This May, the 2026 HSBC German Film Festival presented by Palace, in association with German Films, will showcase the best contemporary German cinema direct from major festivals in Europe plus a selection from its German-speaking neighbours, Austria and Switzerland.

Everybody wants this. Nearly twenty years after first strutting onto the cultural runway, the icons of The Devil Wears Prada return for the long-awaited sequel, THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci slip back into their impeccably styled roles as Miranda, Andy, Emily, and Nigel, transporting audiences to the glamourous couture chaos of New York City from the glossy corridors of Runway Magazine to the fast-paced sidewalks that double as the city’s unofficial catwalk. The sequel stitches together the original creative team - director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna - reuniting them with the film’s core cast while unveiling a fresh collection of star-studded talent including, Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B. J. Novak, and Conrad Ricamora. Secure your tickets now. That's all...

A witty and delightfully offbeat mystery with a mischievous streak, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES finds unexpected intrigue in the rhythms of everyday farm life, led by a charming performance from Hugh Jackman. Life on the farm seems ordinary at first, until small details begin to stand out. At its centre is George (Jackman), a kind-hearted shepherd who reads detective novels aloud each night, never suspecting his flock is far more perceptive than he realises. As events on the farm begin to unsettle the usual order, the sheep find themselves drawn into something they don’t fully understand, relying on instinct, observation and what they’ve picked up along the way. As their curiosity grows, the world beyond the pasture begins to open up, bringing new encounters and unfamiliar dynamics. What follows is an unfolding investigation shaped by instinct, misdirection and the challenge of making sense of a world far bigger than their own. With its inventive spirit and lightly comic perspective, THE SHEEP DETECTIVES blends warmth, wit and a sense of wonder, finding delight in the everyday and celebrating the brilliance of the overlooked. A playful, family-friendly adventure that proves even the most unlikely heroes can crack the case.

*All sessions screening in 2D An immersive and visually striking concert experience, BILLIE EILISH - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR captures one of the most defining live shows of the year, bringing Billie Eilish’s singular artistry to the big screen with rare intimacy and scale. Directed by Academy Award winner James Cameron and Billie Eilish herself, the film is drawn from her sold-out global tour, translating its bold visuals, genre-defying sound and unmistakable voice into a cinematic experience that feels both expansive and deeply personal. Moving between fragile, stripped-back moments and full-scale, electrifying performances, it blurs the line between spectacle and confession, revealing an artist completely in command of her voice and vision - and at times, more open, more exposed, and perhaps even happier than ever. A two-time Academy Award winner and nine-time Grammy Award winner, Billie Eilish continues to define her own path, making this a powerful and unforgettable event for fans and newcomers alike.

The man. The music. The legend. From acclaimed director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) comes MICHAEL, the highly anticipated cinematic portrait of one of the most influential artists of all time, starring Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in his feature film debut. Tracing his extraordinary rise from the young star of the Jackson 5 to the global icon who redefined pop music, MICHAEL explores the life behind the spectacle, capturing the creative ambition, personal challenges and relentless drive that shaped the King of Pop. Directed by Fuqua and written by Academy Award nominee John Logan (Gladiator), the film brings together a powerful ensemble including Colman Domingo (Joe Jackson), Nia Long (Katherine Jackson) and Miles Teller (John Branca), alongside Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael. Featuring the music, moves and moments that defined a generation, MICHAEL is an electrifying big-screen experience that celebrates the legacy of a cultural icon whose impact continues to shape music and performance today.

From internationally acclaimed filmmaker Yannis Smaragdis, KAPODISTRIAS (THE GOVERNOR) is a sweeping historical epic that brings to life one of Greece’s most defining figures. At its centre is Ioannis Kapodistrias, a visionary diplomat and the first Governor of modern Greece, called upon to lead a newly independent nation through a fragile and uncertain beginning. As he works to unify a divided country, he faces political resistance, personal sacrifice and the immense weight of shaping a national identity. Epic in scale and grounded in human conviction, KAPODISTRIAS is a powerful portrait of leadership, faith and legacy, capturing the life of a man whose ideals helped define a nation

From New Line Cinema comes the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, Mortal Kombat II. This time, the fan favorite champions—now joined by Johnny Cage himself—are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders. Karl Urban stars as Johnny Cage, alongside Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, with Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion. Director Simon McQuoid returns to helm the follow up to his explosive 2021 cinematic adventure, from a screenplay by Jeremy Slater, based on the videogame created by Ed Boon and John Tobias.

