The 74th Melbourne International Film Festival 2026 brings 18 days of cinema to Melbourne from 6 to 23 August. With more than 200 films, documentaries, shorts, gala events, filmmaker talks and immersive experiences, MIFF gives cinephiles and industry guests an ideal reason to plan a winter city break. This guide covers key venues, nearby dining precincts and the best areas to stay for MIFF 2026.
1. Catch Premieres at ACMI
- Address: Federation Square, Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Dates and times: Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August 2026; sessions vary
- Tickets: Session prices vary; multi-film passes are available
ACMI is a natural starting point for a MIFF itinerary. Its Federation Square location places visitors near Flinders Street Station, the Yarra River, laneway dining and several other festival venues. Guests looking for boutique apartments in Melbourne CBD can base themselves in the central city, East Melbourne or Southbank for convenient access to ACMI Federation Square screenings.
Pro tip: Arrive early for coffee in Federation Square and check the walking time to your next venue before entering the session.
2. Step Back in Time at The Astor Theatre
- Address: 1 Chapel Street, St Kilda VIC 3182
- Dates and times: Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August 2026; selected sessions
- Tickets: Session prices vary; multi-film passes are available
Opened in 1936, The Astor Theatre is a heritage single-screen cinema known for its Art Deco character and old-world atmosphere. A standout 2026 event is the 25th-anniversary screening of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, featuring live commentary from writer-director and star John Cameron Mitchell on Friday 21 August.
St Kilda suits visitors who want restaurants, bars and coastal walks alongside the festival. Regular trams connect the neighbourhood with central Melbourne, although travellers should allow extra time before evening screenings.
Pro tip: Book an early dinner near Fitzroy Street or Carlisle Street rather than relying on a rushed meal after arrival.
3. Experience Grandeur at The Capitol
- Address: 113 Swanston Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Dates and times: Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August 2026; selected sessions
- Tickets: Session prices vary; multi-film passes are available
The Capitol is one of Melbourne’s most visually distinctive cinemas. Its geometric ceiling and changing light displays create a dramatic setting for international premieres and special events. Pedro Almodóvar’s Bitter Christmas screens here during MIFF 2026, while the venue also hosts a simultaneous Opening Night presentation of Wicker.
The Swanston Street location makes it easy to move between The Capitol, ACMI, Forum Melbourne and Hoyts Melbourne Central. It is especially practical for guests seeking short-term rentals in Melbourne CBD.
Pro tip: Arrive before the lights dim so you can appreciate the illuminated ceiling.
4. Enjoy Premium Comfort at Kino Cinema
- Address: Lower Ground, Collins Place, 45 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Dates and times: Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August 2026; selected sessions
- Tickets: Session prices vary; multi-film passes are available
Kino Cinema offers a more intimate festival experience at the Paris end of Collins Street. Its location suits visitors who prefer smaller auditoriums, premium city dining and an easy walk back to central accommodation. Gus Van Sant’s Dead Man’s Wire is among the films scheduled at Kino during the 2026 festival.
Pro tip: Reserve dinner in advance. Collins Street and nearby Flinders Lane restaurants can fill quickly during winter events.
5. Immerse in Indie Culture at Cinema Nova
- Address: 380 Lygon Street, Carlton VIC 3053
- Dates and times: Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August 2026; selected sessions
- Tickets: Session prices vary; multi-film passes are available
Cinema Nova brings MIFF into the heart of Carlton. The independent cinema is surrounded by bookshops, cafés and Lygon Street dining, making it ideal for audiences who want to continue discussing a film over dinner. The 2026 programme includes Cinema Nova sessions such as One in a Million and Master.
For Cinema Nova Carlton accommodation, consider Carlton, Fitzroy, North Melbourne or the northern CBD. Each area keeps central venues within a manageable walk or tram trip.
Pro tip: Leave enough time for pasta, pizza or espresso rather than squeezing Carlton into a short interval.
6. View Major Premieres at Forum Melbourne
- Address: 154 Flinders Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
- Dates and times: Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August 2026; selected sessions
- Tickets: Standard and special-event prices vary
Forum Melbourne combines grand architecture with the energy of a major festival event. Opened in 1929, the Gothic-Romanesque venue is known for its ornate interior and sky-blue ceiling. The world premiere of The Airport Chaplain, starring Shabana Azeez and Hugo Weaving, takes place here on Saturday 15 August, with cast and filmmakers scheduled to attend.
