Waterford Film For All presents The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025)

Waterford Film For All presents The Ballad of Wallis Island

The new autumn season of movies from Waterford Film For All kicks off with The Ballad of Wallis Island from director James Griffiths

Musician Herb McGwyer made his name in a popular folk duo with former creative and romantic partner Nell Mortimer. Now a struggling solo artist, Herb accepts a lucrative offer from eccentric lottery winner Charles Heath to perform a private gig on a remote island.

The appearance fee will fund Herb’s new album. But it turns out Charles – who has very personal reasons for organising the gig – has also invited Nell to play, forcing Herb into an unexpected McGwyer Mortimer reunion.

Co-writers and co-stars Tom Basden and Tim Key, alongside director James Griffiths, have delivered a winning crowd-pleaser with The Ballad of Wallis Island. With a perfect mix of humour and poignant character work, this film is a total charmer.

Festivals
Sundance Film Festival, 2025

Reviews
“It’s a love story and a bromance elevated by the actors’ superb comic timing and a sense of wonder.” ★★★★ – Anthony Cecil, The Arts Desk

“The Ballad of Wallis Island is the best kind of crowd-pleaser: disarming, joyful and full of compassion for its oddball characters.” – Tomris Laffly, Variety

“Warm, perceptive and quietly life-affirming… a big-hearted, consoling hug of a movie.” ★★★★ – Ian Freer, Empire Magazine