The BFI (British Film Institute) and luxury cruise line Cunard announce the full programme for the inaugural Film Festival at Sea, a unique seven-day Transatlantic Crossing taking place on board Queen Mary 2 from 8–15 March 2025. Sailing from Southampton to New York, the voyage offers guests an exclusive opportunity to explore the world of cinema through a curated programme of film-themed events, screenings and hands-on workshops, against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean.
Curated in collaboration with the BFI, the Film Festival at Sea will feature exclusive events with industry talent including Mike Valentine, Paul Mayeda Berges and Gurinder Chadha, Miranda Richardson, Joy Moore and John Hay.
Building on Cunard’s rich cinematic legacy—having welcomed Hollywood icons from Charlie Chaplin to Meryl Streep—the Film Festival at Sea Event Voyage offers guests a packed programme of in-depth conversations, masterclasses, screenings and Q&A sessions, offering a rare insight into the creative process from directing and cinematography to screenwriting, acting, and costume design.
Programme highlights include award-winning actress Miranda Richardson reflecting on her celebrated career, as well as renowned cinematographer Mike Valentine (Casino Royale, No Time to Die) leading a talk on underwater cinematography. Gurinder Chadha and Paul Mayeda Berges, the creative duo behind Bend It Like Beckham, will introduce a special screening of one of their most loved films. The programme also features a series of creative and interactive workshops including scriptwriting, acting and smartphone filmmaking, as well as BFI-curated screenings, such as Powell and Pressburger’s I KNOW WHERE I’M GOING!, restored by the BFI National Archive, and a lively film quiz celebrating cinematic history.
Guests will also be treated to a performance of Posting Letters to the Moon by actors Simon Williams and Lucy Fleming, a show based on the wartime letters between the actress Celia Johnson and her husband, Peter Fleming.
Katie McAlister, President at Cunard, said: “We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the British Film Institute and to collaborate on Cunard’s very first Film Festival at Sea Event Voyage. We have a long-standing affiliation with the silver screen and have welcomed some of Hollywood’s biggest names on board over the years. This latest partnership beautifully reflects our enduring affection for film and the arts, offering a glimpse into the unique experience that we provide our guests.”
Film enthusiasts can explore more about the Film Festival at Sea and book their voyage here.
