FILM AND FOOD AT THE FESTIVAL

(The Cowshed will be screening The Housemaid on 22 October 2026)

A number of this year’s screenings come with a meal or a drink built into the evening, from village hall suppers to a full two-course dinner.

Pyre screens at The 29029 Restaurant in Sandford on Sunday 18 October, with an award-winning two-course Asian buffet served from 7pm ahead of the 8.30pm film.

Song Sung Blue offers fish and chips at Lytchett Matravers Village Hall on Saturday 17 October, served from 6.15pm before the 7.30pm screening.

Stand By Me screens at Holme for Gardens’ Orchard Café on Wednesday 21 October, with a meal from 6.30pm ahead of the 7.30pm film; tickets and food are booked directly with the venue.

The Housemaid comes with a delicious two-course meal at The Cowshed in Lytchett Minster on Thursday 22 October, served from 7pm before the 8.30pm screening.

I Swear screens at Coombe Keynes Church on Friday 23 October, with a sausage hotpot supper on offer from 6.15pm ahead of the 7.30pm film. The Christophers screens at East Burton Village Hall on Tuesday 27 October, with a baked potato supper from 7pm before the 8pm film.

Rental Family screens at Sandford Heritage Hall on Monday 26 October, preceded by a free cheese and wine reception from 6.15pm.

On Halloween night, The Wicker Man screens at Langham Wine Estate on Saturday 31 October, with the ticket price including supper from 7pm ahead of the 8.30pm film.

Beyond the festival’s usual cinemas and village halls, three venues host a run of screenings paired with drinks receptions and canapés this year.

Creech Grange Country House, the Grade I listed manor near Wareham, hosts two Merchant Ivory classics on Wednesday 28 October. The Remains of the Day, with Anthony Hopkins as the repressed butler Stevens, screens at 3pm following a 2pm reception, and Howards End, starring Hopkins, Emma Thompson and Vanessa Redgrave, screens at 7.30pm following a 6.30pm reception. Both tickets include the film, prosecco and canapés; places are limited and advance booking is essential.

Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in Bournemouth partners with the festival on Tuesday 20 October for an evening of wine, canapés and film. Director David Bickerstaff introduces an exclusive first look at the museum’s new exhibition, Edo Women: Japanese Prints 1820 to 1900, ahead of a screening of his documentary Exhibition on Screen: Tokyo Stories, with a Q&A to follow.

Swanage Waterworks hosts a season of French cinema across Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, each screening preceded by a drinks reception. The Well Digger’s Daughter and Portrait of a Lady on Fire screen on the Saturday, and Amélie and The Stranger on the Sunday, each ticket including a glass of wine.