Billy Elliot follows an 11-year-old boy in a 1980s County Durham mining town who discovers a passion for ballet, challenging his family’s and society’s expectations during the miners’ strike. The film’s blend of personal ambition, family struggle, and social backdrop creates an inspiring and emotional journey about self-discovery and breaking stereotypes. Acclaimed for Jamie Bell’s breakthrough performance and Julie Walters’ standout role, it was a critical and commercial success, earning multiple major award nominations and wins, and later inspiring a hit stage musical.

Directed by Stephen Daldry. Film and theatre director Stephen grew up in Taunton from the age of 12, attended local school Richard Huish College (then Huish's Grammar School), and launched his early artistic career performing and directing with local groups like the Taunton Thespians and at The Brewhouse theatre.
He went on to direct Billy Elliot (2000) a critically acclaimed British film about an 11-year-old working-class boy in Northern England who defies expectations and economic hardship during the 1984–1985 miners' strike to pursue his dream of becoming a ballet dancer

Refreshments are available before the film starts

The Taunton Film Festival is supported by Taunton Town Council