John (BAFTA-winner JARED HARRIS) and Mary (BAFTA-nominee JULIET STEVENSON) have lived in an agonizing limbo of grief and guilt for the past ten years. Their only child, Clare, ran away from home when she was fourteen and no trace of her whereabouts has ever been found. When Clare (ERIN DOHERTY) returns, now a young woman of twenty-four, Mary is overjoyed. But John comes to believe that Clare is not who she claims to be. As old tensions resurface, a gripping search for the truth unfolds.

Reawakening is the powerful, psychologically piercing and searingly emotional second feature from BAFTA-nominated writer-director Virginia Gilbert.

Regrettablly, due to low ticket sales the film's director Virginia Gilbert will no longer be joining us on the evening of Friday 1st November for a Q&A

A creative biography of the Scottish artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. One of the most important women in British modern art, the painter Wilhelmina Barns-Graham was a highly inspirational figure, whose work was deeply impacted by a pivotal event in her life.

In May 1949, this leading representative of the modernist St. Ives group of artists climbed to the top of the Grindelwald glacier in Switzerland, an experience which was to transform the way she saw the world. She spent the rest of her life capturing its shapes and colours, indeed its very essence.

In his essayistic portrait Mark Cousins delves into complex themes of gender, climate change and creativity, while laying bare the artist’s character and vast imagination so pervasively that he creates the impression we are seeing the world through her eyes.

Gallery East in Church Street are holding an exhibition of art by Wilhelmina Barns-Graham from 19th September to 2nd November

Folllowing our screening there will be an exclusive pre-recorded interview between our manager, Neil, and the director of the film, Mark Cousins

In the face of nightly air raids, East End mum Rita (yet another impressive turn by Saoirse Ronan) grows increasingly worried about her son George’s safety. Under the counsel of her father, Gerald (Paul Weller), she makes the heart-wrenching decision to send him to the countryside. But a few hours into his journey, George alights the train, determined to return to Stepney Green and his family. Friends and foes stalk London’s streets, but each encounter populates George’s map of his world, giving him an understanding of how his fellow citizens are affected by these tumultuous times.

From multi-award winning British director, Steve McQueen (12 Years a Slave, Small Axe, Hunger)

It is 1985 in the run-up to Christmas in a small town in County Wexford, Ireland. Bill Furlong (Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy) toils as a coal merchant to support himself, his wife and his five daughters. Early one morning while out delivering coal at the local convent, he makes a discovery that forces him to confront his past and the complicit silence of a town controlled by the Catholic Church.

Based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Claire Keegan.

200 years after its opening and a century after acquiring its first Van Gogh works, the National Gallery is hosting the UK’s biggest ever Van Gogh exhibition. Van Gogh is not only one of the most beloved artists of all time, but perhaps the most misunderstood.

This film is a chance to reexamine and better understand this iconic artist. Focusing on his unique creative process, Van Gogh: Poets & Lovers explores the artist’s years in the south of France, where he revolutionised his style.

Van Gogh became consumed with a passion for storytelling in his art, turning the world around him into vibrant, idealised spaces and symbolic characters.

Poets and lovers filled his imagination; everything he did in the south of France served this new obsession. In part, this is what caused his notorious breakdown, but it didn’t hold back his creativity as he created masterpiece after masterpiece. Explore one of art history’s most pivotal periods in this once-in-a- century show.

Made in close collaboration with the National Gallery.

We are delighted that founder of Exhibition on Screen, Phil Grabsky, will be joining us and the composer of the score for the film for a Q&A after the film.

Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) works as a lowly IT programmer, leading a double-life as a hacker at night, under the alias ‘Neo’. One night he is visited by a group of rebels led by charismatic seer Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), who imparts a shattering revelation about life as we know it, and seeks to recruit Neo to fight evil forces at work.

Rising to the reality-bending potential of their premise, writer-directors the Wachowski sisters pushed computer-generated imagery to stage gravity-defying fight sequences between Neo and the Matrix’s black-suited villain Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving).

Alongside its breathtaking spectacle, the film also tapped into contemporary philosophical unease about our over-mediated perception of reality, with radical thinkers such as Jean Baudrillard referenced in the smart screenplay.

25th Anniversary and screening as part of the British Film Institute's Art of Action series.

Art of Action is a new BFI season celebrating the artistry of real action choreography, that has kept film audiences on the edge of their seats since the early days of cinema. Presented by the BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN) using funds from the National Lottery, Art of Action will take place at cinemas across the UK from October-December 2024

We are delighted that film critic, James King, from BBC Radio, Sky and ITV will be introducing the screening. James has also written a book entitled "Be More Keanu" which we urge you to check out!

A quintessential big-budget thriller, with director Kathryn Bigelow utilising the physical prowess of her two leads to tell the story of an FBI agent drawn into a cat-and-mouse game with surfing bank robbers. Working on his partner’s hunch that a spate of bank robberies is being committed by a tight-knit gang of surfers, undercover agent Johnny Utah infiltrates the California surfing fraternity to uncover the identity of the ‘Ex-Presidents’, who commit heists while wearing facemasks of Ronald Reagan, Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Jimmy Carter. But Johnny comes under the charismatic spell of Bodhi, a free-style philosopher obsessed with extreme sports, becoming hooked on the adrenaline-rush of a life on the edge. Racing from one fast-paced and technically dazzling set piece to the next, with action unfolding on the surf, in the sky and through the streets of LA, Kathryn Bigelow simultaneously relishes and deconstructs the tropes of the ‘bromantic’ action spectacular. It’s a visually dazzling (especially in the new 4K restoration) and heady ride.

Screening as part of the British Film Institute's Art of Action series.

Art of Action is a new BFI season celebrating the artistry of real action choreography, that has kept film audiences on the edge of their seats since the early days of cinema. Presented by the BFI Film Audience Network (BFI FAN) using funds from the National Lottery, Art of Action will take place at cinemas across the UK from October-December 2024

The third instalment brings Paddington's story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears. With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.

