Returning for its fifth edition, the Cunard British Film Festival is back with another stellar line-up of new British films and restored classics. This year there are 17 films in the official selection with several Australian premieres and Oscar contenders on the list. The festival began with the premiere of Breathe, an inspiring true story starring Andrew Garfield (Hacksaw Ridge) and Claire Foy (The Crown), capped off with a pre-film reception that included Pimm's cocktails, wine, popcorn, British fare - not exactly something that tickles your taste buds in the most exquisite way - and live music from an excellent swing band..Stars Don't Die in Liverpool, another highlight of the festival is set in the late 1980s, the film follows aging Hollywood actress Gloria Grahame (Annette Bening) and aspiring young actor Peter Turner (Jamie Bell), as love breaks out between them in the final years of his life. Directed by Paul McGuigan and adapted from Turner's 1984 memoir, this real-life drama is a romantic account of an extraordinary relationship. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Before the film, guests were invited to join the festival organizers for a short reception where they will be treated to almond, cranberry and Inca berry chocolates from Loving Eath's new range, accompanied by cocktails of white peach and ginger wine by Sofi Spritz. Nicole Kidman takes center stage in How to Talk to Girls at Parties – the new film by John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus). Set in 1977 in Croydon, London, it is a sci-fi rock'n'roll love story based on a story by Neil Gaiman; Kidman plays a rage-filled punk named Queen Bodicea. From director Armando Iannucci – the Oscar-nominated Scottish creator of Veep – comes The Death of Stalin, which features the Soviet tyrant and his band of scheming bootlickers. The cast includes Steve Buscemi (Fargo), Jeffrey Tambor (Transparent) and Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter). The documentary Manolo: The Boy Who Made Shoes for Lizards offers an in-depth portrait of shoe designer Manolo Blahnik, a shy subject brought to light by British fashion journalist Michael Roberts. Adapted from Deborah Moggach's novel, Tulip Fever boasts a cast of Oscar winners including Alicia Vikander, Christoph Waltz and Dame Judi Dench. The drama, set in the 17th century, is a story of lust, greed, beauty and deceit about a young artist who falls in love with a married woman while painting her portrait. Returning to the screen after the success of Brooklyn, Saoirse Ronan stars in On Chesil Beach, the story of a young couple on their honeymoon in the 1950s, based on the book by Ian McEwan. Alan Judd's novel about the final days of German Emperor Wilhelm II's exile during World War II, The Exception, has also been adapted for the screen. Starring Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music, Beginners), Janet McTeer (Albert Nobbs) and Lily James (Baby Driver, Downton Abbey), the drama explores a German soldier's mission to infiltrate the Kaiser's life. Goodbye Christopher Robin takes a look at the relationship between Winnie-the-Pooh author AA Milne (played by Domhnall Gleeson) and his son, the real Christopher Robin. Celebrating the life and work of Eric Clapton, A Life in Twelve Bars is a documentary featuring interviews, clips, photos and stories, including archival interviews with Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison and BB King. From Spanish director Isabel Coixet (Paris, Je T'aime) comes The Bookshop, based on the novel by Penelope Fitzgerald. In 1959 a widow, Florence (Emily Mortimer), puts aside her grief for:.