MIFF’s official 2026 Opening Night Gala for Wicker is centred at Hoyts Melbourne Central, not Forum, followed by an afterparty at Melbourne Town Hall.
Pro tip: Check whether your ticket is for a standard screening, premiere or gala because arrival requirements and pricing may differ.
7. Explore Festival Hubs Beyond the CBD
- Key venues: Hoyts Melbourne Central, Swanston Street; IMAX Melbourne, Carlton Gardens; Village Cinemas Crown, Southbank
- Dates and times: Metropolitan screenings run 6–23 August. Regional MIFF screenings 2026 run 14–16 August and 21–23 August.
- Tickets: Individual, special-event and pass pricing varies
Hoyts Melbourne Central hosts the official Opening Night presentation of Wicker. Its IMAX auditorium also screens selected titles, including Silenced and Dead Man’s Wire. Purpose-built IMAX Melbourne, attached to Melbourne Museum in Carlton, is a separate MIFF venue with one of the largest cinema screens in the Southern Hemisphere.
Village Cinemas Crown in Southbank joins the metropolitan venue network in 2026. The regional programme also takes selected films beyond Melbourne over two August weekends, so always check the venue printed on each ticket.
Pro tip: Save every venue address to your phone before a multi-film day and allow extra transfer time for Carlton, St Kilda and Southbank.
Where to Dine Between Screenings During MIFF 2026
Melbourne’s dining precincts make it easy to plan a meal, coffee or drink around your MIFF schedule.
- Flinders Lane: Just a short walk from ACMI, The Capitol and Forum Melbourne, Flinders Lane offers acclaimed restaurants, stylish cafés, hidden bars and quick premium dining options for tight screening intervals.
- Lygon Street, Carlton: Pair a session at Cinema Nova with classic Italian dining, woodfired pizza, gelato or a strong espresso in one of Melbourne’s best-known food precincts.
- Southbank Promenade: Enjoy Yarra River views alongside waterfront restaurants, cocktail bars and relaxed dining near Village Cinemas Crown.
- Richmond: Richmond’s mix of cafés, Vietnamese restaurants, modern eateries and neighbourhood pubs makes it a convenient choice for brunch or dinner, with straightforward public transport connections to central MIFF venues.
Elio’s Place
- Address: 1/238 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Thursday 8am–11pm; Friday–Saturday 8am–12:30am; Sunday 8am–11pm (Kitchen: Monday–Thursday, Sunday 8am–10pm; Friday–Saturday 8am–12am).
- Price range: $20–100 per person.
- Highlight dishes: Pasta, crispy potatoes, beef carpaccio, focaccia and miso butter, octopus.
Elio’s Place suits casual walk-ins, intimate dinner dates, and filmgoers needing flexible all-day dining options. The front bar caters perfectly to rapid pre-theatre drinks or espresso, while the rear dining room offers a slower, curated European bistro experience. Its biggest strength is timing flexibility, shifting easily from morning breakfast to its signature $55 festival express lunch and dinner menus.
Supernormal
- Address: 180 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 11:30am–12am (Kitchen: Monday–Thursday, Sunday 11:30am–10pm; Friday–Saturday 11:30am–11pm).
- Price range: $60–160 per person.
- Highlight dishes: New England lobster roll, twice-cooked duck bao, pot sticker dumplings, kingfish sashimi, smoked octopus.
Supernormal suits food enthusiasts, corporate lunch groups, and late-night festival attendees looking for a high-energy dining vibe. The expansive basement room centers around an open kitchen layout, dealing out fast-paced, highly accurate modern Asian fusion plates. Its biggest strength is operational speed, running an exceptionally efficient pre-theatre turnaround alongside a welcoming late-night walk-in culture.
Cumulus Inc.
- Address: 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 12pm–11pm.
- Price range: $60–160 per person.
- Highlight dishes: Slow-roasted lamb shoulder, tuna tartare with goat’s curd, Fremantle octopus, Sydney Rock oysters, wagyu bresaola.