The incredible ensemble cast includes Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Antonio Banderas, Olivia Colman, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Carla Tous and Jim Broadbent. Ben Whishaw and Imelda Staunton both return as the voices of Paddington and Aunt Lucy.

Adrian Dunbar (Line of Duty, Ridley) and Broadway royalty Stephanie J. Block (Into The Woods, The Cher Show) lead a stellar cast in a sizzling new 5-star production of Kiss Me, Kate, filmed live at the Barbican in London especially for the big screen. ‘A glorious Golden Age spectacular’ (★★★★★ The Telegraph), Cole Porter’s legendary musical comedy has backstage shenanigans, Shakespearean sonnets and singing gangsters – not to mention a romance that’s just too darn hot – and a full-scale orchestra performing the show tune classics Brush Up Your Shakespeare, Too Darn Hot, Always True To You (In my Fashion) and Tom, Dick or Harry. A simple love story about two people who just can’t stand each other, Kiss Me Kate is unmissable all-zinging entertainment with ‘great songs, hot dancing, smart gags and glorious characters.’ (★★★★★ The Daily Mail)

TICKETS ON SALE 25TH SEPTEMBER

While the state of the world today is no laughing matter, readers of 'The Daily Telegraph' can always raise a smile as they open up the newspaper.

No matter what the day’s news brings, cartoonist Matt Pritchett is sure to find something bizarre, silly or ridiculous.

‘I don’t ever think what I’m doing is important,’ he says. ‘But I think if you can laugh about something, it does suddenly seem less scary, less ominous.'

His wry illustrations and witty captions, tucked into a corner of the front page, have delighted the nation (whether Telegraph readers or not) for more than 30 years and are collated into ‘The Best of Matt’ annual, which is a staple for most Christmas stockings.

Now considered a local (he lives on the Norfolk-Suffolk border!) we are thrilled that Matt will be joining us to share some of the secrets of his working day.

How does he decide what is the subject for that day’s cartoon? How does he ’test’ a cartoon? Has there ever been a day when there is nothing to joke about? Who has inspired his cartoon characters?

Matt will be talking us through some of his cartoons from the past year as well as his career as a whole in what is sure to be an entertaining evening.

Tickets are £17.50 including a signed copy of ’The Best of Matt 2024’ (RRP £9.99) which will be presented on the night.

One additional ticket may be purchased for £12 without the book (after selecting a ticket with book, select General Admission ticket only and when you go to checkout this ticket will then be reduced to £12).

Written and directed by celebrated playwright Conor McPherson and featuring Tony Award-winning orchestrations by Simon Hale, Girl From The North Country reimagines 20 legendary songs of Bob Dylan as they’ve never been heard before, including “Forever Young,” “All Along The Watchtower,” “Hurricane,” and “Like A Rolling Stone.”

It’s 1934 in Duluth, Minnesota. We meet a group of wayward travellers whose lives intersect in a guesthouse filled with music, life and hope. Experience this “profoundly beautiful” Broadway production (The New York Times) brought to vivid life by an extraordinary company of actors and musicians.

For the past few years our manager, Neil, and our Box Office/Technical Assistant, Will, have been researching the history of the Riverside and have unearthed a vast array of fascinating photos, news articles and other items from our 109 year past.

Tonight's event will consist of a talk lead by the cinema staff on the history of the building which will feature slides and archive photographs, news articles and video clips.

The Riverside Project will lead on from tonight's event as we gather even more information of our history and start to interview various people from its past that will eventually form the basis for a documentary film that we intend to make about the cinema and its history, and intend to screen in September 2025 to mark our 110th Anniversary.

The evening will be a "pay what you feel" event and the proceeds will go towards the project to help with various costs in making the final film.

Thank you all for your continued support throughout the years as without it we would not be here.

Young Bailey feels caged in her Gravesend squat home. Reckless, wannabe drug dealer dad Bug (Saltburn's Barry Keoghan) plans to marry his new girlfriend. Older brother Hunter plots to elope with his underage partner. Meanwhile, across town, Bailey’s near-feral younger siblings are menaced by her mum’s new and violent lover. Small wonder she’s intrigued by the enigmatic Bird, a flighty free spirit searching for his own roots. Arnold (Fish Tank, American Honey) once again displays her wondrous ability to infuse coming-of-age stories focused on marginalized lives with uncompromising grit and a sensual connection to nature.

In the late 1970’s British Inventor Sir Clive Sinclair had a vision of creating an affordable home computer that could change the world. In 1982 Sir Clive released the ZX Spectrum home computer, selling millions of units worldwide and quickly becoming one of the most important technological developments of its time, opening the door to a world of possibilities for millions of people. The ZX Spectrum's accessibility meant many people learned to program and create their own games, kicking off the British Video Games Industry in the 1980’s!

The Rubber Keyed Wonder tells the story of the creation and development of the ZX Spectrum, the success it brought Sinclair, what impact it had through the various versions of the computer that followed, as well as covering a stunning array of games that were developed on the Spectrum including: Jet Set Willy, Knightlore, Chuckie Egg, Ant Attack, Saboteur and many, many more!

This highly nostalgic film features, rare archive combined with newly shot interviews with the original ZX Spectrum's designers, Sir Clive’s son and nephew as well as some of the Spectrum's greatest game developers from back in the day all sharing their memories of the extraordinary rise of the ZX Spectrum.

Whether you are a fan of the ZX Spectrum, grew up in the 80’s or 90’s or just love video games or tech history this film is for you!

Deliciously dark and frequently hilarious, this chamber horror considers how an innocent chat about theology can go terribly awry. Starring Hugh Grant in a brilliantly against-type performance, Heretic is a fiendishly irreverent tale of battling convictions. Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.

