Melbourne's reputation as Australia's arts and cultural capital is well-deserved, thanks to its festivals, exhibitions, family-friendly shows, and culinary experiences. Here is a guide to Melbourne's must-see arts and cultural events for 2025 and 2026.
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Multicultural Film Festival
German Film Festival
Best film festivals in Melbourne and regional Victoria in 2025 and 2026
Whether you prefer British films, Spanish cinema, or animated antics, there's a film festival in Melbourne and regional Victoria for you in 2025 and 2026.
Along with musicals and cultural events, Melbourne has a vibrant and diverse film festival scene, with year-round offerings that take cinephiles beyond Hollywood to movies from countries as diverse as India, Iran, Korea and Spain.
The annual highlight is the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), which is one of the oldest film festivals in the world. Held annually in venues around the CBD, MIFF showcases films ranging from international award winners to independent and experimental films. This year it runs from 7-24 August 2025.
Here's a list of the annual offerings in Melbourne and Victoria. To help you get around Melbourne and Victoria faster, smarter, and more affordably, download the Arevo app.
RACV Members can also save on movie tickets year round. Download the RACV App to access discounts and to buy tickets to movies and events.
Melbourne and Victoria film festival calendar for 2025
Children’s International Film Festival
7 June-20 July 2025, Classic, Lido, and Cameo Cinemas
Featuring a fun range of films for children aged three and up, the Children’s International Film Festival offers family friendly movies from around the globe, including short animations and feature-length films.
From cats and penguins to tooth fairies and zombie zoo animals, there's plenty of entertainment for the whole family. In 2025, the Elfkins of Cologne and the pirates from the Norwegian franchise Captain Sabertooth return for more exciting adventures. There's also 40th anniversary screenings of Joe Dante’s Explorers and Tim Burton’s Pee-wee’s Big Adventure.
Melbourne Documentary Festival
1– 31 July 2025, Cinema Nova
Featuring films both in cinema and online, the Melbourne Documentary Festival is one of the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, showcasing both local and international documentaries from established and emerging filmmakers.
With a mix of up-and-comers and some straight from Sundance or Venice, documentary aficionados can choose from a wealth of genres to learn about on the big screen.
Scandinavian Film Festival
July-August 2025, Palace Cinemas
Looking for some winter viewing? The Scandis put the best of their silver screen forward at the Scandinavian Film Festival, showcasing a myriad of movies from the fjord-lovers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)
7-24 August 2025, various venues around Melbourne
As one of the city’s biggest film festivals of the year, MIFF is a not-for-profit festival showcasing international and Australian filmmaking at a range of cinemas around the city.
Celebrating its 73rd year, the 2025 line-up includes more than 275 screen works. If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, directed by Mary Bronstein, debuts in Australia as MIFF’s Opening Night Gala film on 7 August and competes in the Bright Horizons Competition. Rose Byrne, leading the star cast, was awarded best performance at this year’s Berlinale for her role in this darkly comic and honest portrayal of motherhood.
Australian movies include the freshly restored Aussie action classic, BMX Bandits (1983), starring a 16-year-old Nicole Kidman, and Journey Home, David Gulpilil, a documentary narrated by Hugh Jackman, about the veteran Yolŋu actor's final journey and funeral in his homeland of Gupulul in Arnhem Land.
The festival’s beloved Family Gala is back on Sunday 17 August presenting The Bad Guys 2 by Pierre Perifel and JP Sans, based on the list-topping children’s book series by Aussie actor-turned-author Aaron Blabey.
The MIFF Regional showcase will tour across Bendigo, Ballarat, Castlemaine, Morwell, Geelong, Rosebud, Sale, and Shepparton on 15–17 August and 22–24 August, screening popular titles with support from VicScreen and Screen Australia. MIFF Online returns from 15–31 August, offering a limited selection of festival films and free short films on ACMI's Cinema 3 platform.
General public tickets available from 15 July 2025.
From a MIFF premiere to general cinema release, Rob Connolly’s Magic Beach, which is an adaptation of Alison Lester's beloved children's book, has been critically acclaimed. Image: ACMI
Multicultural Film Festival
26 July-25 September 2025, various venues across Victoria
Celebrating its seventh year, the Multicultural Film Festival features films made by local filmmakers that touch on diversity, multiculturalism and inclusion that ‘identify with more than 270 ancestries around the world'.