Cumulus Inc. suits social diners, wine lovers, and industry professionals wanting premium Victorian produce in an upscale setting. Housed in a historic high-ceilinged rag-trade warehouse, the venue utilises a long open kitchen counter for visual, immediate service. Its biggest strength is grazing flexibility, accommodating patrons for a glass of wine and charcuterie or a full, structured multi-course chef’s banquet.
Apollo Inn
- Address: 165 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Thursday, Saturday–Sunday 5pm–1am; Friday 3pm–1am.
- Price range: $20–100 per person.
- Highlight dishes: Dirty martini, Sydney rock oysters, classic beef tartare, custom gildas.
Apollo Inn suits small groups, solo drinking enthusiasts, and evening festival crowds looking for a refined vintage escape. Inspired by classic mid-century European cocktail bars, the dark-timbered space cultivates an intimate, exclusive lounge atmosphere. Its biggest strength is midnight curation, serving top-tier boutique spirits, vintage liqueurs, and specialised MIFF post-screening cocktails late into the night.
Tiamo
- Address: 303 Lygon Street, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 12pm–9pm.
- Price range: $20–40 per person.
- Highlight dishes: Spaghetti marinara, fettuccine carbonara, tortellini tartufo, prosciutto pizza.
Tiamo suits families, casual theater-goers, and large groups looking for a noisy, welcoming Italian home-style atmosphere. Spanning outdoor sidewalk tables and a homey interior, the space has served generation after generation of Melbourne diners. Its biggest strength is generous comfort, churning out massive pasta portions and home-style blackboard specials at exceptionally fast speeds.
D.O.C. Osteria & Pizza Ristorante
- Address: 295 Drummond Street, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Wednesday 5pm–9:15pm; Thursday, Sunday 12pm–9:15pm; Friday–Saturday 12pm–10:15pm.
- Price range: $30–60 per person.
- Highlight dishes: Pizza DOC, pizza cotto e funghi, artisan mozzarella boards, lasagna.
D.O.C. suits authentic pizza purists, contemporary diners, and movie crowds seeking premium imported ingredients. The chic, minimalist space treats pizza making as a true culinary craft, putting a spotlight on certified San Marzano tomatoes and local artisan cheeses. Its biggest strength is product integrity, sourcing world-class ingredients to deliver lightning-fast, perfectly blistered woodfired pizzas.
Brunetti Classico
- Address: 380 Lygon Street, Carlton VIC 3053, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Thursday, Sunday 5am–10pm; Friday–Saturday 5am–11pm.
- Price range: $20–40 per person.
- Highlight dishes: Cannoli vaniglia, chocolate mousse pastries, lemon brûlée tarts, traditional Italian hot chocolate.
Brunetti Classico suits massive tour groups, late-night sweet tooths, and casual coffee drinkers needing an absolute visual feast. The giant Roman-style pasticceria floor features standalone counters dedicated to custom cakes, freshly spun gelati, paninis, and hot savory items. Its biggest strength is massive scale, providing a 400-seat drop-in capacity that readily accommodates late-night festival walks without a booking.
Yarra Botanica
- Address: Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Wednesday 12pm–10pm; Thursday 12pm–11pm; Friday 11:30am–1am; Saturday 11am–1am; Sunday 11am–11pm.
- Price range: $40–60 per person.
- Highlight dishes: Stoneground sourdough flatbreads, regional Victorian charcuterie, pickled local seafood, botanical gin cocktails.
Yarra Botanica suits sunny brunch dates, large social cocktail gatherings, and open-air riverside sightseers. Floating directly on the Yarra River as a massive two-level green pontoon oasis, it features unparalleled close-up views of the city skyline. Its biggest strength is localised provenance, offering an entirely Victorian-sourced beverage and snack menu built for swift digital table ordering.
Left Bank Melbourne
- Address: 1 Southbank Boulevard, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia
- Opening hours: Monday–Friday 7:30am–1am; Saturday–Sunday 8:30am–3am.
- Price range: $40–60 per person.
- Highlight dishes: Seafood spaghettini, artisan woodfired pizzas, slow-cooked pork belly, premium signature cocktail jugs.
