The Melbourne International Film Festival 2026 runs from Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August, bringing more than 200 films, gala screenings, Australian premieres, shorts, talks, extended-reality works and special events to cinemas across Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Known as MIFF, the festival is one of Melbourne’s main winter events. You can attend one film, use a multi-admission pass, plan a full cinema day, take children to a family session or watch a selected online program from home in Australia.
Updated for MIFF 2026: The full program is available and tickets are on sale. Popular sessions may move to standby, so book fixed-date screenings before arranging dinner, transport or a second film.
MIFF is one of the main events in our things to do in Melbourne this month guide. For other recurring events, see our annual Melbourne festivals page.
Quick Navigation
MIFF Fast Facts -Dates, format, locations and booking status.
2026 Program -Films, galas, competitions, talks and XR.
Tickets and Passes -Pass prices and who each option suits.
Festival Venues -Main cinemas and easy precinct plans.
Families and Ages -Family films, classifications and session checks.
MIFF FAQs -Direct answers for first-time visitors.
When Is the Melbourne International Film Festival 2026?
| MIFF 2026 Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Festival dates | Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August 2026 |
| Main location | Melbourne CBD and inner-city cinemas |
| Regional dates | 14–16 August and 21–23 August at nine Victorian cinemas |
| Program size | More than 200 films, plus talks, XR works and special events |
| Booking status | Tickets are on sale |
| Best transport | Train or tram for most central venues |
| Weather suitability | Strong indoor choice for Melbourne winter |
| Family suitability | Selected family and all-ages films; check every classification |
| Wheelchair access | Step-free or wheelchair access is available across metropolitan venues |
Is the Melbourne International Film Festival Worth Attending?
You do not need to follow independent cinema closely to enjoy MIFF. A single afternoon or evening screening can fit into a normal Melbourne day. Larger passes suit people who already know they will attend several sessions.
The festival may not suit visitors who prefer mainstream releases only, dislike subtitled films or cannot commit to a fixed session time. Each listing has its own language, running time, classification, venue and access information, so the right film depends on more than its description.
| If You Are | Is MIFF a Good Choice? | Best Plan |
|---|---|---|
| A first-time visitor | Yes | Choose one well-timed film at ACMI, The Capitol or Melbourne Central. |
| A regular cinema visitor | Yes | Compare a 3-film or 6-film pass with separate tickets. |
| Visiting with children | Yes, for selected films | Use the Family Films strand and verify the classification. |
| Looking for a rainy-day activity | Yes | Book a CBD cinema close to food and train or tram stops. |
| Unable to reach Melbourne | Sometimes | Check MIFF Online or the regional program. |
| Unsure what film to choose | Yes | Filter by theme, language, genre, date, venue and access service. |
What Is in the MIFF 2026 Program?
MIFF divides the program into strands, making it easier to choose by interest rather than reading every listing. The schedule can also be filtered by date, time, venue, language, genre, country, theme, film type and access service.
| Program Area | What It Includes | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Galas and Special Events | Opening Night, premiere events, guests and larger cinema occasions | Visitors who want a major festival night |
| Headliners | Recent work from established international directors | People following recognised directors and award-season cinema |
| Bright Horizons | First and second features competing in MIFF’s feature competition | People looking for newer directors |
| Australia | Features, documentaries and episodic work from Australian filmmakers | Local cinema and Australian premieres |
| Family Films | Films selected for children, teens and family groups | Parents and carers |
| MIFF Shorts | Australian and international short fiction, documentary, animation and experimental film | Visitors who want several stories in one session |
| Music on Film | Music documentaries, concert stories and films about performers | Music fans |
| Night Shift | Horror, cult cinema and late sessions | Genre fans and late-night visitors |
| Restorations | Older films returned to cinemas in restored formats | Classic cinema followers |
| MIFF Talks | Conversations, panels and craft sessions linked to film and filmmaking | Students, filmmakers and curious viewers |
| MIFF XR | Extended-reality and audiovisual works | Visitors seeking a format beyond a normal cinema screen |
| MIFF Online | A selected group of films and free shorts available through ACMI Cinema 3 | People watching from home in Australia |
What Are the Main Special Events in 2026?
Special events usually have their own ticket conditions and are not covered by standard Multipasses. Read the booking terms before buying a pass for a gala, XR work or dining event.
What Is the Bright Horizons Competition?
This strand suits visitors who want films from emerging directors rather than the most publicised titles. The dedicated pass costs less than the standard three-admission Multipass, but it applies only to Bright Horizons films.
How Should You Choose a Film at MIFF?
