Melbourne International Film Festival

Photo: miff.com.au

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is annual film festival held in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1952, it is one of the world’s longest-running film festivals. It is also one of the four major film festivals in Melbourne, alongside the Melbourne International Animation Festival, Melbourne Underground Film Festival, and Melbourne Queer Film Festival.

The city of Melbourne plays an important role in the history of film. The world’s first full-length feature film, The Story of the Kelly Gang, was shot here and premiered at Melbourne Athenaeum on December 26, 1906. The Melbourne International Film Festival was established in 1952 and has since become an iconic Melbourne event and an Australian cultural icon.

MIFF presents an acclaimed screening program including new films from local and international filmmakers, retrospectives, and tributes. It prides itself on its bold, entertaining and adventurous programming. The festival pays special attention to locally made films, which has made it the country’s largest showcase of new Australian cinema. The Melbourne International Film Festivals strives to discover, support and promote Australian talent, especially young filmmakers. Film screenings are held in a variety of venues across Melbourne.

MIFF currently has two categories of awards. The festival’s short film competition is one of the most prestigious film competitions of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The winner receives the City of Melbourne Grand Prix for Best Short Film. Besides, there are several special awards. Winners of the MIFF Shorts Awards are eligible to submit their films for Academy Award consideration.

Feature films and documentaries have a chance to receive the MIFF Audience Awards. Each year the audiences vote for their favorite films throughout the festival. At the end of the event the Top 10 Feature Films and Top 10 Documentaries are announced. The MIFF Audience Awards are presented by Wander Victoria.

Alongside film screenings, the Melbourne International Film Festival presents an industry program that includes a finance market (MIFF 37ºSouth Market), a directors’ development program (MIFF Accelerator), and an investment fund (MIFF Premiere Fund). The 37ºSouth Market is the only film co-financing market in a film festival environment in Australia. It gives Australian and New Zealand film producers seeking co-financing support an opportunity to connect with international sales agents and distributors.

In 2020, the event was held online due to the coronavirus pandemic.