FEATURE FILMS

TENDER LOVING CARE
7:30 PM | SATURDAY 21 NOV | THE POLY
Mike Leigh returns with a funny, compassionate portrait of friendship, family and the people whose jobs revolve around caring for others. Starring Kate O’Flynn, Alice Bailey Johnson, Marion Bailey and Paul Jesson, TENDER LOVING CARE finds warmth, humour and humanity in the complications of ordinary life..
Dir Mike Leigh | UK | 2026 | 1hr 47mins | Comedy / Drama | CFF15
Film gala

I SEE BUILDINGS FALL LIKE LIGHTENING
7:30 PM | MONDAY 16TH NOV | THE POLY
Clio Barnard returns with her fifth feature, bringing her distinctive eye for place, class and complicated human relationships to an ensemble story about five childhood friends approaching 30.
Dir Clio Barnard | 2026 | 1h 49min | English | Drama
.jpeg)
WILD HORSE NINE
5 PM | MONDAY 15TH NOV | THE POLY
Martin McDonagh reunites with Sam Rockwell for a darkly comic thriller starring John Malkovich, Steve Buscemi, Tom Waits and Parker Posey. Expect razor-sharp dialogue, moral complications and a very strange trip to paradise.
Dir Martin McDonagh | UK / USA / Chile | 2026 | 1hr 58mins | Comedy / Drama / Thriller | CFF15
.jpg)
LA BOLA NEGRA
5 PM | TUESDAY 17TH NOV | THE POLY
Spanish-language queer epic explores the intertwined lives of three men. An epic tale showing the connectivity from the Spanish Civil War and stretching through the present day, three lives intimately linked by sexuality and desire, pain, and legacy.
Dir Javier Calvo & Javier Ambrossi | Spain / France | 2025 | 2hrs 35mins | Drama / LGBTQI+ | CFF15
.jpeg)
JOSEPHINE
7:30PM | TUESDAY 17TH NOV | THE POLY
A powerful drama explores childhood, trauma and the limits of parental protection through the eyes of a family whose sense of security has suddenly been shattered. Starring Gemma Chan and Channing Tatum
Dir Beth de Araújo | 2026 | 1h 54min | English | Drama / Thriller | CFF15

AMERICAN DOCTOR
7:30PM | WED 18TH NOV | THE POLY
Oscar nominated director, Poh Si Teng’s first full-feature documentary chronicles the experiences of three American physicians who travel to Gaza to treat casualties wounded in the Israeli- Palestenian conflict. In an attempt to confront Americans about the consequences of their actions – or inactions, Poh Si Teng reaches for a genre with mass popular appeal: the medical drama.
Dir. Poh Si Teng | 2026 | 1hr 33mins | Documentary | USA / Palestine / Malaysia / Qatar / Denmark English & Arabic with English subtitles |CFF15

WE, THE HATED
5PM | THURSDAY 19TH NOV | THE POLY
How far would you go for something you believed in, and what would you be prepared to lose?
Taking audiences inside story of Just Stop Oil, one of the most divisive protest movements in recent British history. As protests become increasingly controversial and the authorities respond, the activists must weigh the personal cost of their actions against what they see as the potentially catastrophic consequences of doing nothing.
Dir Rich Felgate | UK | 2026 | 1hr 29mins | CFF15

ONLY WHAT WE CARRY
7:30PM | FRIDAY 20TH NOV | THE POLY
Jamie Adams’ intimate drama brings together Sofia Boutella, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Simon Pegg, Lizzy McAlpine and Quentin Tarantino in a story of love, creativity, memory and the emotional baggage we carry with us. When dancer Charlotte returns home to Normandy with her sister, a reunion with her former choreographer brings old insecurities and long-buried truths back to the surface.
Dir Jamie Adams | UK / France | 2026 | 1hr 31mins | Comedy / Drama | CFF15
Film premiere LIVE Director Q&A
​