The most common booking error is choosing films solely from their descriptions. A suitable film also needs to fit the rest of your day.
| Check | Why It Affects Your Plan |
|---|---|
| Session time | A film starting after 10 pm may finish well after normal dining hours. |
| Running time | A 90-minute film and a three-hour film create very different schedules. |
| Venue | Two screenings may be separated by a long walk or tram trip. |
| Classification | Age rules are enforced, including Unclassified 18+ sessions. |
| Language | Check whether the film is in English, subtitled or contains no dialogue. |
| Access services | Some sessions include open captions, audio description, Auslan or sensory adjustments. |
| Event type | Galas, talks, XR and Food & Film may have different prices and entry rules. |
| Ticket status | Popular sessions can move to standby or sell out. |
How Much Are MIFF 2026 Passes?
The prices below were listed by MIFF on 1 August 2026. Check the final checkout total before payment because special-event pricing and transaction fees may apply.
| Pass | Full Price | Concession | MIFF Member | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Multipass-3 | $81.40 | $73.30 | $69.20 | One person seeing three films or a small group sharing admissions |
| Multipass-6 | $154.20 | $138.80 | $131.00 | Regular festival visitors |
| Multipass-12 | $291.30 | $262.20 | $247.70 | People planning a large schedule |
| Bright Horizons 3-Pass | $72.90 | $65.60 | $61.90 | Three films from the Bright Horizons competition |
Which MIFF Ticket Option Should You Choose?
| Your Plan | Best Starting Option |
|---|---|
| One standard screening | Buy an individual ticket. |
| Three standard screenings | Compare the Multipass-3 with separate ticket prices. |
| Six or more standard screenings | Check the Multipass-6 or Multipass-12. |
| Three Bright Horizons films | Use the Bright Horizons 3-Pass. |
| Opening Night, gala or XR | Buy the specific event ticket; standard Multipasses do not apply. |
| Unsure how many films you will attend | Start with individual tickets rather than buying a larger non-refundable pass. |
What Can’t You Book With a Standard Multipass?
Passes are non-refundable and apply only to eligible in-cinema sessions. Review the ticket terms before buying when most of your preferred events are galas, dining sessions or regional screenings.
Where Is MIFF Held in Melbourne?
| Venue | Area | Closest Useful Transport | Good Nearby Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACMI | Federation Square | Flinders Street Station and Swanston Street trams | Fed Square, NGV and Southbank |
| Forum Melbourne | Flinders Street | Flinders Street Station | ACMI, Hosier Lane and city dining |
| The Capitol | Swanston Street | Flinders Street Station and Swanston Street trams | City arcades and Chinatown |
| Hoyts Melbourne Central | Melbourne Central | Melbourne Central Station | State Library Victoria and CBD food |
| Kino Cinema | Collins Place | Parliament Station | Spring Street and Treasury Gardens |
| IMAX Melbourne | Carlton Gardens | Trams 86 and 96 or city buses | Melbourne Museum and Carlton |
| Cinema Nova | Carlton | Lygon Street trams | Lygon Street dining |
| The Astor Theatre | St Kilda | Tram 5 or nearby train and tram connections | Chapel Street or St Kilda |
| Village Cinemas Crown | Southbank | Southern Cross Station and Southbank trams | Yarra River and Southbank dining |
Which MIFF Precinct Is Easiest for First-Time Visitors?
Melbourne Central is another easy choice because the cinema sits above the station and inside a shopping centre. Carlton works well when you want to pair a film with Melbourne Museum or a meal on Lygon Street.
Many central MIFF cinemas sit inside or close to Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone. Check the boundary before boarding because Carlton, St Kilda and several other venues are outside it.
How Early Should You Arrive for a MIFF Screening?
MIFF sessions start at the listed time and include about eight minutes of pre-roll. Late tickets may be released to a standby queue. Early arrival also gives you time to find the cinema, use the bathroom and locate an allocated seat.
Allocated seating applies at ACMI, Forum, IMAX, Cinema Nova, The Capitol and Village Cinemas Crown. Other standard sessions generally use general admission.
Is MIFF Held Outside Melbourne?
The regional program brings selected festival titles to locations including Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Geelong, Healesville, Rosebud, Sale and Warrnambool. Regional sessions use separate ticketing and cannot be booked with a standard MIFF Multipass.
Can Children Attend the Melbourne International Film Festival?
The 2026 Family Gala presents the Australian premiere of the animated film Forgotten Island. The wider Family Films strand includes films intended for children, teenagers and adults attending together.
