Melbourne International Film Festival is returning for another year with screenings at Theatre Royal Castlemaine as part of its annual regional showcase this August.
The 2024 MIFF program was officially launched last Thursday evening and is once again set to feature a diverse array of films telling stories from across the globe.
This winter, MIFF is taking over Melbourne from August 5-25 with one of the most exciting programs ever, featuring more than 250 films from over 62 countries. They’ve got the hottest picks from the worldwide festival circuit, new Aussie films, future award contenders and films showing for the first time in Victoria.
Tickets go on sale from today.
MIFF artistic director Al Cossar told the Express they were excited to be once again showcasing 10 films from this extraordinary lineup in Castlemaine over two big weekends on August 16-18 and 23-25 and will have a number of guests visiting the township across the event to present films and participate in memorable Q&A opportunities.
“We had several sellout sessions at Castlemaine last year and look forward to returning in 2024,” he said.
Al said highlights included the long-awaited second claymation feature Memoir of a Snail from Melbourne director and Oscar winner Adam Elliot (Harvie Krumpet 2003).
“Adam’s latest offering once again has that quintessential Australian feel and features a stellar voice cast including the likes of Sarah Snook, Jacki Weaver, Eric Bana, Magda Szubanski and Nick Cave. The film will open our Melbourne event on August 8 and the Castlemaine event on August 16,” he said.
Another film the artistic director is excited about is Magic Beach directed by Robert Connolly.
“It’s always wonderful when the program features an offering for families and children. I know we have always had a copy of Alison Lester’s Magic Beach on our bookshelf. It’s a story I have always enjoyed reading with my children and Australian director Connolly has worked with 10 2D and 3D animators to bring this incredible story to life with a magic mixture of live action and animation that is destined to become a family favourite,” Al said.
“Another one of my picks for the Castlemaine audience would have to be the music-themed film Ellis Park.
“This feature documentary featuring famed musician Warren Ellis (The Dirty Three and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds) explores his passion project: a wildlife sanctuary in the forests of Sumatra!
“One that is also sure to appeal is female-fronted skateboarding documentary Queens of Concrete, which was filmed over seven years and follows the story of three skateboarders from regional Victoria striving to represent Australia at the Olympics,” he said.
“And then there is US film, I Saw the TV Glow, which stars Brigette Lundy-Paine (Atypical) and Justice Smith (Pokémon: Detective Pikachu) as teen outsiders in the 1990s whose obsessive pop-culture fandom causes rifts in their realities. It is a very striking, bold film.”
Other films set to screen in Castlemaine include; La Concina, Left Write Hook, Janet Planet, Flathead and Twilight Time.
“In addition to the local screenings and events, film lovers can also jump online and watch a range of films and shorts as part of the MIFF online program,” Al said.
“This is perfect for those with health or mobility issues, those with young children who can’t get into the cinema but still want to experience some of the incredible MIFF program, or for those who have enjoyed a taste of the local film offerings and want more!” Cossar said.
To explore the program visit miff.com.au
Stay tuned for more details about local MIFF guests.
The Magic Beach brings a children’s classic to life and will delight local young audiences. 
Queens of Concrete follows the story of three young female skateboarders striving to make the Olympics. 
Left Write Hook follows the story of eight survivors of childhood sexual abuse, taking part in a groundbreaking program that combines boxing and creative writing.
