<img src='' title='Event Category: Film' alt='' id='templ_icon_' width='' height='' /> Event Category: Film

Alexandre de La Patellière, Matthew Delaporte / France 2024 / 178 min /Cert 12A / Subtitles

In this latest adaptation of the epic tale, Pierre Niney (Yves St Laurent, 2014) plays the role of Edmond Dantes who becomes the target of a sinister plot. He is arrested on his wedding day for a crime he did not commit.

After 14 years in the island prison of Château d’If, he manages a daring escape.

Now rich beyond his dreams, he assumes the identity of the Count of Monte-Cristo and exacts his revenge on the three men who betrayed him.

This visually stunning and fast-moving period drama, with its energetic script and action sequences keeps the audience engaged throughout.

Emmanuel Corcel / France 2025 / 103 min / Cert 15 / Subtitles

This French comedy-drama, ‘En Fanfare’ looks at nature versus nurture in a thoroughly engaging, even feel-good way. A renowned young classical conductor receives a shock cancer diagnosis and needs a bone marrow transplant.

Learning that he is adopted, Thibault finds the brother he wasn’t aware of: Jimmy, who works in the canteen of a struggling northern factory — and plays trombone in the work’s marching band.

Despite the initial class/ culture difficulties, and responses to their very different upbringings, they come to share a common purpose (musical, as well as medical!).

Sometimes moving, sometimes painful, sometimes laugh-out-loud, this was the top-rated film at the recent ICO Screenings.

Peter Cattaneo / UK, Spain 2024 / 111 min / Cert 12A / Some subtitles

Steve Coogan stars in this enjoyable comedy-drama, based on a true story.

In the 1970s, disillusioned with life, Tom Mitchell accepts a teaching post in an exclusive boys’ school in authoritarian Argentina. After rescuing a penguin from an oil spill, he ends up smuggling it into the school, little realising the effect his unusual friendship will have on the unruly students and all who meet the endearing creature.

Ultimately it also helps Tom get out of his comfort zone and face up to the harsh realities of a military regime. “The Penguin Lessons is a work of surprising depth and subtle, irresistible impact.” Rex Reed, Observer.

Mohammad Rasoulof / Iran 2024 / 167 min / Cert 15

A powerful and moving tale of morality, paranoia and resistance set against the backdrop of contemporary protests in Iran which combines deeply felt performances with real footage of the protests.

Filmed secretly in Iran; the director and actors were forced to flee the country after the film’s release. Iman has just been promoted to state investigator in the revolutionary court.

His wife is delighted with the rise in status, while their two teenage daughters are more interested in the growing protests. However, he soon finds that he is expected to rubber-stamp death penalties without even reading the evidence, and struggles to reconcile his own morality.

When his gun goes missing, he suspects his wife and daughters, and the domestic drama gradually builds in intensity and paranoia to a violent and suspenseful climax.

Marianne Elliott / UK 2024 / 115 min / Cert 12A

The glorious scenery of the South West Coast Path forms the backdrop to this profound true story of a 630-mile trek along the Cornish, Devon and Dorset coastline.

After being forcibly removed from their home, husband and wife, Raynor and Moth Winn make the desperate decision to walk in the hope that, in nature, they will find solace.

With only a tent and very few resources, every step along the path is a testament to their growing strength and determination. A portrayal of home, how it can be lost and rediscovered in the most unexpected ways.

CLASSIC FILM AFTERNOONS: A hot drink, a cake and a great film – all for just £6.00 (£10.00 for two).

In occupied Germany in 1949, American military officer Jefferson Pike (James Garner) wakes up in a U.S. Army hospital with no memory of the previous five years.

A kindly military psychiatrist (Rod Taylor) and his coolly detached nurse (Eva Marie Saint) draw out Pike’s last clear memories, which are of General Eisenhower’s final briefing for the Normandy invasion in June 1944.

Soon, Pike realizes that his doctor and nurse are not who they claim to be, and that he is in great danger.

It’s (the day before) Valentine’s Day, so we’ve got a special romantic comedy Classic Film treat for you!

Over the course of five social occasions, a committed bachelor must consider the notion that he may have discovered love.

There are unforgettable wedding speeches, funeral tears, mad dancing and romantic entanglements galore in Richard Curtis’ much-loved modern classic starring Hugh Grant, Andie McDowell and many more household names.

Tickets just £6.00 with a cake and a hot drink or £10.00 for two.

Step into a world of diverse storytelling at the Stafford Film Festival! Held at the historic Gatehouse Theatre on January 31, 2025, from 6:45 PM to 10:00 PM, this festival is an exceptional gathering for film enthusiasts and creatives alike, with an emphasis on global diversity and cultural appreciation.

What Visitors Can Expect

Explore powerful stories from across the globe with a unique mix of films, engaging Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities. Connect directly with filmmakers in relaxed, informal settings before and after screenings, fostering a welcoming community where filmmakers and audiences share their passion for film.

The festival is designed to bring filmmakers and viewers together in an event of global stories and diverse perspectives.

Program Highlights and Award Categories

The Stafford Film Festival presents a diverse range of genres, from captivating films and documentaries to innovative animations, experimental projects, and AI-driven works. Achievements are recognized in categories such as Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Animation, and Best First-Time Filmmaker, along with awards for music, including Best Original Song and Best Music/Performance Video, celebrating creativity and artistry beyond only film.

Join us for this immersive celebration of storytelling, culture, and creativity—right in the heart of Stafford at the Gatehouse Theatre. Discover new perspectives, connect with a vibrant creative community, and celebrate exceptional films with us!

James Mangold / USA 2025 / 141 min / Cert 15

In 1965 at Newport Festival a 19-year-old from Minnesota shakes up the world of folk music by going electric and becoming the voice of his generation.

A sure contender for an Academy Award, Timothee Chalamet stars as Bob Dylan in James Marigold’s A Complete Unknown, supported by Edward Norton and Elle Fanning.

The biopic comes with a seal of approval from the great man himself, who also granted music rights to Mangold for the movie.

“Chalamet delivers the performance of the year…. the film is a true tour de force” Scott Menzel, Variety Magazine

Payal Kapadia / India 2024 / 118 min / Cert 15 / Subtitles

Three women navigate life in the urban sprawl of modern-day Mumbai.

Stoic and dutiful Prabha is estranged from her husband, who moved to Germany shortly after their arranged marriage. Anu, her impulsive flatmate, is pursuing a secret relationship with a young Muslim man.

Meanwhile, the home of their older, widowed colleague Parvaty is under threat of demolition.

First ever Indian winner of the 2024 Grand Prix at Cannes, this is a portrait of Mumbai crafted with exquisite delicacy. “The best reviewed film of the year” The Criterion Collection