Once Upon a Time in Suffolk is an anthology of new short films inspired by classic fairy tales and Suffolk legends, made by the region’s emerging creative talents. One of these films was made in Holton at the primary school. Over the two years of production more than 250 local people were mentored by industry veterans and gained filmmaking experience in a rural area where such opportunities wouldn’t otherwise exist.

From Red Riding Hood in Lowestoft to Rapunzel in Dedham Vale and some original twists on familiar things, these magical yarns are sometimes funny, sometimes dark, always heartfelt.

Stories are the beating heart of Suffolk. They live in the echo of footsteps through old churches, in the salt wind that rattles the windows of seaside cottages. These are tales of kindness and folly, of love and loss, of courage and consequence.

It must be the season of the witches… because Practical Magic 2 is here, at last! Grab your broomstick, the Owens women are back. It’s been 28 years since Practical Magic, could they not have magicked this sequel into existence any quicker?

But good things come to witches who wait, and the story of two witchy sisters brought up by their eccentric aunts is finally getting the follow-up we’ve been quietly summoning under our breaths for years…

Practical Magic went on to become a cult classic. It cast a spell over a devoted audience who returned to it year after year, turning an annual rewatch into an autumnal ritual.

Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman and Stockard Channing are all back to play the roles of Sally, Gillian and their aunt; Sally’s children Kylie and Antonia are played by Joey King and Maisie Williams.

The Goonies plunges a band of small heroes into swashbuckling, surprise-around-every-corner quest beyond their wildest dreams! Following a mysterious treasure map into a spectacular underground realm of twisting passages, outrageous booby traps and a long-lost pirate ship full of golden doubloons, the kids race to stay one step ahead of a family of bumbling bad guys... and a mild-mannered monster with a face only a mother could love. A family adventure classic from start to buccaneering finish, The Goonies is a cinematic treasure trove of breathtaking action, dazzling effects and shiver-yer-timbers thrills!

All tickets £6.00

A biting satire on modern society that actually makes more sense today than it did at its time of release, John Carpenter’s They Live is a cleverly envisioned, intricately layered & rivetingly told sci-fi horror that was far ahead of its time, and its critical take on the power of commercialism & influence of advertising on the masses is only growing more relevant with time.

The story follows a drifter who arrives in Los Angeles looking for work and stumbles upon a pair of sunglasses that allows him to see everything around him for what they really are. As he learns that the subliminal messages in mass media are part of a hidden agenda by aliens masquerading as human beings to keep the human civilization subdued, he tries to reveal the truth to the world.

Written & directed by John Carpenter (best known for Halloween & The Thing), They Live takes its time to establish its bleak atmosphere, and only escalates once all the pieces on the board are set. Keeping a firm grip on the pacing & build up, the director paints a grim portrait of what mankind is reduced to but it is the film’s close proximity with our current scenario that makes it compelling on so many levels.

Carpenter doesn’t hold back in illustrating the corrupting power of mass media and captures the omnipresent subliminal commands behind every advertising banner for what they are. Greyscale photography is utilized to illustrate the truth while colored segments represent the world that’s completely oblivious to the reality it’s living in. Carpenter’s score here may not rank amongst his finest compositions but it still works.

Coming to the performances, the cast is led by noted WWF icon “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and features Keith David & Meg Foster in supporting roles. Piper is surprisingly low-key here, compared to his volatile in-ring persona, and chips in with a measured input that aptly articulates his character’s emotions & confusion. David delivers a sturdy performance that stands neck to neck with Piper’s, while Foster’s work has an enigmatic quality to it.

On an overall scale, They Live is a brilliantly directed, deftly scripted, exquisitely witted, skilfully photographed, expertly edited, splendidly performed & finely scored example of its genre(s) that paints an unsettling portrait of the world we live in, and is another underrated gem from Carpenter that’s well deserving of its cult following. Smart, subversive & stimulating, this political satire has aged like wine and will continue to resonate strongly & more deeply as the years roll on.

The monumental first chapter of Antonin Baudry’s two-part historical epic, and a cinematic sensation in its native France, De Gaulle: Résistance chronicles General Charles de Gaulle’s defiant flight to London to ignite the French Resistance following the collapse of France.

June, 1940. France collapses and signs the armistice. In the midst of the chaos, one man refuses to give up. Alone against the odds, this unknown general flees to London to save what remains of freedom.

Without an army, without backing, without hope. But with one irrational conviction – France, his France, has not laid down arms. Taking the ultimate gamble, he seeks to convince the world that the battle for France is neither over, nor lost.

Reality, however, is unyielding and seems determined to prove him wrong. Yet, little by little, resistance fighters, rebellious students and determined soldiers rise up in England, France and Africa to join the cause. Their faith, audacity and thirst for freedom defy what history seemed to have written in advance.

Boasting an incredible international ensemble cast including Simon Russell Beale (The Death of Stalin) as Winston Churchill and Lambert Wilson (Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris), this breathless, beautifully shot drama explores the audacity, personal cost, and conviction required to spark a global resistance movement.

Under the oppressive heat of the Spanish sun, the fiercely independent Carmen attracts the attention of Don José. She warns him not to fall in love with her, but his obsession knows no bounds. Damiano Michieletto’s searing production returns, casting scorching light on the lust, violence and destructive desire of Bizet’s ever-popular opera.

An all-star cast brings this white-hot drama to life, with Ginger Costa-Jackson in the fiery title role, alongside Russell Thomas as the jealous and despairing Don José. Following his 2023 Royal Opera debut, Sesto Quatrini returns to conduct Bizet’s electrifying and sensual score.

The staggering conclusion to Antonin Baudry's sweeping two-part historical biographical drama (following De Gaulle: Résistance) follows in the fight for liberation from Nazi occupation.  

Three leaders of the French Resistance fight parallel battles during World War Two to liberate a Free France - and the whole of Europe - from Nazi occupation. General Charles De Gaulle prepares for the Casablanca Conference, where alongside the struggle against Nazism he must struggle against General Giraud, President Roosevelt and the United States of America's vision for a redrawn map of Europe with a significantly depleted French nation. Jean Moulin must unite the ideologically spread Resistance leaders and fight many battles on the home front. General Leclerc must lead his battalion of African soldiers to glory againts the panzers of the German army, who greatly outnumber the French. These three threads intertwine as France fights on towards freedom.

De Gaulle: Liberté is the second half of the biggest French film project in 2026, based on Julian Jackson's book A Certain Idea of France: The Life of Charles De Gaulle and receiving its premiere out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival. The film stars Simon Abkarian as the titular general, with Félix Kysyl and Niels Schneider as Moulin and Leclerc respectively.

At the height of the Cold War, a secret CIA base was built on the Suffolk Coast at Orford Ness. Over $1 Billion was spent trying to spy on the Soviets. Today Cobra Mist is off limits and not open to the public. In this special film Ralph Cochrane goes behind the scenes to find out what really happened and how a small dedicated team are helping to keep this fascinating piece of history alive for future generations. Featuring rare footage of Orford Ness lighthouse which was pulled down in 2020 due to coastal erosion and the new seal colony that's formed on Orford Ness this film is beautifully shot by the event.video team.

There will also be a Q&A with Ralph and Mike Finney, the star of the film, who also happens to be a former Royal Navy commander so grab your tickets now!

10% discount off tickets for Bawdsey, Orford, Woodbridge Museum members - simply select WFS Adult or WFS Senior when booking tickets.

A % of ticket sales will go towards Orford Museum.