Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF)

Overview

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is Australia's most prestigious film festival. Founded in 1952 and held annually in July and August in Melbourne -- Australia's cultural capital and one of the Southern Hemisphere's most arts-engaged cities -- the festival presents competitive international and Australian cinema to a sophisticated audience with deep cinephile traditions.

Melbourne's identity as Australia's most European city, with a strong cafe culture, live music scene, and arts infrastructure, creates an audience that engages with international cinema with unusual depth. MIFF has been at the center of Melbourne's film culture for seven decades, premiering films from world cinema's most celebrated directors before they achieved wider release.

The festival's competition, retrospectives, and documentary programs create a comprehensive representation of world cinema that no other Australian festival matches in breadth and critical seriousness.

Key Sections

• International Competition -- world films competing for jury prizes
• Australian Competition -- new Australian features
• Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
• Short Film Competition -- competitive short programs
• Retrospectives -- programs dedicated to major filmmakers

What Filmmakers Should Know

MIFF accepts open submissions. For Australian filmmakers, MIFF is the most prestigious domestic platform. For international filmmakers, the Melbourne cinephile audience provides the highest-quality critical engagement available in Australia.

Major Awards

• MIFF Award -- Best Australian Film
• FIPRESCI Award -- International critics prize
• Audience Award

Festival History

MIFF was founded in 1952, making it one of the world's oldest continuing film festivals.

See Also

For Australian cinema, see International Film Markets. For Sydney Film Festival, see Sydney Film Festival.