Join us for the Opening Night of the 2025 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival with the premiere of the Ralph Fiennes-led period drama, The Choral, the latest collaboration from BAFTA Award winners Nicholas Hytner and Alan Bennett that hits all the right beats.

Yorkshire, 1916, as World War I ravages the English countryside and strips small towns of their men, the local choral society faces near collapse. In a move borne of desperation, they turn to Dr. Guthrie (Festival favourite Ralph Fiennes), a formal and exacting choir master recently returned from Germany, to rebuild their singing ranks by recruiting adolescents in place of grown men at war. As Dr. Guthrie pushes these young voices toward a performance of Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius, the teenagers wrestle with impending conscription, growing up in the shadow of loss, love, and national tension.

With an original screenplay by Alan Bennett, his first new film script in decades, the film stars Roger Allam and Mark Addy alongside a commanding Fiennes. With sweeping landscapes, choral harmonies, and intimate moments of transformation, the film explores the power of community, music, and art to heal in the darkest times. The Choral stands as both dedication and celebration delivering a story of voices raised together, even when separated by war.

EVENT DETAILS:
Wednesday, November 5 | Check the sidebar for specific event times.

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION | Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane & Canberra
Enjoy delightful British fare, sparkling wine or mocktail, a sweet treat courtesy of Russell Hobbs and cinema snack courtesy of Lexus, before the Australian Premiere of The Choral. Plus, receive an official festival gift bag!

OPENING NIGHT TIPPLE | Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Ballarat & Byron Bay
Enjoy a delightful sparkling wine or mocktail before the Australian Premiere of The Choral.