Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is coming back this August for its 71st year. And today, they announced two incredible Australian films as the festival’s Opening Night and Music on Film Gala features. The Sundance award-winning film Shayda, which is set and shot in Melbourne, will make its Australian premiere on Opening Night. Later on, Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story, will make its World Premiere. MIFF will return to cinemas from August 3 to 20. It’ll also take over regional locations from August 11 to 13, and August 18 to 20. If you can’t make it in person, you can also hop online for MIFF Play between August 18 and 27.
MIFF Feature films
Shayda
Shayda will open the season at the festival’s Opening Night Gala on Thursday August 3. It’s an autobiographical feature from Noora Niasari, a Tehran-born and Australian-raised writer-director. The film follows an Iranian woman and her young daughter as they arrive at a local women’s shelter in suburban Melbourne, seeking an escape from their oppressive home life. Based on Niasari’s upbringing, this project is a love letter to mothers and daughters, and received an Audience Award at Sundance earlier this year.
Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story
This documentary about Australian music industry legend Michael Gudinski will make its World Premiere at the Music on Film Gala on Thursday August 10. This film explores his legacy and life, with behind-the-scenes stories and interviews with artists like Kylie Minogue, Dave Grohl, Sting, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Jimmy Barnes. The doco also looks at the unorthodox tactics that helped Gudinski shape music history.
More about MIFF
Find new releases, cinematic gems, talks and special events over 18 days at MIFF. The festival will reveal full the full program on July 11.
If you can’t make it to Melbourne CBD, the festival will also take over Bendigo, Bright, Castlemaine, Geelong, Mildura, Rosebud and Warrnambool.
Pre-sale tickets for the Opening Night Gala and Music on Film Gala are on sale now for MIFF Members. General public sales open at 10am on Thursday May 25. To find out more, click here.