Left Bank suits casual walk-ins, massive festival touring parties, and high-energy midnight cocktail seekers. The sleek, sprawling riverfront lounge features glass architecture and an extensive indoor-outdoor dining layout. Its biggest strength is round-the-clock availability, operating highly efficient QR table orders from early breakfast hours to the early morning.
Choose Your Best Place to Stay in Melbourne with L’Abode Accommodation
When choosing where to stay in Melbourne for MIFF, start with the venues on your itinerary. A CBD base offers easy access to ACMI, The Capitol, Forum Melbourne, Kino Cinema and Hoyts Melbourne Central. Carlton is a convenient choice for Cinema Nova and IMAX Melbourne, while Southbank suits screenings at Village Cinemas Crown. St Kilda is the best option for visitors attending sessions at The Astor Theatre.
L’Abode Accommodation offers a curated collection of furnished homes and apartments for travellers who want more space, comfort and convenience during their stay. L’Abode Accommodation’s Melbourne portfolio includes properties in Richmond, Brunswick, Prahran, West Melbourne and Port Melbourne.
Flexible Stays for Festival Visitors
L’Abode Accommodation’s short-term stays in Melbourne are well suited to city breaks, family visits, corporate travel and temporary accommodation. A private apartment or home gives guests room to relax between screenings and can be especially practical for couples, families and small industry teams.
Visitors staying in Melbourne for production work, meetings or a longer festival schedule can also consider mid-term accommodation. These furnished stays may suit filmmakers, creatives, project teams and relocating professionals who need a comfortable base for several weeks.
Corporate Accommodation for Film Professionals
MIFF attracts filmmakers, actors, producers, distributors and other screen-industry professionals from across Australia and overseas. L’Abode Accommodation’s executive leasing and corporate accommodation services support longer assignments and project-based stays in Melbourne and across Victoria.
Furnished living spaces, kitchens and work areas can make it easier for guests to manage screenings, interviews, press events and industry meetings. Travellers and production teams can review L’Abode Accommodation’s services or contact the team to discuss dates, group sise, preferred locations and stay requirements.
Property Management Support During Major Events
Major cultural events can create valuable booking opportunities for property owners, but strong performance still depends on effective pricing, professional presentation, guest communication, cleaning and ongoing property care. L’Abode Accommodation provides end-to-end management for premium furnished homes across Australia. For owners comparing Airbnb property management Melbourne or broader short-term management Australia services, L’Abode Accommodation can manage marketing, dynamic pricing, guest screening, support, housekeeping coordination and property care under an agreed management service.
The Melbourne International Film Festival 2026 is an opportunity to experience the city through cinema, architecture, dining and neighbourhood culture. Choose accommodation around your confirmed venues, allow realistic transfer times and book popular sessions early. A central apartment, a Carlton base, or a furnished extended stay can make an ambitious MIFF itinerary more comfortable and enjoyable.
FAQs about Melbourne International Film Festival
What Are the MIFF 2026 Dates?
The Melbourne International Film Festival runs from Thursday 6 August to Sunday 23 August 2026. Regional screenings are scheduled for 14–16 August and 21–23 August, while MIFF Online offers a separate selection of films for audiences across Australia.
Where Is the Best Place to Stay for MIFF 2026?
Melbourne CBD is the most convenient all-round base, providing easy access to several major MIFF venues. Carlton is ideal for Cinema Nova and IMAX Melbourne, while Southbank and St Kilda suit visitors attending sessions at Village Cinemas Crown or The Astor Theatre.
How Much Do MIFF Tickets Cost in 2026?
Ticket prices vary by film, venue and event type. MIFF also offers 3-, 6- and 12-admission passes, while gala screenings, premieres and special events may have separate pricing. Check the official MIFF ticket page before booking.
What Is the Bright Horizons Award 2026?
The Bright Horizons Award is MIFF’s competition for emerging and early-career filmmakers. The 2026 winning filmmaker receives a prise of A$140,000.
Does L’Abode Offer Extended or Corporate Stays in Melbourne?
Yes. L’Abode Accommodation offers short-term stays, mid-term furnished accommodation and executive or corporate leasing options in Melbourne. Availability depends on travel dates, group sise, preferred location and length of stay.