Lover, You Should’ve Come Over. Academy Award nominated director Amy Berg (Deliver Us from Evil) depicts an intimate look into the life of the late Jeff Buckley, the rising young star with an otherworldly voice and boundary-pushing artistry, who left the '90s music world reeling when he died suddenly, at age 30, after the release of his critically acclaimed debut album ‘Grace’. Told through never-before-seen footage from Buckley's archives and deeply personal accounts from his mother Mary Guibert, former partners Rebecca Moore and Joan Wasser, Jeff's former bandmates, including Michael Tighe and Parker Kindred, and luminaries like Ben Harper and Aimee Mann. IT'S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLEY illuminates one of modern music's most influential and enigmatic figures, exploring the complexities and multifaceted layers of pleasure and pain within both his life and music.

We’ve been expecting you. From modern horror master, writer-director Damian McCarthy, comes HOKUM, a classic haunted house horror story that pushes the genre further, threading grief, psychosis and folk legend into a knot that never quite loosens. When depressed and misanthropic novelist Ohm Bauman (Golden Globe Nominee Adam Scott) retreats to a remote inn in Ireland to scatter his long-dead parents' ashes, he becomes consumed by tales of a witch haunting the honeymoon suite. Disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance force him to confront dark corners of his own past and rethink his perpetual cynicism. Following on from his modern cult horror classic ODDITY, McCarthy delves into the heightened emotions of guilt and regret in HOKUM, tying together a deeply chilling supernatural tale and a compelling personal exploration of grief and the long shadow of trauma.

The superb new film from multi-award winning writer/director François Ozon ('Swimming Pool', '8 Women', 'Under the Sand'), THE STRANGER is a gripping adaptation of Albert Camus’ landmark novella about a detached young expat under trial for murder in French-colonised Algeria. Summer, 1938. Meursault (Benjamin Voisin, 'Lost Illusions'), a quiet and unassuming clerk in his early thirties, attends his mother’s funeral. The next day, he begins a casual affair with Marie (Rebecca Marder), a colleague randomly encountered at the local baths, and quickly slips back into routine. However, daily life is soon disrupted by his volatile neighbour (an excellent Pierre Lottin, My Brother’s Band), who draws Meursault into an altercation involving an ex-lover. And then, one blisteringly hot afternoon, an inexplicable event occurs on a beach, one that will see Meursault’s very moral standing brought to question… Visually resplendent with sensuous black-and-white images, Ozon’s elegant and masterfully realised film shines a contemporary lens on Camus' classic tale of dissociation and morality, capturing the beauty and heat of a charged society on the boil. Both impactful and mysterious, THE STRANGER is must-see French cinema of the highest order.

Believe in the Hail Mary. Based on the New York Times bestselling novel by Andy Weir - acclaimed for his award-winning hit, ‘The Martian’ - PROJECT HAIL MARY is a spectacular new sci-fi thriller starring Academy Award nominee Ryan Gosling. From Oscar-winning filmmakers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, this gripping space thriller follows a lone astronaut (Gosling) who wakes up in deep space with no memory. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone. Also starring Academy Award nominee Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest), prepare for an out-of-this-world cinematic experience and one of the biggest sci-fi events of the year.

It’s never too late to begin again. CALLE MÁLAGA is a vibrant, heartfelt, and quietly uplifting Spanish drama led by a radiant performance from screen legend Carmen Maura. Set against the sun-drenched backdrop of Tangier, the film follows María Ángeles (Maura), a fiercely independent 79-year-old whose life is thrown into disarray when her daughter arrives with plans to sell her home. What begins as a family conflict soon becomes something more unexpected - a journey of resistance, reinvention, and rediscovery. As María Ángeles pushes back against the future being decided for her, she finds herself embracing new connections, long-forgotten desires, and a renewed sense of freedom, proving that life’s most meaningful chapters can arrive when least expected. Warm, life-affirming, and rich with humour and humanity, CALLE MÁLAGA is a celebration of independence, identity and the joy of living life entirely on your own terms.

