Onwards and Sideways is a new film by acclaimed writer Paul Mayhew-Archer, who lives with Parkinson’s. It stars Rhys Ifans, Laura Linney, Rory Kinnear and Monica Dolan.
The film is about a school teacher and a composer who meet at a hospital after both are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. As they begin their journey of managing the condition, an unexpected friendship unfolds.
It is released on Friday 6 November and received a standing ovation at the recent Toronto Film Festival.
Many people from our own Parkinson’s UK community contributed to the film. You can even see campaign volunteer Tincy Jose in the preview as well as Physical Activity Champion Ali Turnbull.
The producers tell us: “We’re very excited for the world to understand Parkinson’s better and experience this wonderful story. It’s not guaranteed that every cinema in the UK will show it, but you can ask your local independent cinema to. Cinema chains, like Odeon, Vue and Cineworld, decide things a little differently. We’ll be writing to the head of their programming teams to ask them to schedule screenings, as will the distributor of the film”.
What you can do
“Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you contact your local independent cinema. Local groups, and particularly those in the North East and Yorkshire have already been in touch with some of their local cinemas urging them to screen the film, by popping into the cinema and following up with phone calls and emails. You can do it too!
Go in and ask
You can simply pop into your local independent cinema and ask if they will be planning to show the film.
Make sure you:
- Introduce yourself and ask if the staff member knows or can introduce you to the manager or the cinema programming manager.
- Tell them about the film, the release date and how much people in the local community would like to see the film.
- Go in prepared with your details, the film’s details and release date written down. So that you can leave it with staff if there isn’t a manager around. Please ensure you add your name, phone number or email address so they can come back to you.
- Follow up after visiting your local cinema, with an email or a phone call. Cinemas typically have their contact details available on their website.
- Repeat! Encourage others to go in and ask, or email the cinema too. Repetition can be helpful and will show strength of feeling.
- Contact your Local Campaigns Officer with any questions. They can help support you writing to your local cinema and following it up.
Example message to your cinema
Dear Programming manager,
I’m writing to ask if you could add a film to your screening schedule please? ‘Onwards and Sideways’ written by Vicar of Dibley creator Paul Mayhew-Archer, directed by John Madden, starring Rhys Ifans and Laura Linney.
The film has an official running time of 115 minutes and is scheduled for release in the UK on Friday 6 November 2026. It is distributed by Icon Productions, making it readily accessible for independent booking.
It’s an independent film and I think people in our local community would love it. It tells the story of a school teacher and a composer who meet at a hospital after both are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. As they begin their journey of managing the condition, an unexpected friendship unfolds. [add your personal connection to the film, maybe something like this]
I live with Parkinson’s/I support someone with Parkinson’s/I volunteer with Parkinson’s UK and I know what the representation in this film means to the community, as their condition is often misunderstood.
I think people with Parkinson’s and their loved ones in [add your area] would want to see this film. And as a condition that’s prevalence is increasing, I think it would help the general public understand some of the symptoms people with Parkinson’s and their families and friends live with.
Will you be screening this film, and if you aren’t would you consider it? Please acknowledge receipt of this email and let me know when you can, I will be following up with you.
Many thanks,
[add your name and contact details]
Accessibility
We recognise that not all cinemas are accessible. You could ask that the cinema specifically put on an accessible screening.
Here is an example that you could drop into your email: Many people with Parkinson’s and other disabilities would appreciate seeing this film, so please consider showing it on an accessible screen.
If your local cinema is not accessible, we can help you push for change on that, please contact one of our local campaigns officers (details below).
Feedback
We want to know which cinemas have been approached and what they said, so please complete this feedback form. If you give us permission we’ll get in touch to check in if the cinema has responded to you”.