Half the fun of Heretic is waiting to see where it leads you next. It’s a chilling, provocative thrill ride, and it showcases Grant’s immense talents.

From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

The work of the artist and printmaker Angela Harding is instantly recognisable and much loved.

The intricate, stylised linocut designs of wildlife and landscapes were first popular through her greetings cards and magazine illustrations.

Then she became known for her distinctive book covers. She created the iconic image for 'The Salt Path' by Raynor Winn and has recently worked with the poet laureate Simon Armitage for his book ‘Blossomise’ and Isabella Tree for the illustrated version of ‘Wilding’.

Increasingly Angela’s beautiful artwork has been used for other products too - calendars, jigsaws, notebooks, bags and homeware.

This autumn, Angela has released a new book telling us something about this current stage in her life - her exploits watching birds and whales during a residency in Shetland, her time at the Knepp Estate compiling images for the ‘Wilding’ book, her return to watercolour painting, time on the wooden sailing boat with her husband, and travelling the countryside on her Brompton bike, but above all her love of being by the water.

This book is called ’Still Waters and Wild Waves’ and features over 50 original illustrations of dramatic seascapes and reflective rivers in both her stunning linoprint but also some striking watercolour images. There is also beautiful photography of Angela at work and viewing the scenery which inspires her, and there are images from her sketchbooks too.

Angela shares so much of her story and her work in this glorious new book, but she is also a warm, generous and hugely entertaining speaker so we’re delighted that she’s visiting us in Woodbridge to tell us more. And it’s a special place for her, too.

Angela and Mark moor their boat near Woodbridge and, each summer, sail the rivers and coastline of East Anglia. Scenes of Suffolk regularly feature in Angela’s work.

This is sure to be a tremendously uplifting and inspiring event, to cheer us as we anticipate the approach of winter and mark the first day of advent!

There will be the opportunity to buy Christmas gifts as well as getting your copy of ’Still Waters and Wild Waves’ personally signed.

Tickets are £25 including a signed copy of the book (RRP £25).

One additional ticket may be purchased for £12 without the book (after selecting a ticket with book, select General Admission ticket only and when you go to checkout this ticket will then be reduced to £12)

Speaking into a vintage microphone from his painting studio in the hills above Hollywood, Lynch takes us on an intimate journey through his youth. He talks about his childhood in small-town America, his family, the awkward teenage years, his anxieties and fears, and the people who helped him become who he is. Lynch recounts the influence his youth had on him as an artist and his subsequent move into filmmaking.

Combining home movies, stock footage, moody artworks and observations of him working on his paintings and sculptures, David Lynch: The Art Life, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in 2016, is an immersive and compelling experience. He’s an entrancing storyteller who delivers fascinating anecdotes. And the soundtrack, as you’d expect, is deliciously strange, dark and beautiful.

Screening as part of our year-long retrospective - Dreaming of Darkness: The Films of David Lynch

Please note this screening is part of Woodbridge Film Society's 2024/2025 Season and therefore not open to the public. You can read more about the Film Society and how to join here

Everyone has their own Chimera, something they try to achieve but never quite manage to find. For a band of tombaroli (tomb raiders, who steal ancient goods and archaeological wonders), the Chimera means redemption from work and the dream of easy wealth. For Arthur (Josh O’Connor of THE CROWN), the Chimera looks like the woman he lost, Beniamina. To find her, Arthur challenges the invisible, searches everywhere, and goes inside the earth – in search of the door to the afterlife of which myths speak.

Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci revel in the ritual and intrigue surrounding the process of choosing a new pontiff, in this tantalisingly tense Vatican-set drama.

The Pope has died. Cardinal Lawrence must lead the Conclave to select the new leader of the Catholic world. But as high-ranking cardinals gather, he discovers sides have been drawn and secrets that might destroy a future pope, perhaps even the Church itself, threaten to be revealed. Following his Oscar-winning success with All Quiet on the Western Front, Edward Berger presents us with another tale of conflict, albeit one where battles are waged in hushed tones in hallowed hallways. Fiennes, Tucci and John Lithgow make the most of Peter Straughan’s (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) screenplay, based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, albeit with Isabella Rossellini almost stealing the film as the formidable Sister Agnes.

A young boy is at the age where he's beginning to doubt the existence of Santa Claus. However, one Christmas Eve he hears a thunderous noise outside and, on investigating, finds it's being made by a huge train - the Polar Express. A kindly conductor asks him aboard and soon he and some other children are on a rollercoaster ride north to see the big man himself. Director Robert Zemeckis honed the use of "motion capture" technology when filming The Polar Express, and the technique perfectly suits this charming, fantastical nature of a film about the magic of Christmas.

Screening as part of our "Six for £6 Christmas Films Season"

Academy Award-winners Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman head an all-star cast in the fantastic, action-packed film that made Christopher Reeve an international star playing the greatest superhero of all time. From the doomed planet of Krypton, two parents launch a spaceship carrying their infant son to earth. Here he grows up to become Clark Kent, mild-mannered reporter for the Metropolis Daily Planet. But with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men, he battles for truth and justice as Superman.

Screening to accompany the new documentary film SUPER / MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY which is on Sunday 8th December at 6pm

Celebrate the holiday season with André Rieu's dazzling Christmas Concert, "Gold and Silver," exclusively in cinemas! This magical event embodies the festive spirit of Christmas, bringing joy, warmth, and sparkle to the big screen.

Get ready to be transported to the wondrous world of enchanting glamour that is André's winter wonderland! Under the sparkle of 150 chandeliers and 50 Venetian candelabras,feel your heart warm with the magical melody of all your favourite Christmas classics.

André Rieu will be joined on stage by his beloved Johann Strauss Orchestra, along with special guest artists and the young and talented Emma Kok.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate music, love, and Christmas sparkle, with André Rieu's new Christmas Concert in cinemas - " Gold and Silver ".

