when global values increasingly reflect profit over people, Olin’s vision has always been to create a more democratic and egalitarian society through healthy, shared public space.

In 1985 devoted father Bill Furlong discovers disturbing secrets kept by the local convent and uncovers shocking truths of his own. WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING "It’s an electric, atmospheric, and deeply soulful look at what it means to be human, what it means to have empathy, and how faith should never come before people." ★★★★- Collider "With Cillian Murphy’s quiet, almost small and yet grand performance carrying the story every step of the way, “Small Things Like These” is quite possibly the best movie I’ve seen so far this year." ★★★★ - Chicago Sun Times

Charlie Heller (Malek) is a brilliant, but deeply introverted decoder for the CIA working out of a basement office at headquarters in Langley whose life is turned upside down when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. When his supervisors refuse to take action, he takes matters into his own hands, embarking on a dangerous trek across the globe to track down those responsible, his intelligence serving as the ultimate weapon for eluding his pursuers and achieving his revenge. The film also stars Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, Holt McCallany, Julianne Nicholson, Adrian Martinez, Danny Sapani, and Laurence Fishburne. “The Amateur” is directed by James Hawes. The screenplay is by Ken Nolan and Gary Spinelli based on the novel by Robert Littell. The film is produced by Hutch Parker, p.g.a., Dan Wilson, p.g.a., Rami Malek, Joel B. Michaels, with JJ Hook serving as executive producer.

A documentary about the design and building of a unique private holiday home in New Zealand. Darryl Church, founder of DCA Architects of Transformation, leads the narrative on the designing and building of a unique award-winning home on the picturesque banks of Lake Whakamaru. The film captures the essence of the location and landscape in a raw, honest, and often humorous, portrait. A one-of-a-kind vision 15 years in the making creates a meeting point and sanctuary for a family to gather.

Pierre Niney leads a stellar cast in Matthieu Delaporte and Alexandre de La Patellière’s thrilling new adaptation of Alexandre Dumas’ epic adventure The Count of Monte Cristo, the first French cinematic treatment of the iconic tale of romance and redemption in over fifty years. Marseille, 1815. The dreams of principled young sailor Edmond Dantès (Niney) are about to come true; promoted to ship’s captain, he can finally marry the love of his life, Mercédès (Anaïs Demoustier). But his success inspires jealousy… betrayed by his rivals, Dantès is denounced as a member of a pro-Napoleon conspiracy, and incarcerated without trial in an isolated prison. After years of solitude, Dantès befriends the inmate in the adjacent cell, Abbé Faria (Pierfrancesco Favino), who reveals the location of a hidden treasure on the island of Monte Cristo. An extraordinary plan is hatched to exact revenge on the three men who wronged him: assuming multiple identities – “the Count of Monte Cristo” among them - Dantès will first court his enemies, and then seek retribution… A true cultural phenomenon in France (where it stormed the box office with close to 10 million tickets sold), The Count of Monte Cristo delivers luxurious, spectacular big-screen entertainment, at once timeless and electrifyingly new.

The phenomenal Mélanie Laurent and Guillaume Canet take centre stage in writer/director Gianluca Jodice’s transfixing historical drama, evocatively depicting the last days of the French Revolution and the fates of Marie Antoinette and King Louis XVI. 1792. The official Parisian residence of the king, the Tuileries Palace, has been stormed. Louis, Marie Antoinette and their children have been arrested and confined in the Tour du Temple, a mediaeval chateau in the city centre. Far from the splendour of Versailles, where the family and their retinue had lived until only a few years earlier, they are vulnerable for the first time in their lives. While the King naively tries to keep spirits high and manners intact, his pragmatic and imperious wife is far more realistic about their predicament, and the destiny that likely awaits them… Drawn from the diaries of Louis XVI’s personal valet, this exceptionally crafted drama features not only marvellous production design and cinematography, but incredible costumes by twice Oscar-nominated designer Massimo Cantini Parrini, transporting the audience with its depiction of a period from which our modern world was born.

Experience the magnificent life of French actress Sarah Bernhardt, the first international star and an eternal icon, in all its dramatic glory - just as “La Divine” herself intended! Set in the dizzying theatrical world of stage lights, opulent wealth and delicious scandals, Bernhardt is expertly brought to life by Sandrine Kiberlain (November) in this decadent biopic from director Guillaume Nicloux. Shot amidst lavish and beautiful production design, but always focused on its protagonist, Nicloux’s decadent biopic is an experience like no other. Crossing paths with Alexandre Dumas, Sigmund Freud, Victor Hugo and more, Bernhardt’s fascinating story is told across three distinct time periods (1915, 1896 and 1886). Uncover the life of the world’s first celebrity in this vivid and compelling chronicle of a chameleonic actress who defined her generation.

