BFF26: Onwards & Sideways

Australian premiere

A story of courage and the power of human connection, this comedic drama from director John Madden (Shakespeare in Love) is a compelling tale about finding hope, joy and freedom in life's difficult moments.

Tony (Rhys Ifans, House of the Dragon) is widowed, and the deputy head of a primary school and Emma (Laura Linney, Ozark) is an American musician and composer. They are complete strangers, until one day an unexpected encounter changes the course of their lives. On the same morning, they both receive a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease from neurologist Professor Ridge (Rory Kinnear, Bank of Dave). Finding themselves in the same situation, in the same place, they bond over their shared diagnoses and soon find a friendship that could blossom into something more.

Written by Paul Mayhew-Archer (The Vicar of Dibley) who has lived with Parkinson’s since 2011, Onwards and Sideways challenges assumptions about the disease in a moving story of humour, courage, music, and dance.

OFFICIAL SELECTION | Toronto International Film Festival 2026