UK

Jim Broadbent, Juliet Stevenson and Colin Firth star in this heartfelt adaptation of Blake Morrison's memoir of his uneasy relationship with his country doctor father. "Likely to strike a chord in almost anybody." — Evening Standard

Animated short films from around the world to spark the imaginations of our youngest audience. This year's selection is best suited to children aged 5-7.

Cut-outs, paint-on-glass, puppetry, watercolour on tile, scratch films and hand-drawn work all feature in this year's selection of the best animated shorts from around the world.

Andrew Garfield is mesmerising as a young man starting life anew after growing up in detention. " A poignant realist drama that will leave a big emotional impression." — Time Out

A self-confessed loser in love tracks down his numerous exes for interviews in this comedic documentary of humiliation and haplessness.

A moving celebration of the life of pioneering gay filmmaker Derek Jarman (Jubilee, Caravaggio, Blue), featuring copious film extracts and the reflections of former muse Tilda Swinton.

A stunning collection of recent international short digital animations from the dark edge of the creative spectrum.

The spectacular giant screen spin-off from the BBC's Planet Earth series. "Simply matchless... there isn't a moment that doesn't fill one with awe." — Time Out

The writer/star of Kolya wrote and stars in this expertly gag-laden comedy about the hyperactive retirement of a charming old rogue. "Exceptionally funny and touching." — The Globe and Mail

Inspiring and dramatic doco about Henry Marsh, celebrated British neurosurgeon who volunteers on the Ukraine. "Unforgettable portrait of a true humanitarian." — Time Out

"The Escapist... not only works as a brilliant, twisting existential expansion of the traditional prison break film; it also works as a crackerjack example." — Cinematical. Starring Damian Lewis, Joseph Fiennes, Brian Cox, Seu Jorge.

Michael Haneke (The Piano Teacher) channels his anger with mainstream media depiction of violence into a horrific and highly entertaining piece of cinema. Starring Naomi Watts, Tim Roth.

A visionary architect grapples with corporate and political meddling in a bid to build entirely self-sustained, eco-friendly communities in the New Mexico desert. Infectious and inspiring.

Excellent objective documentary about a British boarding school for children with extreme behavioural problems – and a staff to student ratio of 108 to 40.

British artist Steve McQueen's formidable film about IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands is a searching and provocative deliberation of martyrdom. Winner Camera d'Or for the best debut at Cannes this year.

Bloody and brilliantly funny, playwright Martin McDonagh's directing debut brings a black Irish wit to an odd couple/hitmen-on-the-lam comedy. With Colin Farrell, Brendon Gleeson, Ralph Fiennes.

Veteran masters of social realism Ken Loach and writer Paul Laverty (My Name Is Joe) return with one of their most involving character-centred dramas. "A movie of great honesty and humanistic inquiry." — The Guardian

This thrilling documentary recounts Frenchman Philippe Petit's 1974 attempt to walk a tightrope between the twin towers of the World Trade Centre. " Exhilarating, ecstatic and toe-curlingly vertiginous... Unforgettable." — Peter Calder NZ Herald

This extravagantly mounted, endlessly inventive stop-motion puppet animation should appeal to admirers of films like The Nightmare Before Christmas or Wallace & Gromit's Were-Rabbit adventure.

This intense, poetic portrait of three former British soldiers afflicted by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a resounding, deeply moving experience.

From the director and star of This Is England, the comic exploits of two teenage boys adrift in London. Best New British Feature, Edinburgh Film Festival 2008. "I had a perma-grin from beginning to end." — Premiere

A boy no bigger than a thumb can be a hero! Grimms' fairy tales were never more upbeat that this high-spirited 1958 MGM adaptation starring Russ Tamblyn and Peter Sellers.

Two Bens, Ben Rivers from the UK and US-based Ben Russell, converge on the South Pacific to present a programme combining their experimental work making for a vivid varied film experience.

A group of elderly choristers performs a repertoire of hipster favourites in this amazingly satisfying British documentary. "A sobering, poetic ode to joy." — New Yorker