The Documerica Project (52 mins) PRECEDED BY Tāwharau Lane: A Sustainability Exemplar (14 mins). The Documerica Project - In the 70s, 100 photographers roamed America to document the environmental movement after 30 years of unbridled consumerism.Nearly 80,000 images encompassed the immensity of a time when America was at its most fragile, in the midst of a social, economic, and political crisis, exacerbated by the Vietnam War. Tāwharau Lane: A Sustainability Exemplar - A short film about a multi-award winning project in the Highbrook Business Park.

Winner of the Special Jury Prize at l’Alpe d’Huez Film Festival 2025. After the theft of the century, the madness begins... On the night of May 19th, 2010, five paintings were stolen from the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris. The five artworks, from artists including Matisse, Modigiliani and Picasso, were estimated to be worth more than 100 million euros. While the paintings have never been recovered, this outrageous comedy tells a frenetic and madcap tale of what could have happened to these famous works. Melvil Poupaud (Jeanne du Barry) plays Yonathan, whose monotonous life is turned upside down when he encounters Eric (Sofiane Zermani), a brash, smooth-talking con artist/fence. When Eric hires Jo (Steve TIentcheu, Neneh Superstar), a skilled thief known as “The Spider Man of Paris”, to steal the paintings from the Museum of Modern Art, the three men’s lives are intertwined in an uncontrollable spiral. Anchored by a star turn from Melvil Poupaud as the perpetually anxious watch expert turned in circles by a fast talking criminal, this wonderfully told story takes audiences on an entertaining ride through one of the most famous art heists of recent times.

DOUBLE FEATURE The House: 6 Points of Departure (48 mins) screens with This Is Not a House (30 mins). The House: 6 Points of Departure - Inspired by ‘land art’ sculptors such as Michael Heizer and Robert Smithson, Thom Mayne was guided by the notion of house-to-natural-topography connection when designing the Crawford House. This Is Not a House - Art collectors Bruce Heavin and Lynda Weinman work with architect Robin Donaldson on an ambitious project and create an impressive, if slightly unconventional house. Organised in two levels, it is as much about working with the topography of the site as it is about creating a spectacular object.

Steve Coogan and a penguin star in this British heart-warmer based on the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, he discovered instead a complicated and divided nation – and a class of practically unteachable young boys. When he finds a small penguin washed up on an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside down – and the penguin becomes not only a valued friend, but also a teacher of life’s most important lessons, for Tom, the boys and many others. WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING "The Penguin Lessons is a charmer: a warmer of cockles, a tugger of heartstrings, even a jerker of tears if you’re not careful." ★★★★- Original Cin "Coogan brings a delightfully sardonic deadpan to the role of the bemused bystander observing the antics of penguins, adolescents and … military dictatorships." ★★★★- The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

An honest and life-affirming true story of the healing power of the natural world.

One island, 40 inhabitants, two scammers. On a picturesque island in Brittany, lifelong friends Jean-Jean (Didier Bourdon) and Henri (Gérard Darmon, Employee of the Month) find their quiet existence disrupted when one of their fellow villagers wins millions in the national lottery. The pair hatch a plan to befriend the lucky local and hopefully share in the winnings... only to find the winner has died of shock - ticket in hand! Jean-Jean and Henri must devise another scheme. In order to claim the prize, the friends will simply steal the unlucky winner’s identity... However, the pair soon realise that to fool the lottery officials in such a small town, they’ll have to convince the villagers - who all want a piece of the pie - to back their daring plan. Jean-Jean and Henri are out to prove that you’re never too old to raise a little hell in this crowd-pleasing comedy, a remake of the Irish classic Waking Ned Devine. With a winning blend of absurdity and heart, you’ll fall in love with the stunning sights of Brittany and its colourful characters. This charming story shows what a community can achieve when they come together (yes, even fraud).

Architect Bijoy Jain, of Studio Mumbai, welcomes us into his house and sheds light on the surprising human systems behind the chaos of Mumbai, and highlights the tendency to work with local materials, such as clay bricks. Along the way, he explains how spaces influence our emotional and physical wellbeing, revealing his life philosophy in a candid and profound manner.

Inspired by remarkable true events, acclaimed writer/director Pascal Bonitzer’s sharp and hugely engrossing new dramedy The Stolen Painting follows a self-assured auctioneer whose professional and personal integrity is challenged by the discovery of a long-lost masterpiece. Paris, present day. André Masson (César Award-winner Alex Lutz), a hotshot modern art appraiser at prestigious high-end auction house Scottie’s, receives word that a painting by Egon Schiele may have been found in a young factory worker’s home in the Alsatian city of Mulhouse. Though highly sceptical, André travels to view the canvas with his ex-partner Bettina (the superb Léa Drucker, Roxane) who is also an expert valuator, only to be convinced of its authenticity as a masterwork long-assumed destroyed by Nazi officials during WWII. For André, the ramifications of this once-in-a-lifetime find for his career and for his contentious relationship with his less-than-reliable intern Aurore (Louise Chevillotte), will prove both unexpected and transformative. Skilfully brought to life by an array of endearing and duplicitous characters, The Stolen Painting is a thrilling exploration of the often cynical world of art dealing and collecting, where the jaw-dropping prices aren’t always related to the rarity of the object or the desire of potential customers.