HOPE
9:45 PM | FRIDAY 2OTH NOV | THE POLY |
In a remote South Korean village, reports of a mysterious creature send the local police and residents into the mountains. But the hunters soon become the hunted. From Na Hong-jin, director of THE WAILING, comes an audacious sci-fi action thriller where monster movie, black comedy and spectacular action collide. Starring Hwang Jung-min, Zo In-sung and Hoyeon alongside Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander and Taylor Russell
Dir Na Hong-jin | South Korea | 2026 | 2hrs 37mins | Sci-Fi / Action / Thriller | 15
.jpeg)
SURROUND SOUND: THE STORIES OF MOVIE MUSIC
12:00 | SATURDAY 21ST NOV | THE POLY
Film critic Mark Kermode and radio producer Jenny Nelson will take a lively trip through the music of the movies, sharing favourite scores, unexpected choices, behind-the-scenes stories and a few strong opinions, accompanied by music extracts along the way. Followed by a book signing.
LIVE Intro + Music + Book Signing
Suitable for all ages

ROCKY
12 NOON | SUNDAY 22ND NOV | THE POLY
Rocky is far more than a boxing film. Written by and starring Sylvester Stallone, Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture, this enduring classic follows small-time boxer Rocky Balboa as he is given one improbable shot at the world heavyweight title. Featuring Bill Conti's iconic score and some of cinema's most unforgettable moments, Rocky remains a powerful story of resilience, love and self-belief.
This special screening is followed by Rocky at 50, a discussion exploring the film's enduring legacy and the evolution of the cinematic underdog.
Dir. John G. Avildsen | 1976 | 1h 59min | English | Drama / Sport / Classic | PG

THE DEBUT
2:30 PM | SATURDAY 21ST NOV | THE POLY
CFFestival favourite Jessie Eisenberg returns, hot from the Closing Night Gala 2026 BFI London Film Festival. When shy, unassuming housewife Mona Friedman is unexpectedly cast in a tiny role in a local community theatre production, she discovers a world she never knew she needed. Under the influence of the production’s strong-willed director, Mona throws herself into acting with increasingly ferocious commitment, becoming determined to protect the artistic integrity of her decidedly marginal role. The Debut turns the backstage politics, oversized egos and glorious absurdity of community theatre into a warm and sharply observed comedy about creativity and reinvention. Starring Julianne Moore, Paul Giamatti, Halle Bailey & Jesse Eisenberg himself.
Dir Jesse Eisenberg | USA | 2026 | 1hr 45mins | Comedy / Drama | CFF12A

BUGBOY
2:30PM | SUNDAY 22ND NOV | THE POLY
Shy 16-year-old George finds connecting with people difficult. Following his parents’ painful divorce, he retreats into the tiny, intricate world of insects and forms an unlikely bond with a cricket named Isabella.
​
A CFF Director’s Pick from Sheffield DocFest 2026 "Funny, affectionate and refreshingly small-scale, this is a film about paying attention to other people, yourself and, occasionally, to the creatures crawling around under your feet. " A giant hug of a film" Louise Fox
​
Dir Lucas Paleocrassas | 2026 | 1h 28min | Greek | Documentary | English subtitles | 12A
.jpeg)
THE EDUCATION OF JANE CUMMING
5:15PM | SUNDAY 22ND NOV | THE POLY
One accusation threatens two women’s fight for independence set in Edinburgh in 1810. Two governesses realise their dream of opening a school for girls, offering them a rare chance at an independent life.
Based on true events, Sophie Heldman’s beautifully made period drama explores prejudice, reputation and the cost of surviving in a strict and unforgiving society, and stars Flora Nicholson, Clare Dunne, Mia Tharia and Fiona Shaw.
Dir Sophie Heldman | UK / Germany / Switzerland | 2026 | 1hr 54mins | Drama / LGBTQI+ | CFF15
STORIES FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE WORLD -
Funders, Partners and Sponsors

_edited_edited.jpg)






_edited.jpg)