Presented by the Victorian Multicultural Commission in association with Swinburne University of Technology, submissions are open to the public, and feature awards, industry Q&As, and a film screening at ACMI on 9 June 2025.
The festival tours throughout Victoria from 26 July to 25 September, and then selected films will be available through SBS On Demand for 12 months from 10 November.
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne
14-24 August 2025, various venues around Melbourne
Celebrating Indian filmmaking both in cinemas and online, the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne showcases Indian films on themes of diversity and inclusivity.
Now running for 16 years, it has become the largest Indian Film Festival in Australia and is supported by Film Victoria. The Melbourne Diwali Festival on 11 October 2025 is another way to immerse yourself in the culture of India.
Armenian Film Festival
29-31 August 2025, The Lido Hawthorn
Showcasing the best of Armenian film, the festival encompasses film, documentaries, animations, and shorts with an aim to inspire and entertain. Looking to display Armenia's talents for creativity and storytelling, the panel and film makers aim to educate and create open dialogue around Armenia.
ST. Ali Italian Film Festival
Sept-Oct 2025, Palace Cinemas
There’s no better place for an in-cinema gelato than the ST. Ali Italian Film Festival. Bringing the Mediterranean movie style to our shores, big-screen lovers can laugh, cry and invest in stories and culture at the biggest Italian film festival outside of Venice in the world.
Jewish International Film Festival
October 2025, TBC, Classic Cinema
The Jewish International Film Festival for 2025 will feature a range of Jewish-themed and Israeli films be released in cinemas and digitally at home towards the end of the year. This year’s expanded program includes four new short narrative works.
Melbourne Queer Film Festival
November 2025, TBC, various venues
The Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) is Australia's oldest and largest queer film festival, attracting tens of thousands of attendees each year. Internationally recognised as a key platform for queer cinema, it plays a vital role in celebrating, advocating, and providing visibility for queer communities.
Held annually in November, the festival features more than 140 films, including feature films, shorts, and documentaries. MQFF curates a diverse showcase of queer narratives and offers a range of public programs, discussions, and events for the queer community and allies to enjoy. The full program for MQFF will be available around November.
British Film Festival
November 2025, TBC, Palace Cinemas
There’s nothing like a British thriller or awkward rom-com. At the British Film Festival, viewers can expect a mix of big-name releases alongside indie classics and hidden treasures, from vintage footage to Oscar contenders. BYO teacup.
Japanese Film Festival
November 2025, TBC, various venues around Melbourne
While details are still to come, the Japanese Film Festival has previously been presented by The Japan Foundation, who look to bring stories from the east to the west. ‘J-Film,’ as it has become known, has found popularity amongst its action and animation, while also presenting a range of comedies, dramas, thrillers and documentaries.
I Saw the TV Glow, screening at MIFF 2025, is expected to be one of the most talked-about films of the year. Image: ACMI
Melbourne and Victoria film festival calendar for 2026
The Peninsula Film Festival
9-11 January 2026, various locations on the Peninsula
Supported by the likes of Russell Crowe and Sam Worthington, the Aussie outdoor film fest features up to 20 short Australian films alongside workshops, food trucks, local wine and beers, market stalls and local produce.
Make a stay of it at the RACV Cape Schanck Resort.
Europa! Europa
February 2026, TBC, Lido and Classic Cinemas
For three weeks, Lido and Classic Cinemas will be celebrating European cinema. Through film, key speaker and community events, Europa! Europa brings festival and critically-acclaimed favourites to the masses from the United Kingdom to Georgia, Armenia, Luxembourg, Italy and the Czech Republic, just to name a few.
Stellar Short Film Festival
28 Feburary 2026, TBC, McClelland Sculpture Park and Gallery
Featuring the top 75 winners from film festivals around Australia, the Stellar Short Film festival encompasses film, food, drink, live entertainment, and music.
The event is held at the McClelland Sculpture Park near the RACV Cape Schanck Resort, where visitors can roam the grounds and discover 2,600 works of art. Enjoy it as a stop on the Mornington Sculpture Trail.
