Virginia Woolf's Night and Day: Exclusive Advance Screening at Duke of York's Brighton This Thursday
A Charleston advance screening with Q&A. Duke of York's Picturehouse Brighton, Thursday 11 June at 7.30pm. Photography (Instagram): @annabelmoellerphotography
Virginia Woolf's Night and Day gets an exclusive advance screening at the Duke of York's Picturehouse in Brighton on Thursday 11 June at 7.30pm, hosted in partnership with the Charleston Trust and with a Q&A with screenwriter and producer Justine Waddell to follow
One of the most talked-about British films of 2026 comes to Brighton this Thursday, more than a week before it goes on general release in UK cinemas. Virginia Woolf's Night and Day screens at the Duke of York's Picturehouse, Preston Circus, Brighton on Thursday 11 June at 7.30pm, in an exclusive advance screening presented in partnership with the Charleston Trust. Following the film, screenwriter and producer Justine Waddell will join the audience for a Q&A.
The film does not open in UK cinemas nationwide until 19 June, making this one of a handful of special preview screenings taking place ahead of that release. Tickets are available now at the Duke of York's Picturehouse website or via Picturehouse Cinemas.
The partnership with the Charleston Trust gives the Brighton screening a particularly fitting local dimension. Charleston Farmhouse near Lewes was the country home of the Bloomsbury Group, the circle of writers, artists and intellectuals of which Virginia Woolf was a central figure. The farmhouse, now preserved and open to the public, sits at the heart of the landscape that shaped Woolf's writing and life.
What is the film about?
Virginia Woolf's Night and Day is a 2026 romantic drama directed by BAFTA-nominated director Tina Gharavi from a screenplay by Justine Waddell. It is an adaptation of Virginia Woolf's 1919 novel Night and Day, Woolf's second novel and the one she herself described as her funniest. The film has a running time of 130 minutes and carries a 12A certificate.
Set in London in 1910, against the backdrop of the suffragette movement and the crumbling Edwardian patriarchy, the film follows Katharine Hilbery, played by Haley Bennett, a brilliant and headstrong young woman who is passionate about two things above all: the stars and getting into Cambridge. She does everything she can to avoid romantic love and the marriage her family has planned for her.
When her controlling father Mr Hilbery, played by Timothy Spall, forces her into an engagement with family friend William, played by Jack Whitehall, Katharine's carefully guarded independence is threatened. Her world begins to expand when she befriends spirited suffragette Mary Datchet, played by Lily Allen, and crosses paths with working-class editor Ralph Denham, played by Elyas M'Barek, who is helping her mother Mrs Hilbery, played by Jennifer Saunders, write a family biography. As romantic loyalties shift, Katharine is pushed to question everything she has been taught about love, ambition and how to claim her space in the world.
Director Tina Gharavi has described the project as Virginia Woolf writing a rom-com brought to the screen. The film premiered at SXSW London on 1 June 2026 as the opening film of the festival.
The cast
Haley Bennett leads as Katharine Hilbery. Timothy Spall plays her controlling father. Jennifer Saunders plays her mother, a budding author whose work is being suppressed by her domineering husband. Lily Allen plays the spirited suffragette Mary Datchet. Jack Whitehall plays William, the unwanted suitor. Elyas M'Barek plays editor Ralph Denham. Sally Phillips plays Cousin Joan. Misia Butler, Frances Barber, Simon Phillips and Alex Macqueen complete the ensemble.
The screenplay is by Justine Waddell, adapted from the Virginia Woolf novel. Cinematography is by Sebastian Edschmid. The score is by Simon Goff. The film was edited by Hansjörg Weißbrich and Ben Wilson. It is produced by Asterisk Films, Stellican, Piccadilly Pictures and partner companies. Quiver Distribution has acquired US rights for a late 2026 release.
An exclusive advance screening of Virginia Woolf's Night and Day takes place at Duke of York's Picturehouse Brighton on Thursday 11 June at 7.30pm in partnership with the Charleston Trust. The film stars Haley Bennett, Timothy Spall, Jennifer Saunders, Lily Allen and Jack Whitehall. Directed by Tina Gharavi. Screenplay by Justine Waddell. In UK cinemas from 19 June 2026.
What the critics are saying
The film has been warmly received since its SXSW London premiere. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw reviewed it on 2 June 2026. You can read his full review at theguardian.com/film/2026/jun/02/virginia-woolfs-night-and-day-review-tina-gharavi-timothy-spall-jennifer-saunders.
Other critics have praised Justine Waddell's sharp and witty screenplay and called the film a triumph, with Haley Bennett drawing particular praise for her central performance. One critic described the film as a solid period dramedy that audiences will resonate with for its themes of personal freedom and resisting societal expectations. Screen Daily called it a spirited adaptation lifted by Bennett's performance.
The Q&A with Justine Waddell
Following the screening, screenwriter and producer Justine Waddell will join the audience for a Q&A. Waddell wrote the screenplay, adapting Virginia Woolf's novel for the screen, and produced the film through her company Asterisk Films. The Brighton screening is one of a small number of special preview events she is attending personally ahead of the film's general release.
Virginia Woolf's Night and Day is in UK cinemas from 19 June 2026. Photo: @annabelmoellerphotography via Instagram
About the Charleston Trust
The Charleston Trust is the charity that preserves and manages Charleston Farmhouse near Firle in East Sussex, the home of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant and the country retreat of the Bloomsbury Group. Virginia Woolf visited Charleston regularly throughout her life. The farmhouse, with its decorated interiors, gardens and gallery, is open to the public and is one of the most important cultural destinations in the south of England. More information at charleston.org.uk.
Booking and practical information
Virginia Woolf's Night and Day screens at the Duke of York's Picturehouse, Preston Circus, Brighton, BN1 4NA on Thursday 11 June 2026 at 7.30pm. The screening is presented in partnership with the Charleston Trust. Book tickets now at picturehouses.com. The film goes on general UK release on 19 June 2026.
For more Brighton events, read our Brighton Events Guide 2026. For more Brighton and Hove news, follow ImJustBrighton.
This is a paid partnership with Asterisk Films. ImJustBrighton only works with Brighton events and businesses we genuinely believe offer something worth knowing about. Ticket and screening details are correct at the time of publication. Last updated June 2026.