#melbourneinternationalfilmfestival — Public Fediverse posts

What Mark Saw: August 23, 2026

THE SAMURAI AND THE PRISONER - ★★★



Japanese film telling a story of a samurai leader who has rebelled against is former lord, protecting a castle and attempting to both keep the castle safe as well as hoping to strategically stop the man he rebelled against. He chooses mostly pacifist actions, including keeping a prisoner rather than taking the "honourab

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/23/august-23-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 22, 2026

BOSS CAT - ★★★



Australian film set in the Blue Mountains about a young woman living with Down syndrome who is navigating the difficulties of her future after the sudden, unexpected death of her mother. She discovers Krump dancing as an outlet to deal with situations and reduce the stresses or anxieties that she feels. Overall, a good film, and it’s excel

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/23/august-22-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

French Girls review – scrappy Australian film made for $28,000 reveals refreshing new talents
By Luke Buckmaster

Low-fi, aesthetically austere work set in Sydney’s modelling scene makes you wonder what writer-director Hyun Lee might do with more resources

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/21/french-girls-review-scrappy-australian-film-made-for-28000-reveals-refreshing-new-talents

#Australianfilm #Film #Culture #Melbourneinternationalfilmfestival #Dramafilms #TheGuardian #LukeBuckmaster

What Mark Saw: August 19, 2026

KINGS OF VENICE - ★★★☆



Documentary about the Paddle Ball scene in Venice, California. Paddle Ball is a sport that's been around a long time, gone through some name changes, but is on the downward trend in popularity. It's played on a small court with a deflated tennis ball, and has a strong resemblance to the newer sport of pickleball, which is gaining i

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/20/august-19-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 18, 2026

NINO - ★★★★



French film about a young man who on his birthday finds out that he has throat cancer, and whose treatment will begin the following Monday. We spend the weekend as he goes through through multiple locations, interactions with others, and processing the news. It’s the type of film the French seem to do well, finding a way to tell a story in re

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/20/august-18-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

Sweet Milk Lake review – a rewarding film about a trans man mistaken for his twin brother
By Luke Buckmaster

Harvey Zielinski is superb as director, writer and star of his feature debut – playing not one, but two roles

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/20/sweet-milk-lake-review-a-rewarding-film-about-a-trans-man-mistaken-for-his-twin-brother

#Australianfilm #Film #Transgender #Culture #Melbourneinternationalfilmfestival #Dramafilms #TheGuardian #LukeBuckmaster

What Mark Saw: August 17, 2026

LA BOLA NEGRA - ★★★☆



Spanish film that cuts across three timelines, with a running theme across all regarding how homosexuality has been treated historically in the country, as well as in modern day. Very nicely shot, well paced, especially for a relatively long film. The quick moral of the story can be best summarised by quoting David Lynch's character

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/18/august-17-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 15, 2026

HOLD ONTO ME - ★★★☆



Greek film about a young girl who similarly to yesterday’s film, Whispers in May, has little parental guidance. In this film, her parents are divorced and she hasn’t seen her dad in years. She spends her time hanging out with a friend, stealing borrowing a boat, and generally fending for herself while her mother and older brother do t

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/16/august-15-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 14, 2026

WHISPERS IN MAY - ★



How to make a 90 minute film about a multi day trek seem like it is a multi-day trek. For years the term "dreamlike" has been warning sign for me, and I missed that in this film's description. Maybe this film was great for some; the premise sounded interesting enough; a young girl around 12, who in the absence of her parents wants t

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/16/august-14-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

Mad Rush review – an intricate phone scam isn’t quite enough to drive this very Melbourne movie
By Luke Buckmaster

In Hollywood’s hands this would be a pulse-pounding thriller, but Maddelin McKenna’s lithe feature debut is all about street-level authenticity

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/15/mad-rush-review-melbourne-international-film-festival

#Australianfilm #Film #Melbourne #Dramafilms #Culture #Melbourneinternationalfilmfestival #Festivals #TheGuardian #LukeBuckmaster

What Mark Saw: August 13, 2026

ALL THE LOVERS IN THE NIGHT - ★★★★







A long-ish Japanese film about a young woman who acts as a freelance book proofreader and leads a fairly quiet solo existence, bar occasional interactions with her female manager friend. She meets a man in his 50s, and they begin to catch up for a coffee and conversation. As the story unfolds, the darker side of wha

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/14/august-13-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 11, 2026

SILENCED - ★★★★



This excellent documentary had its Victorian premiere last night. Very highly recommended, and important to watch. It covered the tendency of women who suffer from violence, and then the ordeal placed upon them when they are hauled through litigation used as a weapon against them, and how social media plays a part in turning the public’s

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/12/august-11-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

‘Everything about me is good in his eyes’: the women in China choosing AI boyfriends over human men
By Nick Buckley

In her new documentary Replica, film-maker Chouwa Liang taps into her own experience of finding love with artificial intelligence and makes contact with other women like her

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/12/ai-boyfriend-dating-chinese-women-replica-miff-documentary