Do not assume animation automatically means a film suits children. Check the age classification, content advice, running time and session hour before booking.
| Family Check | What to Confirm |
|---|---|
| Classification | Whether the child meets the stated age rule |
| Unclassified status | Whether the session is all ages or restricted to people aged 18 and over |
| Running time | Whether the child can sit through the film and any event component |
| Language | Whether subtitles suit the child’s reading level |
| Session time | Whether the finish time suits the family |
| Venue rules | Food, prams, seating and access arrangements |
For more winter family plans outside the festival, use our things to do with kids in Melbourne guide.
Is MIFF Accessible for Wheelchair Users and People With Sensory or Hearing Needs?
Available services vary by film and venue. Use the access filter in the official program before booking rather than assuming the same service is offered at every session.
MIFF lists the following options:
- Step-free and wheelchair access across metropolitan venues
- Priority seating for people with access requirements
- Open-captioned and fully subtitled films
- Audio-described sessions
- Auslan-interpreted events
- Assistive listening and hearing-loop services at selected venues
- Sensory-friendly sessions
- Baby-friendly sessions
- Companion tickets for Companion Card holders
Contact the festival access team before booking when you need a wheelchair space, companion seat, queue-free entry or a specific communication service.
Can You Watch MIFF 2026 Online?
The online program is smaller than the cinema schedule. Standard Multipasses cannot be used for streaming. Create an ACMI Cinema 3 account, choose an available title and pay for the film or program you want to watch.
Online viewing suits people outside Melbourne, anyone unable to attend a venue or viewers who want extra films without another city trip.
Can You Combine MIFF With Dinner or Drinks?
Choose the film time before booking dinner. A restaurant booking made without checking the running time can leave too little time to reach the cinema.
| Screening Area | Easy Food Area | Best Timing |
|---|---|---|
| ACMI or Forum | Federation Square, Flinders Lane or Southbank | Early meal before a later film, or supper after an early session |
| The Capitol | Chinatown, Swanston Street or city arcades | Allow time for the walk and cinema queue |
| Melbourne Central | Melbourne Central, QV or Chinatown | Useful for a quick meal between sessions |
| Cinema Nova | Lygon Street | Book dinner after confirming the film finish time |
| Kino | Collins Street, Flinders Lane or Spring Street | Works well for a weekday evening |
| Village Crown | Crown and Southbank | Allow extra time on busy Friday and Saturday nights |
What Is a Good One-Day MIFF Plan?
| Time | Simple Festival Day |
|---|---|
| Late morning | Arrive in the CBD, collect a printed program if needed and have coffee near the first cinema. |
| Early afternoon | Attend the first film at ACMI, The Capitol, Forum or Melbourne Central. |
| Mid-afternoon | Allow a proper break for lunch, notes, a short walk or another indoor attraction. |
| Early evening | Attend a second film in the same precinct. |
| After the film | Have dinner or drinks nearby rather than crossing the city again. |
What Do First-Time MIFF Visitors Commonly Get Wrong?
| Common Error | Better Plan |
|---|---|
| Buying a pass without booking sessions | Add each film to the pass and finish checkout. |
| Booking two films with no travel break | Check venue addresses and allow 45 to 60 minutes when moving. |
| Choosing only by film title | Check running time, language, classification and access details. |
| Arriving at the listed start time | Reach the cinema 10 to 15 minutes early. |
| Assuming late entry is allowed | Treat the session start as a firm deadline. |
| Using a standard pass for a gala | Read the pass exclusions and buy the correct event ticket. |
| Planning a long outdoor gap in winter | Choose nearby cafes, galleries, arcades or libraries between films. |
FAQs About the Melbourne International Film Festival
When is MIFF 2026?
Where is the Melbourne International Film Festival held?
Are MIFF 2026 tickets on sale?
How many films are at MIFF 2026?
Can MIFF passes be shared?
Do you need to reserve films when using a MIFF pass?
Can children attend MIFF?
Can you watch MIFF from home?
Is MIFF wheelchair accessible?
What happens if you arrive late to MIFF?
How Should You Plan MIFF 2026?
For one film, buy a single ticket and build a Melbourne afternoon or evening around it. For three or more standard films, compare the Multipasses. For families, stay within the Family Films strand and check age rules. For access needs, filter the program before booking and contact MIFF where required.
The simplest first visit is one screening near Flinders Street or Melbourne Central, followed by food nearby. A good multi-film day keeps both sessions in the same part of the city and leaves a proper break between them.
See more August ideas in our things to do this month guide, or compare MIFF with other recurring events in our Melbourne festival calendar.