The London Australian Film Festival — the UK’s premier showcase of Australian cinema on the big screen — returns this summer for four days of new features, shorts, documentaries, live Q&As, special guests, raffle prizes and Australian snacks.
Taking place at Finsbury Park Picturehouse from 16–19 July, LAFF26 will present nine feature films across one venue, celebrating the breadth, energy and imagination of contemporary Australian filmmaking.
The full line-up will be announced soon, but the festival has revealed its opening and closing gala screenings:
Opening Gala: The Travellers
Thursday 16 July, 7pm
UK theatrical premiere
With Bruce Beresford in attendance
The eighth London Australian Film Festival opens with the UK theatrical premiere of The Travellers, the latest feature from legendary Australian writer-director Bruce Beresford, whose credits include Driving Miss Daisy, Mao’s Last Dancer and Ladies in Black.
Starring Bryan Brown, Luke Bracey and Susie Porter, the film follows Stephen Seary, a successful stage designer who returns from London to his small Australian hometown to farewell his dying mother. What begins as a brief visit soon unravels into family chaos, old friendships, past lovers and unresolved tensions — all while Stephen tries to make it back to Europe for a major opera contract.
Beresford will join audiences in person for this special opening night screening, which will include a short film and Q&A.
Closing Gala: Alphabet Lane
Sunday 19 July, 7.30pm
UK premiere
With key cast and crew in attendance
The festival closes with the UK premiere of Alphabet Lane, the debut feature from writer-director James Litchfield and winner of this year’s LAFF Cris Jones Debut Director Prize, which recognises outstanding first features by Australian filmmakers.
A darkly funny rural drama-comedy-thriller, Alphabet Lane stars Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Nicholas Denton and Henry Nixon. The film follows Anna and Jack, a young couple who move to the country and invent imaginary neighbours to cope with their growing isolation. But when letters begin arriving from their fictional friends, the joke starts to take over their relationship.
The closing gala screening will also include a short film and Q&A with key cast and crew.
More to come
This year’s festival will feature something for every kind of film lover, from future cult classics and family films to comedies, documentaries, dramas and a curated selection of shorts.
The programme will also include a special anniversary screening featuring the UK premiere of a brand new 4K restoration of one of Australia’s most important films.
As always, LAFF audiences can expect the festival’s much-loved raffles before every screening, plus Australian snacks and lolly bags available in the foyer.
The full LAFF26 line-up will be announced soon.