Join us for a fun filled all immersive production as we bring A Vicar of Dibley Christmas - the Second Coming to Woodbridge Community Hall on Saturday 7th December.

Geraldine Granger is the much loved and chocolate addicted village vicar where she runs chaotic committee meetings and organises quizzes. She decides to set up Radio Dibley, which unsurprisingly does not run as smoothly as expected with a rather startling on-air confession from boring Parish Clerk, Frank. With the Christmas Nativity play to audition, cast and rehearse. how about Elvis as one of the three Kings? But then who will play Joseph? With Hugo having been to furniture-making classes, he seems like the perfect choice and with his wife Alice expecting, the casting of Mary could not be better. Needless to say there is a riotous conclusion. This specially written stage play by Ian Gower and Paul Carpenter is adapted from the original TV series by Richard Curtis and Paul Mayhew-Archer. and includes all your favourite characters plus a few 'extras' to help get you in the festive mood.

Doors open at 6.45pm with the main performance starting at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £15.00 and include Festive Nibbles. There will also be a fully licenced bar.

This amatuer production is performed with kind permission of Tiger Aspect Productions.

For this production The Riverside Musical Theatre Company are supporting Comic Relief as their chosen charity.

TICKETS ON SALE FROM 9TH SEPTEMBER

The character that made Christopher Reeve famous was so much a reflection of the person who played him, as this moving documentary portrait reveals.

The story of Christopher Reeve is an astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, and his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman set the benchmark for the superhero cinematic universes that dominate cinema today. Reeve portrayed the Man of Steel in four Superman films and played dozens of other roles that displayed his talent and range as an actor, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

After becoming a quadriplegic, he became a charismatic leader and activist in the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care - all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera and dedicating himself to his beloved family.

From the directors of McQueen, Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, this film includes never-before-seen intimate home movies and an extraordinary trove of personal archive material, as well as the first extended interviews ever filmed with Reeve’s three children about their father, and interviews with the A-list Hollywood actors who were Reeve’s colleagues and friends. The film is a moving and vivid cinematic telling of Reeve’s remarkable story.

We're screening the original SUPERMAN (1978) on Saturday 7th December at 3:45pm

his Christmas, be transported into an ethereal world where a sprinkling of fairy dust makes dreams come true. This enchanting ballet by The Royal Ballet’s Founding Choreographer Frederick Ashton is a theatrical experience for all the family.

Cast: To be confirmed

Choreography: Frederick Ashton | Music: Sergei Prokofiev

The film recounts the troubled life of French child prodigy sculptor Camille Claudel and her long relationship with the married sculptor Auguste Rodin. Claudel was the daughter of a devoutly Catholic, socialite mother and a wealthy French businessman. While the latter was sympathetic to her highly iconoclastic, secular art, her mother found it odious.

Beginning in the 1880s, with the young Claudel's first meeting with Rodin, the film traces the development of their intense romantic bond. The growth of this relationship coincides with the rise of Claudel's career as she overcomes prejudices against female artists.

However, their romance soon sours due to the increasing pressures of Rodin's fame and his love for another woman. After Claudel's father dies, she's at the mercy of her mother's ire. These difficulties combine with her increasing doubts about the value of her work, driving Claudel into emotional tumult.

While her zealot mother wants her institutionalized, her sympathetic brother tries to comfort her and promote her artwork. The film contributes to a broader exploration of mental illness in films, depicting Camille Claudel's emotional tumult and the societal challenges she faced.

Juror #2 is a 2024 courtroom drama-thriller directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J.K. Simmons, and Kiefer Sutherland. The film follows Justin Kemp (Hoult), a devoted family man serving as a juror in a high-profile murder trial. As the case unfolds, Justin realizes that he may have been responsible for the victim's death in a reckless driving accident. This discovery forces him into a moral dilemma: should he use his knowledge to sway the jury’s verdict and protect himself, or let an innocent person face conviction? Kemp’s struggle between justice and self-preservation is at the heart of this tense thriller.

Joe Dante's hilariously overblown comedy horror cheerfully pits man against beast in a cosy suburban setting. Zach Galligan is the hapless teenager who receives the oh-so-loveable Mogwai, Gizmo, for Christmas, completely disregards the instructions not to get it wet or feed it after midnight, and watches, along with his girlfriend Phoebe Cates, the mayhem unfold when the goggle-eyed cutie starts birthing evil sprites as a result. Played almost totally for laughs (even Cates' monologue on how she found out there's no Santa Claus has a vein of pitch black humour in it), this serves as a delightfully offbeat reminder of how inventive and witty blockbusters seemed when you were a kid.

Dante’s critters-run-amok-in-snowbound-Spielberg-suburbia satire takes the Christmas milieu of It’s A Wonderful Life (Screening as part of this season on 18th December) and splatters it with cartoony carnage, anarchic comedy and a stripe of gleeful subversion a mile wide.

Screening as part of our 6 for £6 each Christmas Films Season

Beauty and the Beast will feature a host of CBeebies’ stars - and some new faces too! There’ll be lots of singing, dancing and laughs for all the family in this Christmas adventure that celebrates that the only thing that matters is what’s inside!

Narrated by Snow Raven, played by James Mackenzie, the story has been especially adapted for CBeebies by Isabel Fay and takes place in a magical setting inspired by Scottish landscapes.  There are brand-new characters to meet too, including funny garden gnomes, mischievous wolves and a sneaky Thorn Fairy.  Expect unexpected twists and turns as the story unfolds!

Courtesy of composers Banks & Wag, this Christmas special has a toe-tapping pop soundtrack that will have the whole family singing, moving and grooving along. Festive fun for all the family!

The Muppets perform the classic Christmas tale by Charles Dickens, the iconic Michael Caine playing Ebenezer Scrooge, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit. Miss Piggy, Gonzo and Fozzie Bear take up supporting roles as Scrooge receives visits from the spirits of Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future. The Spirits do everything in their power to show him the error of his ways and to help him find redemption and lasting happiness.