#Documentaryfilms #Australianfilm #Film #Melbourneinternationalfilmfestival #Culture #AIartificialintelligence #China #AsiaPacific #Worldnews #TheGuardian #NickBuckley

What Mark Saw: August 10, 2026

HEN - ★★★★







Pretty incredibly made film about a chicken. The filmmakers have done an excellent job portraying the life and adventures of a chicken born in a factory, but who through a series of events finds itself out in the wider world. There were a few minor flaws, but I was happy to overlook them. Will definitely be looking into how they achieved t

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/11/august-10-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 9, 2026

THE TALE OF SILYAN - ★★★★



A very well-made documentary about an ageing farmer in North Macedonia, showing the joys of everyday life and family, as well as the struggles in a more modern world to make ends meet. It's paralleled with the story of Silyan, a young man who, when cursed by his father for wanting to leave his village, is turned into a stork. Simi

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/10/august-9-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 8, 2026

Summer Tour - ★★☆



It was a day of documentaries, and this was the weakest of the three. A missed opportunity and an interesting enough premise; following around a couple of young deadheads (Grateful Dead fans) as they drove their van around America. I felt like they could have dug a little deeper, spent more time exploring the history of this community, an

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/09/august-8-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 7, 2026

Before getting to today's films, the first session today was at the lovely, lovely Capitol Theatre.







TWO SEASONS, TWO STRANGERS - ★★★



I sometimes go into sessions with absolutely no reference as to what they're about, or where they're from. Sometimes it's due to being rushed, and sometimes it's just to be surprised. Today was a mix of both. It's a J

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/08/august-7-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

Tony Jones: ‘I’m very far from being an activist’
By Emma Joyce

The journalist turned film-maker on empathy, his investigation into animal testing, and life in one of Australia’s most enduring media power couples

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/ng-interactive/2026/aug/08/tony-jones-im-very-far-from-being-an-activist

#Australianmedia #QA #Australianews #Australianpolitics #Australianlifestyle #AustralianBroadcastingCorporation #Animalwelfare #Australianfilm #Documentaryfilms #Film #Melbourneinternationalfilmfestival #TheGuardian #EmmaJoyce

What Mark Saw: August 6, 2026

WICKER - ★★★☆



MIFF opening night film for 2026. For the third year in a row MIFF did a great job. Great cast line-up including a favourite in our household, Olivia Colman, this is a film based on short story about a woman in a small village who casts aside expectations around marriage, and is treated like an outcast by her community. After having enough, s

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/08/07/august-6-2026/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

Hackers leak sensitive Victorian court data to dark web

The personal information of Victorian court users has been posted on the dark web, sparking a police investigation.…
#Australia #AU #Austrlia #children'scourt #CourtServicesVictoria #courts #cybersafety #databreach #hack #magistratescourt #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #miff
https://www.europesays.com/australia/66676/

CINE. Melbourne International Film Festival 2026 proyectará 275 películas

https://balsiaproducciones.com.mx/2026/08/03/cine-melbourne-international-film-festival-2026-proyectara-275-peliculas/

On tour with the Beastie Boys, Sonic Youth and Foo Fighters: raw music documentary captures Australia’s ‘best summer’
By Caitlin Welsh

In 1995, US film-maker Tamra Davis travelled to Australia to capture the one-off Summersault tour on her camcorder. Thirty years on she has made The Best Summer, an intimate snapshot of an era that can never be repeated

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/01/summersault-tour-australia-best-summer-documentary-film

#Musicdocumentary #Documentaryfilms #Melbourneinternationalfilmfestival #Film #Culture #Australianmusic #BeastieBoys #Festivals #Music #TheGuardian #CaitlinWelsh

What Mark Saw: MIFF 2026 Film Selections

Melbourne International Film Festival is nearing, and as I've done in several previous years, I've scoured the guide to select which films are either 'Can't Miss', 'Want to See', and 'Might be worthwhile'. I will not make it to most, but hope to see as many as possible. This year, the films are:



Can't Miss:




Blue Heron



Fatherla

https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/07/24/miff-2026-film-selections/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

What Mark Saw: August 22-24, 2025
Must have forgotten to write some scores for film at MIFF in 2025, so posting them now, about 11 months later.



August 24, 2025



BLUE MOON - ★★★☆



August 23, 2025



TRAINS - ★★★☆



August 22, 2025



PRIME MINISTER - ★★★★



SPREADSHEET CHAMPIONS - ★★★
https://whatmarksaw.cola.net/2026/07/24/august-22-24-2025/
#MIFF #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

Queer films not to miss at the Melbourne International Film Festival

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is back from August 6 to 23 with another massive program. This…
#Australia #Melbourne #filmfestival #hedwigandtheangryinch #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #miff #queercinema #queermovies
https://www.europesays.com/australia/48914/