Save the date… Written & directed by Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself, Dream Scenario) and from indie powerhouse A24 comes THE DRAMA, a sharp, off-kilter comedy starring the powerhouse match made in acting heaven, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson. Zendaya and Pattinson play a couple who seem flawlessly paired until their big day starts to feel less like a fairytale and more like a dress rehearsal for disaster. Borgli’s signature blend of cringe and dark wit peels back the fondant layers of modern romance to reveal the anxieties, ambitions, and absurdities hiding beneath the buttercream. As champagne flutes crack and carefully written vows are called into question, THE DRAMA becomes a comedic autopsy of commitment in the age of performance. Is the wedding a promise, or just a production? With A24’s flair for the beautifully uncomfortable, the film toasts to romance while gleefully smashing the cake in its own face.

The always-terrific Grégory Gadebois re-teams with writer/director Éric Besnard ('Delicious') for a poignant new adaptation of Victor Hugo’s masterpiece Les Miserables, charting the origin story of Jean Valjean, the beloved tale’s iconic protagonist. 1815. Provence, France. In the peaceful village of Digne, there’s a rumour that a dangerous man has entered the area. The hulking Jean (Gadebois) has just been released from prison after nineteen years of hard labour. Issued with identification that forever sees him branded a criminal and ostracised, Jean is not surprised to be repeatedly turned away as he seeks refuge for the night. Desperate, he unknowingly knocks at the door of the house of Monseigneur Bienvenu (Bernard Campan), who lives simply with his sister (Isabelle Carré) and a lone servant (Alexandra Lamy). Against all odds, Bienvenu invites him in. On this crucial night, Jean will face a choice that will define his future... A gripping exploration of justice, grace and moral redemption, Besnard’s reflective and intimate drama - and Gadebois’ towering central performance - bring great depth to Hugo’s hero, a spurned man transformed by kindness and compassion.

New adventure loading… Powerhouses of animation, Nintendo and Illumination (Despicable Me) join forces once again for THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2023 box office smash-hit ‘The Super Mario Bros. Movie’, adapted from the most successful video game franchise of all time. Based on the beloved Super Mario Galaxy games, the epic new celestial journey shoots for the stars and expands on the vast Super Mario universe with new friends and new galaxies to explore. Featuring the out-of-this-world cast and characters from the first film including Chris Pratt as Mario, Anya Taylor-Joy as Princess Peach, Jack Black as Bowser and Charlie Day as Luigi, alongside fan favourite new additions Donald Glover as Yoshi and Brie Larson as cosmic princess Rosalina. Let's-a-go!

Every day, a new world awaits. From director Ben Gregor comes THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE, a magical family adventure based on Enid Blyton’s beloved classic, starring Andrew Garfield (Tim), Claire Foy (Polly) and Nicola Coughlan (Silky). When siblings Beth, Joe and Fran move to the English countryside with their parents, they discover a towering magical tree hidden deep within the forest, home to eccentric residents including Moonface (Nonso Anozie), Dame Washalot (Jessica Gunning) and the ever-curious Saucepan Man (Dustin Demri-Burns). At the very top, a gateway leads to ever-changing lands filled with surprises, mischief and adventure. As each new world unfolds, the children are swept into playful journeys that bring their family closer together. With a stellar ensemble including Rebecca Ferguson and Jennifer Saunders, THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE is a joyful, imaginative big-screen adventure for audiences of all ages, where every visit promises something new.

Based on the global hit video game created by KOTAKE CREATE, this mind-bending psychological thriller comes to cinemas on April 23 in Australia and New Zealand. A man becomes increasingly desperate when he finds himself trapped in an endless, sterile subway passageway with no way out. He finds a set of rules: do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you discover an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don’t, carry on. Then leave from Exit 8. When even a single mistake will send him back to the beginning, will he ever escape this purgatory?

A simple task. An impossible journey. From acclaimed writer and director Hasan Hadi comes THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE, the Cannes Camera d’Or and Audience Award-winning debut that offers a poignant and darkly humorous portrait of childhood under extraordinary circumstances. Set in 1990s Iraq, the film follows nine-year-old Lamia (Baneen Ahmad Nayyef), who is selected to bake a mandatory cake for the president’s birthday - a task that carries serious consequences if she fails. In a landscape defined by scarcity and fear, Lamia sets out on a perilous journey with her friend Saeed (Sajad Mohamad Qasem), navigating a world of unpredictable adults and impossible odds. Blending warmth, tension and moments of unexpected humour, Hadi crafts a vivid coming-of-age story that captures both the resilience of childhood and the quiet absurdity of life under dictatorship. Tender, visually striking and deeply human, THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE is an unforgettable big-screen experience and a powerful reminder of hope and courage in the face of adversity.