Screening as part of our 6 for £6 each Christmas Films Season

There have been many contenders over the past twenty years, but ELF is clearly the first and best classic Christmas movie of the 21st century.  Buddy, a human orphan raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole, learns that his father is still alive and on the naughty list. Determined to save his father from such a fate, Buddy travels to New York City to meet him for the first time and inspire some Christmas spirit, but the Big Apple is very different from the North Pole. Can Buddy save his father from the naughty list, but more importantly, figure out where Buddy truly belongs?

A breathtaking natural amphitheatre in Tuscany, Italy, bursts to life with enchanting melodies as world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli honors his 30th anniversary with a three-day concert event in his hometown.  

Journey to the Teatro del Silenzio (Theater of Silence), Lajatico, where once-in-a-lifetime performances showcase the Maestro’s extensive and beloved repertoire, alongside captivating duets with an unprecedented cast of global superstars, including Ed Sheeran, Shania Twain, Will Smith, Jon Batiste, Sofia Carson, Lang Lang, Nadine Sierra and more. With extraordinary staging, production, and visuals, set against a landscape of unparalleled beauty amongst the Tuscan hills, Andrea Bocelli’s sensational career comes to life in a truly unforgettable experience

Jimmy Stewart is George Bailey, a good man who has descended into despair because he considers himself cheated out of the life he could have had.

His Guardian Angel Clarence Odbody (Henry Travers), arrives in his hour of need to show George how loved he is by everyone in his small community of Bedford Falls and what life would look like without him.

A timeless story of redemption and hope that is an absolute treasure, returning to our screens in a beautiful new digital restoration

The setting of Joe Dante’s shocker Gremlins (Screening with us on 20th December) is a mischievous tribute to this film’s fictional Bedford Falls.

“Although peppered with colourful, sharply drawn characters, this is Stewart’s movie, instantly loveable as a small town dreamer who sacrifices everything for others. His journey to despair and back warms the cockles like little else. Enjoy it in a cinema so you can sob among others.” - Empire

Screening as part of our 6 for £6 each Christmas Films Season

Ismail Merchant and James Ivory (and Ruth Prawer Jhabvala – the scriptwriter who was an essential part of the triumvirate) made some of the most successful and popular films of the last 40 years – Room With A View, Remains of the Day, Howard’s End and many more. Their films starred many household names, such as Emma Thompson, Hugh Grant and Anthony Hopkins who all appear in this fond but clear-eyed documentary which follows not only their career and their films, but also their relationship; Merchant and Ivory were both business and life partners.

The film gives us a chance to see the bigger picture of how they came to make so many interesting films, and also how infuriating and impossible it was to work for them. A must watch for all their fans.

MERCHANT IVORY is the first definitive feature documentary to lend new and compelling perspectives on the partnership, both professional and personal, of director James Ivory, producer Ismail Merchant and their primary associates, writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala and composer Richard Robbins. Footage from more than fifty interviews, clips, and archival material gives voice to the family of actors and technicians who helped define Merchant Ivory’s Academy Award-winning work of consummate quality and intelligence.

With six Oscar winners among the notable artists participating, these close and often long-term collaborators intimately detail the transformational cinematic creativity and personal and professional drama of the wandering company that left an indelible impact on film culture.

Discover the enchantment of ballet with this sparkling festive treat for the whole family. Julia Trevelyan Oman’s period designs bring festive charm to Peter Wright’s beloved Royal Ballet production, as fairytale magic comes together with spectacular dancing in this unforgettable classic ballet.

Choreography: Peter Wright after Lev Ivanov | Music: Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky

Wicked is the highly anticipated prequel to The Wizard of Oz, based on the hit Broadway musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman. This epic fantasy tells the untold story of two iconic figures—Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), a misunderstood young woman born with green skin, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), a popular, ambitious student. Set at Shiz University, the film follows their unlikely friendship as they navigate prejudice, power, and the dark political forces in the Land of Oz. While Glinda basks in privilege, Elphaba’s defiance of the Wizard (Jeff Goldblum) leads her down a path that transforms her into the Wicked Witch of the West. As their lives take opposing directions, their choices ripple across Oz, forever altering its future. Featuring stunning performances and iconic music, Wicked delivers a reimagined origin story of the witches of Oz, challenging what it truly means to be “Wicked.”

It's Christmas time and the Griswolds are preparing for a family seasonal celebration, but things never run smoothly for Clark, his wife Ellen and their two kids.

Before there was Bad Santa, the Griswolds were already besmirching the holiness of Christmas with general ill will and sarcasm. That’s not what they set out to do, of course. In fact, having survived both Wally World and Europe, Clark (funniest man alive Chevy Chase) and his family are now attempting to have a “good old-fashioned family Christmas.” What could go wrong?

Screening as part of our 6 for £6 each Christmas Films Season

Moana 2 is the thrilling sequel to Disney's beloved 2016 animated musical. This time, Moana, now a seasoned wayfinder, receives an unexpected call from her ancestors that leads her on a daring new adventure beyond the familiar shores of Motunui.

Accompanied by the ever-powerful demigod Maui and a fresh crew of unlikely seafarers, Moana embarks on a journey deep into the far seas of Oceania. Their mission: to break an ancient curse that threatens a long-lost island once vital to her ancestors. Along the way, Moana and her companions must face dangerous waters, hidden islands, and mysterious foes—including a formidable sea monster.

A celebration of youth, friendship and the everlasting magic of the movies, Cinema Paradiso won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and is considered a classic of world cinema. Restored in 4K.

Giuseppe Tornatore’s loving homage to the cinema tells the story of Salvatore, a successful film director, returning home for the funeral of Alfredo, his old friend who was the projectionist at the local cinema throughout his childhood.

