The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival begins 28 October – 29 November at Palace Nova Cinemas

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The 2026 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival returns to Palace Nova cinemas from 28 October – 29 November this year including 36 films with 5 retrospectives. The films feature British acting luminaries including Dame Helen Mirren, Sir Ian McKellen, Saoirse Ronan, Andrew Scott, Olivia Colman, Andrew Garfield, Cynthia Erivo and Bill Nighy.

The festival includes new works from directors Danny Boyle, Mike Leigh, Anton Corbijn and Andrew Haigh, plus James McAvoy’s directorial debut highlighting this year’s programme which features dramas, documentaries, retrospective anniversaries and comedies. 

Opening the festival is the drama My Duchess from acclaimed director Mike Newell (Four Weddings and a Funeral) starring Dame Joan Collins as Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor. After the Duke’s death, Wallis retreats to her Paris châteaux surrounded by aides including her exploitative lawyer Suzanne Blum, played by Isabella Rossellin

The Centrepiece Premiere is Prima Facie starring Cynthia Erivo. Erivo commands the courtroom in a legal drama that follows a brilliant barrister forced to confront the justice system she once fiercely defended, adapted from Suzie Miller’s award-winning play. 

One of the special events will be the Australian Premier of the mystery thriller A Talent For Murder starring Dame Helen Mirren as Patricia Highsmith, the legendary author behind The Talented Mr. Ripley. Based on the play Switzerland from Joanna Murray-Smith, the story imagines a strange confrontation between a literary agent and Highsmith. 

Also featured will be the hit of the festival circuit recently the romantic comedy Wicker. Starring acclaimed British actress Olivia Colman and the brilliant Alexander Skarsgård, this fable tells the tale of an ostracised fisherwoman and the husband she wishes for. 

Another Special Presentation will be Ink, from award-winning director Danny Boyle, following the rise of The Sun, the newspaper that Rupert Murdoch and Larry Lamb moulded to become Britain’s most influential tabloid. Starring Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce and Claire Foy.

The Closing Night film is the Australian Premiere of the highly anticipated biographical drama Elsinore directed by Australian Simon Stone. Andrew Scott stars as the legendary actor Ian Charleson as he embarks on his final role in London’s National Theatre production of Hamlet.  

More information about the festival is available here;