Act Natural… Pixar hops into its triumphant return with HOPPERS. In a world where scientists have discovered how to ‘hop’ human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, Mabel, an avid animal lover, seizes the opportunity to uncover the mysteries within the animal world herself. Featuring the voices of Jon Hamm, Bobby Moynihan and Piper Curda, this inventive and charming crowd-pleaser is already being hailed as one of Pixar’s best in years. A wildly entertaining ride that’s, quite simply, un-beaver-lievable.

Written by and starring Emmy nominee Kevin James, SOLO MIO is a charming Italy-set romantic comedy-drama that features a star-studded supporting cast including Alyson Hannigan, Kim Coates, and Jonathan Roumie. Blending heartfelt emotion with fish-out-of-water humour, the story follows a groom-to-be whose dream wedding unravels in spectacular fashion when he is left at the altar in Rome. Rather than cancel the trip, he impulsively embarks on what was meant to be his romantic honeymoon - alone. As he navigates the beauty, chaos, and unexpected encounters of the Eternal City, his solo journey becomes one of self-discovery, resilience, and second chances. Through awkward misadventures, surprising friendships, and the possibility of new romance, SOLO MIO explores how heartbreak can sometimes open the door to a life you never planned, but might just need.

Step into a delightfully absurd world of class, cricket, and cunning in FACKHAM HALL — 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. This is Jimmy Carr’s screenwriting debut, and his love for the absurd infuses every line from high tea to low skulduggery. FACKHAM HALL will leave audiences chuckling behind their gloved hands and eager for another scandal at the manor. Pearl clutching optional.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary; it’s time to be called back to TOP GUN, the Naval Fighter Weapons School where the best of the best train to refine their elite flying skills. When hotshot fighter pilot Maverick is sent to the school, his reckless attitude and cocky demeanor put him at odds with the other pilots, especially the cool and collected Iceman.

Paris. A shocking death, a determined psychiatrist, and a truth no one else wants to see. When Paula Cohen-Solal (Virginie Efira, Waiting for Bojangles, AF FFF22) is found dead, the authorities rule it a suicide. But her psychiatrist, Lilian Steiner (Jodie Foster in her first major French-language role), refuses to accept it. Convinced that Paula’s husband Simon (Mathieu Amalric, Sink or Swim, AF FFF19) is involved, she decides to investigate on her own – even if it means venturing far beyond her professional limits. With the help of her ex-husband Gabriel (Daniel Auteuil, Love Boat, AF FFF25) and a hypnotist whose sessions trigger unsettling visions, Lilian is plunged into a labyrinth where memory, intuition, and doubt collide. Each vision brings her closer to the truth… or deeper into danger. Jodie Foster delivers a riveting performance worthy of her two Oscars and four Golden Globes, and showcases her sensational linguistic and emotional precision. Directed by Rebecca Zlotowski (Other People’s Children, AF FFF23), the film reimagines the investigative thriller with a bold twist – blending tension, dark humour, and witty couple dynamics within a charged psychological setting. Premiering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, this sharp, stylish investigation keeps audiences guessing until the very end. Do not miss it!

When billions are stolen, they’re the pros who steal it back. From Emmy nominated director Guy Ritchie (The Gentleman, Sherlock Holmes) comes the action thriller, IN THE GREY, which follows a covert team of elite operatives living in the shadows. When a ruthless despot steals a billion-dollar fortune, the trio are sent to recover it on what would be for anyone else a suicide mission. What begins as an impossible heist quickly spirals into something more sinister, escalating into a high-stakes battle of strategy, deception, and survival. Featuring a standout ensemble cast, including Academy Award nominee Jake Gyllenhaal, Henry Cavill and Eiza González as the enigmatic trio, alongside Academy Award nominee Rosamund Pike.

