‘Sense and Sensibility’ Officially Gets Early U.S. Screening at FocusFest [Exclusive]

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Published Oct 1, 2026, 1:01 PM EDT

Ryan O'Rourke is a Senior News Writer at Collider with a specific interest in all things adult animation, video game adaptations, and the work of Mike Flanagan. He is also an experienced baseball writer with over six years of articles between multiple outlets, most notably FanSided's CubbiesCrib. Whether it's taking in a baseball game, a new season of Futurama or Castlevania: Nocturne, or playing the latest From Software title, he is always finding ways to show his fandom. When it comes to gaming and anything that takes inspiration from it, he is deeply opinionated on what's going on. Outside of entertainment, he's a graduate of Eureka College with a Bachelor's in Communication where he honed his craft as a writer. Between The IV Leader at Illinois Valley Community College and The Pegasus at Eureka, he spent the majority of his college career publishing articles on everything from politics to campus happenings and, of course, entertainment for the student body. Those principles he learned covering the 2020 election, Palestine, and so much more are brought here to Collider, where he has gleefully written on everything from the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes to Nathan Lane baby-birding sewer boys.

Last year, as Focus Features closed out 2025 strong with Bugonia, Hamnet, Song Sung Blue, and more, the Universal Pictures banner commemorated the occasion with its first-ever FocusFest. The event served to reflect on the history of excellent independent cinema under the producer and distributor, with screenings of classics and an eye towards the future. Now, it's coming back bigger than ever. Next Saturday, October 10, will see the annual celebration return to the historic Universal Studios lot for its second iteration, complete with even more films, immersive experiences designed around iconic worlds within the Focus catalog, and not one, but two advance screenings of upcoming movies.

After getting the opportunity to announce the festival's launch last year, Collider is excited to once again partner with Focus Features to share the official schedule for next weekend's screenings. First order of business is a big one starting at 12 p.m. — an advance showing of Blue Jean director Georgia Oakley's new adaptation of Jane Austen's debut novel, Sense and Sensibility. Not only will attendees at the Spielberg Theater be able to see the hotly anticipated period romance before anyone else in the U.S., but the Dashwood sisters themselves, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles, will be in attendance for a Q&A afterward from 2:15 to 2:45 p.m. This won't be the only chance to catch it early, though, as Theater 2 will host a later 8 p.m. showing as well.

The other big highlight is the presence of the Telluride darling Elsinore, the biographical drama starring Andrew Scott as late Chariots of Fire star Ian Charleson in the midst of the final stage performances of his life as Hamlet. It's not slated to hit theaters in the U.S. until November 20, but both the Spielberg Theater and Theater 1 will hold screenings at 8 p.m., giving a chance to see it over a month ahead. As for past releases, Spielberg will play host to horror with this year's breakout hit Obsession from Curry Barker and Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, while Theater 1 will deliver the Austin adaptations with the 2005 Keira Knightley-led Pride & Prejudice and the 2020 Anya Taylor-Joy-led EMMA., and Theater 2 will host Oscar contenders in Todd Field's 2022 drama Tár and Alexander Payne's 2023 holiday hit The Holdovers.

FocusFest Features Three Film-Inspired Activations to Attend

While the movies will be the, for lack of a better word, focus of FocusFest, the activations this year have gone all out to make the event special. For starters, attendees can swing by Barker's Pub, straight from the Obsession-verse, with exclusive custom coasters available. Those fortunate enough may find a sticker on said coaster that is redeemable for their own One Wish Willow, wish-granting powers not guaranteed. There will also be a Meta-sponsored embroidery station to create custom tote bags with quotes and designs themed after Sense and Sensibility. Last but not least is a chance to make custom vintage bag charms using ribbons and more in a little station inspired by the Pride & Prejudice ribbon shop.

Doors open to FocusFest at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10, at the Universal Studios lot. Visit the official event page on the Focus Features website to purchase tickets now to the one-day-only celebration. Check out the full schedule of screenings above.