Soon memories of his first love affair with the beautiful Elena and all the highs and lows that shaped his life come flooding back, as Salvatore reconnects with the community he left 30 years earlier.

A homage to the inspirational power of the moving image, played out to a gorgeous score by the maestro Ennio Morricone..

Screening as part of our year-long season - CINEMA ON SCREEN

The lives of three women intersect and overlap in a haunting drama that sees the city of Mumbai play a central role. Prabha, Anu and Parvaty are employees at a hospital in Mumbai. They grapple daily with the opportunities and hardships of existence in the city. Balancing an immersive verité style with a touch of the surreal, Payal Kapadia’s Cannes Grand Prix-winning drama captures the many shades of working-class life in Mumbai. The result is a profound and deeply humanist meditation on urban migration and dislocation.

Neil’s Pick of the Month and in his Top 3 films of 2024

Please note this screening is part of Woodbridge Film Society's 2024/2025 Season and therefore not open to the public. You can read more about the Film Society and how to join here

Two childhood friends meet after years apart and rekindle a deep bond, in Celine Song’s remarkably assured feature debut.

This outstanding first feature by Celine Song is a beautiful, deeply romantic modern love story that embraces destiny, nostalgia and the immigrant experience. Na Young’s family emigrated from Seoul to Canada when she was 12. She left behind and lost contact with her childhood best friend Hae Sung. A decade later, Na Young is now ‘Nora’, an aspiring New York playwright. She becomes curious as to the whereabouts of her playground sweetheart, so searches for him online, only to find him looking for her.

Song’s profound romantic drama is an astonishing debut. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo bring nuance and sensitivity to their portrayal of Na Young and Hae Sung at different points in their lives, drawing out the subtleties of their internal selves. The relationship unfolds against a gorgeously shot backdrop, which is complemented by Daniel Rossen and Christopher Bear’s (Grizzly Bear) elegant score. A divine cinematic experience, this is what we go to the movies for.

"a must-see story of lost loves, childhood crushes and changing identities" - Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian - 5 Stars

The film is partly in English and in Korean with English subtitles

Olivier award-winning director Damiano Michieletto (Carmen, Cavalleria rusticana/Pagliacci) returns to The Royal Opera for a new production of Offenbach’s The Tales of Hoffmann. Conductor Antonello Manacorda, with whom Michieletto previously collaborated on Carmen, leads Juan Diego Flórez and Leonardo Caimi, who share the role of the poet E.T.A. Hoffmann, Alex Esposito as the Four Villains, Julie Boulianne as Nicklausse and Ermonela Jaho, Olga Pudova and Marina Costa-Jackson as Hoffmann’s unforgettable trio of lovers.

Helsinki, 1945. The end of the war brings a new sense of artistic and social freedom for painter Tove Jansson. Modern art, dizzying parties and an open relationship with a married politician: Her unconventional life puts her at odds with her sculptor father's strict ideals.

Tove's desire for liberty is put to the test when she meets theatre director Vivica Bandler. Her love for Vivica is electric and all-consuming but Tove begins to realise that the love she truly yearns has to be reciprocated. As she struggles with her personal life, her creative endeavours take her in an unexpected direction. While focusing her artistic dreams on her painting, the work that started as a side project, the melancholic, haunting tales she told scared children in bomb shelters, rapidly takes on a life of its own.

The exploits of the Moomins, infused with inspiration from her own life, bring Tove international fame and financial freedom. There's a daily comic strip, a stage play and stories that continue to delight people around the world. But as she begins to find her artistic identity she has to learn to find herself. Her unrequited love for Vivica is preventing her true liberty and only by learning to break away from her can she truly be free.

TOVE is a captivating drama about the creative energy of an iconic talent and her turbulent search for identity, desire and freedom.

A screening of the stage concert of the musical phenomenon, filmed at the Gielgud Theatre.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the world’s most popular musical, a unique opportunity to experience the spectacular staged concert version on the big screen featuring an all-star cast including Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Carrie Hope Fletcher, Matt Lucas and John Owen Jones.

With a cast and orchestra of over 65 and including the songs I Dreamed A Dream, Bring Him Home, One Day More and On My Own, this sensational staged concert is not to be missed!

Please note this screening is part of Woodbridge Film Society's 2024/2025 Season and therefore not open to the public. You can read more about the Film Society and how to join here

Suitable for all ages, this wordless nature documentary showcases the spectacular forest ecosystem supported by a majestic, 210-year-old French oak tree. Dispensing with voiceover, the film instead fuses innovative camerawork with environmental sounds and a vibrant score to immerse the viewer in diverse life stories from root to branch. Its cast of characters includes ants, acorn weevils, field mice, squirrels, Eurasian jays and tawny owls. The result is a mesmerising kaleidoscope of arboreal adventure, as entertaining as it is educational.

David Tennant (Doctor Who, Broadchurch) and Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Criminal Record) lead a stellar cast in an ‘enthralling’ (★★★★★ Daily Telegraph) new production of Shakespeare’s MACBETH, filmed live at the Donmar Warehouse in London, especially for the big screen. Unsettling intimacy and brutal action combine at breakneck speed as Max Webster (Life of Pi, Henry V) directs this tragic tale of love, murder, and nature’s power of renewal. With staging ‘full of wolfish imagination and alarming surprise’ (★★★★★ The Guardian), the immersive 5.1 cinema surround sound places the audience inside the minds of the Macbeths, asking are we ever really responsible for our actions?

TICKETS ON SALE 16TH OCTOBER

Join us for an afternoon of fast moving, hard hitting, toe tapping contemporary jazz from a spectacular 18 piece big band that features soloists and ensemble players from around East Anglia.

Horn Factory perform an impressive and extensive range of contemporary big band jazz by composers such as Buddy Rich, Bob Mintzer, Quincy Jones, Oliver Nelson, Maynard Ferguson, James Morrison, Bobby Shew, Sammy Nestico and Gordon Goodwin, plus arrangements of music normally associated with smaller groups, including Thelonious Monk, Joe Henderson, Chuck Mangione, Chick Corea and Horace Silver.