Melbourne Women in Film Festival
19-23 March 2026, ACMI
As a joint venture between the City of Melbourne and ACMI, the Melbourne Women in Film Festival showcases the work of women and gender diverse filmmakers from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and Pasifika. Next year marks the festival's 10th anniversary and submissions for the 2026 event close 26 September (extended deadline).
The McClelland Sculpture Park on the Mornington Peninsula will host its annual film festival in 2026.
Bendigo Queer Film Festival
March 2026, TBC, Bendigo
Celebrating queer talent from the regions as part of Bendigo PRIDE, the Bendigo Queer Film Festival aims to 'provide cultural and artistic opportunities to gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people living in Central Victoria,' with programs in drama, comedy, documentary, and stories from life.
As well as the Bendigo Queer Film Festival, this regional city offers a range of attractions. Bendigo Art Gallery is known for hosting significant and innovative exhibitions, and its collection is extensive. Bendigo Writers Festival is one of hottest destinations for book lovers, from 15 to 17 August 2025.
Alliance Francaise French Film Festival
March-April 2026, TBC, various locations
After more than 188,000 film lovers attended the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival in 2024, the festival expanded to five new Australian cities: Ballarat, Ballina, Warriewood, Warrawong, and Darwin. The festival shines a spotlight on the visionary directors and rising stars who are shaping French cinema. It includes films from Canada (particularly Quebec), Belgium, Switzerland, Senegal, Tunisia, and other countries where French is spoken.
Persian Film Festival Australia
April-May 2026, Palace Cinemas
The 12th Persian Film Festival is an annual competitive film festival dedicated to showcasing works by Iranian and Persian-speaking filmmakers from around the world. It will be held April to May 2026. The program will include an official competition in feature, documentary and short film categories where the festival jury will present the Golden Gazelle Award to the best film in each section.
Korean Film Festival
May 2026, TBC, ACMI
The award-winning movies Parasite and Everything Everywhere All At Once put South Korean cinema on the map, and interest has kept growing. Those looking for more action can head to the Korean Film Festival, which is next scheduled to be held around May 2026.
The Theatre Royal's documentary festival offers the chance to visit the charming town of Castlemaine. Image: Visit Victoria
German Film Festival
May 2026, TBC, Palace Cinemas
Presented by Palace Cinemas, the German Film Festival showcases the latest Bavarian cinema, including films from nearby Austria and Switzerland.
With a mix of contemporary releases, kids' films, and retrospective cinema, RACV Members can enjoy their schnitzel and pretzels with discounted Palace Cinemas tickets.
Melbourne International Animation Festival
May 2026, TBC, various venues across Melbourne
With up to 400 films on show, the Melbourne International Animation Festival is the largest film festival in the country celebrating animation on screen.
Featuring local and international works, previous award winners, forums, contemporary and retrospective works, studio films and new independents, enjoy the silver screen as animation comes to life.
Cannes Film Festival - Melbourne screenings
May 2026, TBC, ACMI
The Festival de Cannes is held annually around May on the French riviera. Featuring a rotating jury, many stars flock to the resort town in France to showcase their latest films, network, sell film distribution rights and compete for awards, the most prestigious being the ‘Palme d’Or.’
Some of these films typically make their way to Australia during our own great film festivals, such as screenings at MIFF, during certain national festivals, or before the Academy Awards season toward the end of the year.
St Kilda Film Festival
June 2026, TBC, various venues around St Kilda
Presented by the City of Port Phillip, the St Kilda Film Festival showcases a variety of films from accomplished filmmakers and new talent. Supporting youth filmmakers and filmmaker development, it also is home to the country’s Top Short Film Competition, which qualifies films screened for Academy Awards submission.
Spanish Film Festival
June-July 2026, TBC, Palace Cinemas
The Spanish Film Festival features around 30 films from Spain and Latin America, including star-studded dramas, comedies, and thrillers. The curated selection celebrates Spanish culture, food, language and film, offering movie lovers a cinematic journey across Spain and Latin America. Encore screenings of audience favourites offer the chance to catch up on the best of the fest.
Castlemaine Documentary Festival
July 2026, TBC, Theatre Royale, Castlemaine
The Castlemaine Documentary Festival brings film to the countryside with a wealth of experiences including film, Q&As, live telecasts, and pop-up events. Top off your visit with a trip around Victoria's bustling Goldfields region.
