– Skewering the Rules of Aristocratic Decorum –
Russell Hobbs’ British Film Festival AU is back with a sensational lineup showcasing British brilliance at its best with hotly anticipated new releases, documentaries and retrospectives, including Damian’s new film Fackham Hall.
The festival runs from November 5 – December 7, 2025 across Australia, with screenings at Palace Cinemas in Adelaide, Ballarat, Brisbane, Byron Bay, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
Fackham Hall is a delightfully absurd world of class, cricket, and cunningness — a gleefully irreverent spoof on the grandeur of period drama. In this riotous comedy of manners, lovable pickpocket Eric Noone (Ben Radcliffe) insinuates himself into the storied Davenport estate, sparking a forbidden romance with Rose Davenport (Thomasin McKenzie). But as family rivalries bubble and scandals erupt — including a disastrous wedding and a sudden murder — Eric finds himself framed, his future and Rose’s hanging in the balance. With a stellar ensemble cast including Katherine Waterston, Tom Felton, Emma Laird and Damian Lewis, Fackham Hall delights in skewering the rules of aristocratic decorum while still tugging at the heart. Conceived in the spirit of Airplane! and The Naked Gun, it lampoons Downton Abbey-style tropes with rapid-fire wit and affectionate derision.
Opening the festival is the Australian Premiere of The Choral, a sweeping wartime drama with Ralph Fiennes. The Special Presentation will beThe History of Sound starring and Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, a period drama that centers around the power of music. this year’s Festival Centerpiece is Anemone, marking the highly anticipated return to the screen of Daniel Day-Lewis. The film explores the complex and profound ties that exist between brothers, fathers, and sons.
For more information about the festival, visit their website here.