“There is nothing quite like the sound of a Big Band up close . Not to be missed!”

Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.  While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.  Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation, and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

Out hunting, Prince Siegfried chances upon a flock of swans. One among them transforms into the beautiful human Odette and he is immediately enamoured. But Odette is bound by a spell which keeps her captive as a swan during the day. Can Siegfried free her? Tchaikovsky’s sensational score combines with the evocative imagination of choreographer Liam Scarlett and designer John Macfarlane to heighten the dramatic pathos of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov’s quintessential ballet classic. Opening in Spring and returning in Summer, Swan Lake remains to this day one of the best-loved works in the classical ballet canon.

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock classic Jesus Christ Superstar returns to its roots with this sensational performance filmed in the UK during the Live Arena Tour.

An incredible cast including Tim Minchin as Judas Iscariot, Melanie Chisholm as Mary Magdalene, Chris Moyles as King Herod and Ben Forster as Jesus Christ, perform hit songs including “I Don’t Know How to Love Him,” “Gethsemane,” “Heaven on Their Minds,” “Everything’s Alright,” “King Herod’s Song” and “Superstar” in an exciting and contemporary interpretation.

Please note this screening is part of Woodbridge Film Society's 2024/2025 Season and therefore not open to the public. You can read more about the Film Society and how to join here

The stunning and utterly compelling directorial debut of Riley Keough (star of Daisy Jones and The Six) and Gina Gammell, winner of Cannes’ Caméra d'Or

At 23, Bill (Jojo Bapteise Whiting) just wants to make something of himself.

Whether it’s syphoning gas, delivering goods or breeding Poodles, he is determined to carve his way to the “American Dream”.

Meanwhile, 12-year-old Matho (LaDainian Crazy Thunder) can’t wait to become a man.

Desperate for approval from his young, unavailable father, a series of destructive decisions turns Matho’s life upside down and he finds himself unequipped to deal with the harsh realities of the adult world.

A powerful tale of life, hope and belonging created over a period of four years in collaboration with members of the Pine Ridge Reservation.

"Frida" chronicles the life Frida Kahlo shared unflinchingly and openly with Diego Rivera, as the young couple took the art world by storm. From her complex and enduring relationship with her mentor and husband to her illicit and controversial affair with Leon Trotsky, to her provocative and romantic entanglements with women, Frida Kahlo lived a bold and uncompromising life as a political, artistic, and sexual revolutionary.

Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón was a Mexican painter known for her many portraits, self-portraits, and works inspired by the nature and artifacts of Mexico. Inspired by the country's popular culture, she employed a naïve folk art style to explore questions of identity, postcolonialism, gender, class, and race in Mexican society. Her paintings often had strong autobiographical elements and mixed realism with fantasy. In addition to belonging to the post-revolutionary Mexicayotl movement, which sought to define a Mexican identity, Kahlo has been described as a surrealist or magical realist. She is also known for painting about her experience of chronic pain.

Shakespeare’s great love story is brilliantly retold through this modern ballet classic celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2025. The fervent longing of the star-crossed lovers is perfectly captured by Kenneth MacMillan’s impassioned choreography. The flourishing of young love is just as present in Romeo and Juliet's meeting on the balcony as in their final moments when they desperately cling to life in the tomb.

Come and enjoy a fantastic evening of entertainment jam-packed with non-stop hits, big-screen action, expert narrative and lots of fun.

You will be taken on a journey through several decades of pop as we celebrate the music of Jeff Lynne’s ELO, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers and The Beatles’ George Harrison, as well as the collective genius that was The Traveling Wilburys.

Although the Wilburys never toured, here you have the chance to experience what it might have been like to see them live, as we explore their many collaborative hits.

Now in its ninth year of successful touring this popular show is an up-tempo feel-good celebration of classics such as Pretty Woman, Mr Blue Sky, Please Please Me, End of The Line, Handle With Care, Free Falling, Blowin’ in the Wind, Tweeter and the Monkey Man, Heading for the Light, Only the Lonely and many more.

Based on the Academy Award® nominated film, Billy Elliot the Musical has won the hearts of millions since it opened in London’s West End in 2005. Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever. The original creative team behind the film, including writer Lee Hall (book & lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, and choreographer, Peter Darling, is joined by music legend Elton John (music) to produce a funny, uplifting and spectacular theatrical experience that will stay with you forever.

Drawing on Chinese and Italian theatrical tradition to evoke a richly-imagined, mythical Peking, Andrei Șerban’s dazzling production is a ‘blazing masterpiece’ (Financial Times). Rafael Payare and Francesco Ivan Ciampa conduct Puccini’s opera of love and revenge, with Sondra Radvanovsky and Ewa Płonka sharing the title role and SeokJong Baek and Gwyn Hughes Jones sharing the role of Calaf.

In the final months of his life Puccini struggled to depict Calaf's triumph: he died before finishing the final act of this grand opera. Turandot was completed by Franco Alfano two years later and given its premiere in 1926 at La Scala, Milan.

Turandot has gone on to have great worldwide success.

The Impressionists are the most popular group in art history - millions flock every year to marvel at their masterpieces. But, to begin with, they were scorned, penniless outsiders.

1874 was the year that changed everything; the first Impressionists, “hungry for independence”, broke the mould by holding their own exhibition outside official channels. Impressionism was born and the art world was changed forever.

What led to that first groundbreaking show 150 years ago? Who were the maverick personalities that wielded their brushes in such a radical and provocative way?

The spectacular Musée d’Orsay exhibition brings fresh eyes to this extraordinary tale of passion and rebellion. The story is told not by historians and curators but in the words of those who witnessed the dawn of Impressionism: the artists, press and people of Paris, 1874.