How do we shed old stories about how love should be and write new ones? Described as a fractured fairytale of resilience and grace, LIFE COULD BE A DREAM follows Sarah, a forty-year-old woman standing at the threshold of a life she’s never lived. As she and her teenage son Otis navigate their way toward freedom, they must confront both external threats and the mythology Sarah has held about rescue and relationships. Finding temporary sanctuary in a luxurious estate she’s been tasked with selling, Sarah begins to imagine a different future one defined by choice rather than fear. This is a story about breaking cycles: a mother trying to model strength for her son while learning, herself, what it means to let go and begin again. At its heart lies the fierce and fragile bond between Sarah and Otis as they redefine their relationship and discover what liberation can look like. LIFE COULD BE A DREAM reveals the hidden struggles many face behind closed doors and searches for a path forward. Director Jasmin Tarasin brings an intimate understanding to this story of freedom and family, examining how cycles can be broken, allowing the next generation to choose differently. A donation of $1 from every ticket sold across the Palace Cinemas circuit during the release of the film will be made to The Man Cave, an Australian preventative mental health charity for boys and young men.

Fame demands devotion. From acclaimed writer and director David Lowery (The Green Knight, A Ghost Story) comes MOTHER MARY, a bold new drama from A24 featuring commanding performances from Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway and BAFTA winner Michaela Coel. A bold and intoxicating psychosexual melodrama set against the glittering machinery of global pop stardom, the film pulses with original music by Jack Antonoff, Charli XCX and FKA twigs. Seductive, visually arresting and unapologetically provocative, Lowery’s latest examines the cost of constructing a myth in an age that worships spectacle. At its centre is a world-famous music icon preparing for a comeback and the visionary fashion designer who helped shape her image. When the two women reunite, admiration begins to blur into rivalry, and long-buried tensions surface as creative control shifts. As the mythology surrounding a carefully curated persona starts to fracture, devotion turns volatile. Bold, sensorial and driven by powerhouse performances, MOTHER MARY is an electrifying examination of authorship, identity and desire.

Be careful what you wish for. From writer-director Curry Barker, comes the chilling horror-thriller OBSESSION, a cynical and twisted love story that dives head deep into the horror of what being with someone by any means necessary could do to you. After breaking the mysterious "One Wish Willow" to win his crush Nikki's (Inde Navarrette) heart, Bear (Michael Johnston) a young hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for. When Nikki quickly becomes increasingly obsessed with him to a frightening and violent degree, Bear soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price. With a standout, chaotic and unnerving lead performance from Navarette and an ingenious skewering of relationship dynamics, OBSESSION is a sharp, unnerving, and surprisingly funny descent into the dangers of wanting to be loved a little too much.

Three-time Emmy nominee Melanie Lynskey (YELLOWJACKETS, THE LAST OF US) and acclaimed NZ actress Robyn Malcolm (TOP OF THE LAKE, AFTER THE PARTY) star as Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse; two ordinary women who together stand up and take on the government, justice system and a company that will stop at nothing to protect itself, after the 2010 Pike River Mine explosion takes the lives of 29 men underground. This is a film about the powerless vs. the powerful, of people vs. money, of right vs. wrong. An inspiring true story of an incredible female friendship and together what is possible when you simply won’t give up.

Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi masterpiece CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, follows the life-altering event that occurs in Muncie, Indiana, where every day blue-collar working Roy Neary and single mother Jillian Guiler and son Barry encounter an unidentified flying object (UFO). After Barry is abducted by the UFO both Roy and Jillian start encountering strange images and dreams and must work together to save him. Starring screen icons, Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Melinda Dillon and Teri Garr, with music from Academy Award Winner John Williams.

Few modern scandals have captivated France as the astonishing events surrounding Liliane Bettencourt, the billionaire heiress to the L’Oreal fortune and doyenne of Parisian society. Now writer/director Thierry Klifa has freely adapted the incredible story into a captivating dark comedy, featuring a jaw-dropping, tailor-made role for one of France’s most iconic stars. Marianne Farrère (Isabelle Huppert), the head of the Windler Group, is the richest woman in the world. Pierre-Alain Fantin (Laurent Lafitte) is a vivacious dandy, writer and photographer. After meeting on a photo shoot, the two quickly become inseparable. Their friendship – one where Pierre-Alain is only too happy to take financial advantage – surprises, amuses, intrigues, and eventually unsettles the billionaire’s entourage and family. Most of all, Marianne’s daughter (Marina Fois) struggles with her mother’s sudden complicity with this younger man, but her husband (André Marcon) and loyal butler (Raphaël Personnaz) share her concerns. Surreptitious queries soon transition into a private investigation, resulting in extraordinary ramifications for all involved… With several twists too good to spoil, THE RICHEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD makes the most of its fabulous ensemble cast, but Huppert and Lafitte simply eat up the screen. This wildly entertaining film became an enormous box-office hit in France for good reason.