Onwards and Sideways is going across the pond to world premiere at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in a TIFF Gala Presentation, it was unveiled Monday morning. And The Hollywood Reporter can now exclusively unveil new images from the film from John Gore Studios and Hilltop Screen, starring Emmy and Golden Globe winner Laura Linney (Ozark, Love Actually, John Adams) and BAFTA winner Rhys Ifans (Inheritance, Venom: The Last Dance, House of the Dragon) as two people with lots in common – a great sense of humor, a love of dance, and, as just diagnosed, Parkinson’s.
‘Onwards and Sideways’
Courtesy of BBC/Hilltop Screen
The “emotional and surprisingly funny” film by John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, Operation Mincemeat, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), based on a script by Paul Mayhew-Archer (The Vicar of Dibley, Roald Dahl’s Esio Trot and co-host of Parkinson’s podcast Movers and Shakers), will follow up its TIFF premiere with a release in cinemas across the U.K. and U.S. ahead of its release on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Produced by Hilltop Screen for John Gore Studios and the BBC, Kaleidoscope Film Distribution is representing worldwide sales. CAA Media Finance co-repping in North America. Icon Film Distribution will release the film theatrically in the U.K.
‘Onwards and Sideways’
Courtesy of BBC/Hilltop Screen
Ifans plays Tony Evans, the deputy head of a primary school. Linney is Emma Dretzin, a musician and composer, and single mother of two daughters. Joining them are Monica Dolan (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Sherwood, Black Mirror) as Liz Evans, Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat, The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, Bank of Dave) as Professor Ridge and Mayhew-Archer, among others.
‘Onwards and Sideways’
Courtesy of BBC/Hilltop Screen
The film focuses on two people who don’t know each other “until a startling encounter changes the course of their lives,” according to a synopsis. “On the same morning, these two are confronted with a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. This film is the story of Tony and Emma – a friendship which unfolds unexpectedly. A story of humor and emotion, of challenge and courage, of music and dance – transcending the assumptions of a little-understood condition, and triumphing over the odds to find joy, release and love.”
‘Onwards and Sideways’
Courtesy of BBC/Hilltop Screen
Check out new and exclusive stills from Onwards and Sideways throughout this post.
‘Onwards and Sideways’ previously unveiled image
Courtesy of BBC/Hilltop Screen
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