Made in close collaboration with the Musee d’Orsay and National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

Please note this screening is part of Woodbridge Film Society's 2024/2025 Season and therefore not open to the public. You can read more about the Film Society and how to join here

Travis has just been released from prison and it quickly becomes apparent that everything has changed while he’s been gone. While girlfriend Candice is on the up and auditioning to star in a musical, teenage daughter Kenisha is struggling in school and her relationship with her mum is tense. When Travis buys Candice her dream dress for an audition, rather than smoothing over the family’s problems, it ends up creating even more… As secrets and desires left unsaid threaten to spill out, Travis is forced to re- examine who he is and how he wants to be perceived in the world.

A debut feature from writer and director Dionne Edwards, Pretty Red Dress features breakthrough performances from Natey Jones and newcomer Temilola Olatunbosun, as well as the chart-topping singer and West End actor Alexandra Burke in her first film role.

Please note this screening is part of Woodbridge Film Society's 2024/2025 Season and therefore not open to the public. You can read more about the Film Society and how to join here

Robin Campillo, director of the acclaimed 120 BPM and Eastern Boys, mines the memories of his upbringing in post-colonial Madagascar to create a spellbinding, autobiographically inspired drama that mixes forms and textures to stunning and imaginative effect.

Inspired by his own childhood, the film is set in the early 1970s and follows eight-year-old Thomas growing up on a French Air Force base in recently independent Madagascar. From the innocent perspective of a child, the island is a paradise and a playground. But as adolescence grows near, he begins observing his parents and their circle of friends with new eyes, and childhood innocence slowly gives way to a more shadowy understanding of the hypocrisy and racism that defines France’s military involvement on the island.

As Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian beautifully summarised, ‘Robin Campillo has surrendered to the flow of memory to bring audiences a wonderfully personal film, created with tenderness, unsentimental artistry and visual flair.’

Brentwood Mac is a charismatic musical ensemble dedicated to bringing the timeless melodies of Fleetwood Mac to life. Their repertoire spans all eras of the band, from the early Peter Green days (Albatross), to solo tracks by Lindsey Buckingham (Go Insane) and Stevie Nicks (Rooms on Fire). They play a wide selection of hits and a few lesser-known tracks too.

Founded by a group of passionate musicians who share a deep love for Fleetwood Mac's music, Brentwood Mac meticulously recreates the sound and essence of the original band. Their attention to detail in capturing the nuances of each era ensures an authentic and unforgettable experience for audiences.  

From the haunting vocals of Stevie Nicks to the driving rhythms of Mick Fleetwood, Brentwood Mac pays homage to every member of Fleetwood Mac, delivering a performance that transports audiences back in time. Whether you’re a Fleetwood Mac enthusiast or a new listener, Brentwood Mac promises a night of captivating music that’s sure to leave you wanting more!

Following a string of sell-out shows we recommend you buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Love and death, gods and mortals, heroes and villains: it’s all here, in the thunderous second chapter of the Ring cycle. Following the glittering triumph of Das Rheingold in 2023, Barrie Kosky and Antonio Pappano plunge back into Wagner’s mythic universe. Christopher Maltman’s Wotan returns alongside an international cast including Elisabet Strid as Brünnhilde, Lise Davidsen as Sieglinde and Stanislas de Barbeyrac as Siegmund.

It has become the most performed opera of the cycle, loved and admired for its nuanced and intelligent exploration of complex family entanglements, expressed through music of astonishing power – perhaps nowhere more so than in the glorious music for the incestuous lovers Siegmund and Sieglinde.

Michelangelo - Love and Death offers a cinematic journey through the great chapels and museums of Florence, Rome and the Vatican, to the print and drawing rooms of Europe, to explore Michelangelo's tempestuous life. The film goes in search of a greater understanding of this charismatic and enigmatic figure, both through his relationships with his contemporaries and his ongoing artistic legacy.

The film invites audiences to intimately examine Michelangelo’s art and artistic process - from the Carrara quarries where Michelangelo sourced his marble, to the new technology being used to attribute works. The film also offers a rare chance to get up close to the mesmerising Rothschild Bronzes, which, following an extensive research project carried out by Academics in Cambridge in 2015, were positively attributed to Michelangelo after over a century of debate.

Key contributors to the film include art critics Martin Gayford and Jonathan Jones, Deputy Director of the Vatican Museums Professor Arnold Nesselrath and contemporary artist Tania Kovats.

Filming locations include Casa Buonarroti in Florence, Carrara marble mines, the Medici Chapel and the Vatican. These beautiful locations, combined with high-resolution views of Michelangelo’s greatest works, convene to create a staggering visual experience.

Please note this screening is part of Woodbridge Film Society's 2024/2025 Season and therefore not open to the public. You can read more about the Film Society and how to join here

Ulzii, a teenager from a poor neighbourhood in Ulaanbaatar, is determined to win a physics competition to get a scholarship. His illiterate mother finds a job in the countryside, leaving him and his younger brother and sister in the middle of winter.

Ulzii needs to find ways to keep their yurt warm and look after his siblings while preparing for the national competition.

If Only I Could Hibernate is the first Mongolian film to ever play in the official selection at Festival de Cannes.

Please note this screening is part of Woodbridge Film Society's 2024/2025 Season and therefore not open to the public. You can read more about the Film Society and how to join here

Donya, a young Afghan who moved to Fremont, California after serving as a translator for the American army, spends her days working at a fortune cookie factory and her nights wide awake battling between her desire to rebuild her life and the overbearing guilt she carries within. In a bid to connect with the world, she sends an unconventional message through a fortune cookie. Tinged with Jarmuschian deadpan humour, this sensitive immigrant tale premiered in the 2023 Sundance NEXT section before playing at SXSW and Karlovy Vary and closed the 2023 Edinburgh International Film Festival.