When the world feels increasingly disconnected, disillusioned, and disenfranchised
@mdffest asks: how do we find our way back to the light after trauma or transformation?
Through explorations of love, friendship, and resilience, this year’s festival spotlights the unexpected connections that continue to bind us.
Featuring stories of indigenous missions, the history of queer criminalisation, musical acts of defiance, and much more, including a retrospective of Wim Wenders MDFF 2026 is an intimate and expansive celebration of human connection, renewal, and hope.
MDFF screens July 7—19 at Nova. Tickets on sale now at link in bio.
🎬 You’re invited to a special screening of THE MARBLES.
Directed by David Wilkinson, The Marbles explores the story behind the removal of sculptures from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin, and the global campaign led by Melina Mercouri that reshaped the international conversation on cultural heritage and restitution.
SCREENING
📅 12 July 2026
🕡 6:50 PM
📍 Cinema Nova
Presented by Guerilla Docs in association with AHEPA Victoria.
🎟 Tickets & details:
.au/films/mdff26-the-marbles
History. Cinema. Conversation.
Join us at MDFF26.
#documentary #documentaryfilm #docfilm #filmfestival #melbournefilm melbourneevents cinema filmcommunity indiefilm history arthistory parthenon parthenonmarbles greece culturalheritage restitution filmlover cinephile cinemanova mdff mdff26
🎉 That’s a wrap on MDFF 2025! 🎬
A heartfelt congratulations to all our amazing winners across features, shorts, direction, and innovation. Your stories moved us, inspired us, and sparked conversations that matter.
Some highlights from this year’s awards:
🏆 Supreme Jury Prize – Feature: Lifeblood
🏆 Supreme Jury Prize – Short: Chasing Roo
🌎 Global Vision Award: Teddy Groya
🎥 Best Director – International: Ignacio Walker & Denis Arqueros (Her Shark Story)
🎥 Best Director – Australia: Stella Broun & Lisa Thomas (Lifeblood)
🎶 Best Music Doc: Goddess of Slide
💡 Best Emerging Director: Samuel Kostevc (Love in the Walls)
🎤 Audience Choice – Feature: Bonegilla
🌿 Best Environmental Doc: The New Peasants
🔥 Wild Card: Jill Hickson (Palestinians Don’t Need Sidewalks)
📚 Book Pitch Winner: Tiny Solutions to a Big Problem – Danielle Lester
🙌 Huge thanks to our venues, especially those who welcomed us with open arms and helped make these screenings unforgettable.
💛 To our tireless volunteers – your generosity, energy, and dedication are the beating heart of this festival. We couldn’t do it without you.
🤝 And to the film collectives, production crews, and grassroots networks supporting bold, independent voices – your work uplifts us all.
Here’s to another year of powerful storytelling and documentary courage. See you in 2026!
#MDFF2025 #DocumentaryFilm #MelbourneFilmFestival #FilmFestivalCommunity #ThankYouVolunteers #IndieFilmSupport #DocuLove #GlobalDocs #WomenInFilm #ImpactDocs #melbourneevents
Melbourne, let’s make this one unforgettable. 40 Years of Fuckin’ Up has officially been selected for the Melbourne Documentary Film Festival.
July 10
Cinema Nova
6:30 PM
What started as a documentary somehow turned into something bigger in theatres. Every screening feels like one last NOFX show. Loud crowds, old stories, chaos, laughter, and people who grew up with this band all packed into one room.
Tickets:
cinemanova.com.au
🎵✨ FIRST WAVE MUSIC SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED!
From Rock, Rockabilly, Punk, Country, 80’s Pop, Bangladeshi Hip Hop, Musicals & Soul 🎸🎤🌍
📅 7–19 July 2026
📍 Melbourne 🇦🇺
Cinema Nova – Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
A bold celebration of music, culture, rhythm, and storytelling from around the world 🎶🔥
🎧 Featuring sounds and stories across generations and genres:
Rock • Rockabilly • Punk • Country • 80’s Pop • Bangladeshi Hip Hop • Musicals • Soul
🔥 More lineup details coming soon
#MDFF2026 #Music #MusicDocumentary #FilmFestival #Rock Punk Soul HipHop 🎶
🎬✨ FIRST WAVE SELECTIONS ANNOUNCED — SELLING FAST
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
📅 7–19 July 2026 🇦🇺
🎟️ Limited tickets — selling fast
🔗 .au/events/melbourne-documentary-film-festival
#MDFF2026 #Documentary #FilmFestival
🎬✨ FIRST AUSTRALIAN STORIES ANNOUNCED!
Melbourne Documentary Film Festival
📅 7–19 July 2026
📍 Melbourne 🇦🇺
Powerful first wave of Australian documentary voices 🌏🎥
Real stories. Real impact.
🔥 More lineup announcements soon
#MDFF2026 #AustralianStories #Documentary #FilmFestival 🎞️
Sure was fun warming up for @visionsplendidfilmfest@mdffest Film Festivals where we’ll be playing live at the screenings of That Half Barbaric Twang !!!!
Melbourne friends stand by for a date, which will be in mid July. Meanwhile look out, because we’re coming to Winton, the edge of the desert to help celebrate Australian film culture with our humble contribution. @stephenmdupont@timbo305@thathalfbarbaric@flarkeysmate@geoffmorrellartist
Pleased to announce that a film I directed & edited about @davidbirdmcbride in 2022 in collaboration with @b.ling_film (DOP), @booo_urns (company co-founder), @noeledgez (executive producer) is part of MELBOURNE DOCUMENTANTARY FILM FESTIVAL this year.
This goes to show that truth always finds a way. Currently McBride is unjustly serving a prison sentence for exposing war crimes committed in Afghanistan by Australian Special Forces. We are hoping to spread awareness and advocate for whistleblower protection laws. During my meeting with David before we started shooting, we bonded over our love for Al Pacino's 1973 film Serpico about an honest cop who blew the whistle on the rampant corruption in the New York Police Department that almost cost him his life. This was based on a true story. We need to champion people like McBride so we too can be inspired to speak up if we see injustices and not be afraid of being bullied, threatened or coerced or be thrown in jail or WORSE
Blocked, banned, removed.
Tattoo artists, breast cancer survivors, trans and gender diverse people, sex workers and artists, all facing similar repercussions.
Meet Michelle Kometz, a contemporary artist whose artwork confronts the censorship of the female nipple through interactive installations and social media.
Screening at Melbourne Documentary Film Festival (@mdffest ) in their Out Laws + Queer Shorts session. Sunday 12th July, Tickets in IG bio.
Featuring: @urbannipple / Michelle Kometz @mishale_ko
DOP: @spinnyricc
#freethenipple #filmfestival #documentary #womensrights #transrights
THE FLY’S FILM DEBUT IS FINALLY HERE! The short film by @guywilkinsonfilms on HUMAN FLY Magazine will be screened on opening night at the @mdffest . This was an incredible experience and a huge labour of love from Guy, we are very happy with the outcome and psyched about being featured in this year’s Doco film festival. Check the link in bio to get yourself tickets and come watch this amazing short film about your favourite Rock n Roll mag…
July 7th at @cinemanova be there or be square, don’t miss the Human Fly on the big screen for the first time 🎸🎸🤞🤞
Film by @guywilkinsonfilms
(Poster designed by The Human Fly 🪰)
#rocknroll #melbournemusic #melbourne #mdffest #humanfly