One of France’s most beloved and awarded actors, the remarkable Daniel Auteuil is also an accomplished writer and director in his own right, and the engrossing new legal thriller The Thread finds him once again in top form. Auteuil stars as Jean Monier, a well-past his prime defence lawyer who – ever since discovering he was responsible for a killer being exonerated – now prefers to work as a prosecutor. But one evening Jean agrees to help his over-committed wife and fellow counsel Annie (Sidse Babett Knudsen) by meeting with Nicolas Milik (Grégory Gadebois), a shell-shocked father of five who has just been arrested for the murder of his troubled wife. Milik’s predicament inexplicably touches Jean; the more he pieces together the events of the night in question, the more he becomes convinced of Milik’s innocence. Soon Jean rediscovers his passion for his vocation, and becomes obsessed with exposing the killer. Characterised by typically first-rate performances from its stellar cast, this pulled-from-the-headlines drama is a gripping exploration of guilt, conceit and the slippery nature of justice. A major word of mouth hit at the French box office in late 2024, The Thread packs a genuine punch, with a conclusion that lingers long after the credits have rolled.

Winner of the 2024 Cannes Film Festival SACD Best Screenplay award and opening night film of the Director’s Fortnight section, This Life of Mine is a witty and moving take on midlife crises from late director Sophie Fillières. The film follows Barberie “Barbie” Bichette (Agnès Jaoui), once a devoted mother, now struggling with the challenges of her chaotic home/work life. On the brink of her 55th birthday, Barbie must decide whether to conform to society’s dismissive view of aging women or break the mould. What follows is a funny yet poignant journey of self-discovery, as Barbie escapes to the Scottish Highlands to reclaim her identity.

Emmanuel Mouret, the award-winning director of Love Affair(s), returns to contemporary stories of love, loss, and entanglement with effortless style. Three Friends follows Alice (Camille Cottin, Call My Agent!), Rebecca (Sara Forestier), and Joan (India Hair, Annie’s Fire), all going through major relationship crises at the same time. Joan has fallen out of love with her husband Victor, and while Alice tries to reassure her, her own relationship has plateaued. Meanwhile Rebecca is in the thick of an affair... that happens to be with Alice’s husband Eric. When Joan decides to end her marriage, Victor suddenly goes missing. Joan, Alice and Rebecca begin to find their charades unravelling. How much longer can the truth stay hidden? Three friends, three lies, three truths. Weaving between funny and poignant, Three friends is a compelling story you won’t want to miss!

Tinā is the story of Samoan teacher Mareta Percival. Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta reluctantly takes on the role of substitute teacher at an elite, wealthy private school and is surprised to find children crying out for guidance, inspiration, and love. Using the symphony of her culture to empower her students, she forms a choir, bringing them together while unexpectedly rediscovering her passion for being a teacher and mother. WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING: "Tinā is a soul-stirring journey of loss, healing, and cultural unity. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll." RNZ "A simply stunning, crowd-pleasing delight." ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ James Croot- The Press

Investigating the monumental Tarot Garden and the Stravinsky Fountain in Paris, Japanese director Michiko Matsumoto guides us on a joyous retrospective of her friend and French American artist Niki de Saint Phalle, by combining photographs from her personal archive, with new footage. The film is a heart-warming celebration of de Saint Phalle’s ability to mix serious feminism with playful frivolity, and the decorative with the disturbing.

'We the Others (55 mins) PRECEDED BY Fruitvale: A Community for Regeneration (12 mins). We the Others - Brazilian design duo Fernando and Humberto Campan are renowned as ground-breaking figures in today’s creative landscape. Over the past 40 years, the brothers have not only left an indelible mark on the design world but have also been engaged in social initiatives, including developing Campana Park in Brotas – a sustainable space dedicated to nature and community. In the park they have planted 20,000 native tree seedlings and are constructing pavilions made with live plants. Through a series of interviews, and through the voice and presence of Humberto, the film aims to provide an overview on the prolific and remarkable lives of the two artists.

Premiering to rave reviews at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Performance for Pierre Lottin, When Fall is Coming is an evocative drama from the acclaimed director François Ozon (Everything Went Fine). The film follows loving grandmother Michelle (Hélène Vincent, The Extraordinary) who enjoys her peaceful retirement in a small village in Burgundy. When her terse daughter Valérie (Ludivine Sagnier, Swimming Pool) drops off grandson Lucas for the school holidays, nothing goes to plan... Book now for this “elegant game of bait-and-switch” (Variety).

Explore the remarkable life and legacy of the late feminist author Ursula K. Le Guin. Heralded as a ‘world builder’ and an ‘architect of language’, Le Guin is best known for her groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy works, such as A Wizard of Earthsea, The Left Hand of Darkness, and The Dispossessed. Her countless essays and poems depict alternative worlds in politics, the natural environment, gender, religion, sexuality, and ethnography.