The Best of British and Irish Cinema Returns in 2025 with The British and Irish Film Festival
Cinephiles, mark your calendars — the Intrepid British and Irish Film Festival is back for 2025, and it’s bringing the firepower. Running from 29 October – 19 November, this year’s programme is stacked with premieres, prestige dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, and even a rock ’n’ roll reunion you never thought you’d see on the big screen.
And the best news? Tickets are on sale now. With more venues than ever before, including fresh stops in Waiheke Island, Whāngarei, and MTG Napier, there’s no excuse to miss out.
This year’s festival is all about celebrating stories that move, challenge, and electrify. Festival Director Fergus Grady puts it best: “This festival is all about celebrating stories that move, challenge, and entertain us, whether that’s through the humour of Four Mothers, the drama of Re-Creation, or the nostalgic fun of Spinal Tap II. We’re proud to bring these incredible British and Irish films to audiences nationwide, and I can’t wait to see people coming together to enjoy them on the big screen.”
Festival Highlights include:
- & Sons – Bill Nighy headlines in a powerhouse drama based on David Gilbert’s acclaimed novel, co-written by Oscar-winner Sarah Polley. Expect family secrets, big revelations, and a literary giant calling his sons home for one unbelievable announcement.
- Dead of Winter – Emma Thompson gets fierce in this taut psychological thriller that’s already drawing awards buzz.
- I Swear – A Toronto Film Festival favourite, this inspirational true story follows John Davidson, a trailblazer who helped the world better understand Tourette Syndrome through courage and humour.
- Spinal Tap II: The End Continues – The boys are back, louder than ever. With cameos from Paul McCartney and Elton John, this is the rock reunion of the decade.
- The Choral – Ralph Fiennes brings gravitas to Nicholas Hytner’s sweeping WWI-set drama about young men finding hope and harmony in music.
- The History of Sound – Cannes darling Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor star in a tender, haunting tale of love, loss, and recording the voices of a generation during WWI.
- Four Mothers – A joyful, chaotic comedy about family, love, and the ties that bind.
- Glenrothan – Brian Cox steps behind the camera for his directorial debut, weaving a story of family, whisky, and homecoming that’s bound to hit hard.
And that’s just the beginning. With a mix of world-class premieres, festival darlings, and long-awaited returns, the 2025 line-up proves why the Intrepid British and Irish Film Festival remains a must-see for serious film lovers.
The Intrepid British and Irish Film Festival runs nationwide 29 October – 19 November 2025.
Tickets are on sale now at britishfilmfestival.co.nz.