Melbourne International Film Festival 2026 Program Revealed

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has revealed the full 2026 program, led by a strong lineup that…
#Australia #Melbourne #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival2026 #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestivalprogram #miff #MIFF2026 #MIFFprogram #Silenced #TheMelbourneInternationalFilmFestival(MIFF) #TinaArena:UnravelMe #wicker
https://www.europesays.com/australia/47348/

Melbourne International Film Festival Unveils Full 2026 Program

The full program for the 74th edition of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF), opening next month, has…
#Australia #Melbourne #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival2026 #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestivalprogram #miff #MIFF2026 #MIFFprogram #Silenced #TheMelbourneInternationalFilmFestival(MIFF) #TinaArena:UnravelMe #wicker
https://www.europesays.com/australia/47342/

Aged care in Australia under the microscope in new documentary Careless

As I sit down to write up this interview with passionate Melbourne-based filmmaker Sue Thomson about her must-see…
#NewsBeep #News #Entertainment #Agedcare #agedcaredocumentary #AU #Australia #carelessdocumentary #carelessdocumentarywheretowatch #carelessfilm #carelessmovie #lolanankervis #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #MIFF #suethomson
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/331526/

Comedian John Clarke celebrated by his filmmaker daughter, Lorin, in new documentary

While chatting with Lorin Clarke, daughter of the much-missed political satirist and The 7.30 Report veteran John Clarke,…
#NewsBeep #News #Movies #AU #Australia #ButAlsoJohnClarke #documentary #Entertainment #FredDagg #JohnClarke #LorinClarke #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #satire
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/119214/

Excelling in … Excel? Inside the high-stakes, secretive world of competitive spreadsheeting https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/aug/02/excelling-in-excel-inside-the-high-stakes-secretive-world-of-competitive-spreadsheeting #Melbourneinternationalfilmfestival #Documentaryfilms #Technology #Microsoft #Computing #Culture #Sport #Film

MIFF 2025: Film industry’s key content and financing event opens applications

https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2025/04/01/miff-2025-film-industrys-key-content-and-financing-event-opens-applications/?feed_id=209727

#37°SouthMarket #CarolinePitcher #DamienHodgkinson #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #MIFF

‘Universal Language,’ ‘Flow’ Take Major Prizes at Melbourne Film Festival
#Variety #Asia #Festivals #Global #News #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #UniversalLanguage

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/melbourne-film-festival-prizes-universal-language-flow-1236117954/

‘Janet Planet,’ ‘Inside,’ ‘The Village Next to Paradise’ Set to Compete in Melbourne Festival’s Bright Horizons Section
#Variety #Asia #Festivals #Global #News #JanetPlanet #JiaZhangke #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/melbourne-film-festival-competition-lineup-1236064784/

‘Memoir of a Snail’ by Oscar-Winner Adam Elliot, Set to Open Melbourne Film Festival
#Variety #Asia #Festivals #Global #News #AdamElliot #JustinKurzel #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival #MemoirofaSnail

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/melbourne-film-festival-memoir-of-a-snail-oscar-winner-adam-elliot-1236025906/

Anu Rangachar Appointed Artistic Director as IFFLA and India Center Foundation Merge – Global Bulletin
#Variety #Asia #Festivals #Global #News #AnuRangachar #GlobalBulletin #IFFLA #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival

https://variety.com/2024/film/news/anu-rangachar-iffla-india-center-foundation-merger-1235874811/

"A tour de force of minimalist filmmaking": Indianna Bell & Josiah Allen’s confident, claustrophobic YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME "traps two suspicious strangers in a trailer during a torrential storm at night". Screens 10.30pm tonight at #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival. Review for #SciFiNow https://www.scifinow.co.uk/reviews/youll-never-find-me-review-a-tour-de-force-of-minimalist-filmmaking/

Strangers in a trailer: Indianna Bell & Josiah Allen’s confident, claustrophobic YOU'LL NEVER FIND ME (one of my favourite genre films of 2023) screens 9pm tonight at #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival, with a directors' Q&A moderated by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.
Review for #SciFiNow https://www.scifinow.co.uk/reviews/youll-never-find-me-review-a-tour-de-force-of-minimalist-filmmaking/

In Matt Vesely's locked-down mystery/psychodrama MONOLITH (2022), a podcasting protagonist "must either face – or efface – certain home truths for which only she has the black box." 6.30pm at #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival. Q&A moderated by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas https://projectedfigures.com/2023/03/14/monolith-2022

"here, the medium (in every sense) is the message, and viewers risk coming under its baleful influence": Cameron & Colin Cairnes' Late Night With the Devil screens 11.30pm at #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival, with Q&A from Alexandra Heller-Nicholas https://lwlies.com/festivals/midnight-in-austin-four-world-premieres-at-sxsw-2023/

This "tragedy of faith subjects a mentally ill heroine to her community’s blind belief": Nick Kozakis’ GODLESS: THE EASTFIELD EXORCISM (2023), 8.30pm tonight at #MelbourneInternationalFilmFestival with Q&A moderated by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas https://projectedfigures.com/2023/03/31/godless-the-eastfield-exorcism-2023-at-overlook-2023/