Too Much: Melodrama on Film classics announced for this year's Foyle Film FestivalToo Much: Melodrama on Film classics announced for this year's Foyle Film Festival

This year, our festival lineup puts a spotlight on classics from the Golden Age of Hollywood filled with heightened performances that will bring you to tears. We're not exaggerating...

Wuthering Heights

This Oscar® award-winning classic directed by William Wyler and based on Emily Brontë's classic book tells the story of a tortured love affair. It is a passionately moving tale exploring social class and impossible love.

Mildred Pierce

Based on James M. Cain's novel, Joan Crawford brings an oscar-winning performance to the character Mildred Pierce, who would do "anything" for her daughter Veda (played by Ann Blyth). But does "anything" include murder?

Volver

After a murder and a family tragedy, two daughters are comforted by their deceased mother's spirit as she materialises around them. This wickedly funny and heartfelt tale written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar features witty dialogue and family secrets, and involves a career-best performance from Oscar® winner Penélope Cruz.

Sunset Boulevard

Winner of three Academy Awards®, Gloria Swanson stars as aging silent film queen Norma Desmond, and William Holden as the struggling writer who is captivated by her madness, in Billy Wilder's bizarre cinematic masterpiece which explores the dark and desperate side of Hollywood.

Foyle Film Festival presents a special programme, Anatomy of a Melodrama, as part of Too Much: Melodrama on Film.

The season showcases the development of the genre as tales of love and obsession, family and scandal have developed across the years. Spotlighting classics of melodrama from the Golden Age of Hollywood, and establishes how the modern auteur has reimagined tropes and expectations.

Too Much: Melodrama on Film is a UK-wide film season made possible with the support of the BFI Film Audience Network, awarding funds by The National Lottery, and will play in cinemas across the UK and online on BFI Player from October to December 2025.

This year's festival takes place from Wednesday 19 — Sunday 30 November 2025.

Explore more and book.