It starts with two mysterious people in a car talking about astrology, who soon spot a lone pedestrian walking down the street and run him down. It’s out of character violence is never to return, and the sense of urgent provocation is replaced by a sense of mystery as to what the collective tissue is that binds these divergent people together.

This Spanish film is a co-production between Uruguay, Argentina and Spain and is a work that is sprinkled with elements of those countries’ populist culture. These norms seem foreign to a Western audience and create a desire to look up a number of reverence points at the movie’s end to flesh out the experience. You are also rewarded with an ending that answers a lot while still leaving much to contemplate.

You can catch this wonderful work during the screenings that make up the 2026 HSBC Spanish & Latin American Film Festival.

2026 HSBC Spanish & Latin American Film Festival
Canberra 10 June – 5 July: Palace Electric Cinema
Adelaide 10 June – 5 July: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Brisbane 11 June – 5 July: Palace James Street and Palace Barracks
Perth 11 June – 1 July: Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX
Melbourne 12 June – 5 July: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Church St,
Palace Penny Lane, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema
Ballarat 12 June – 5 July: Palace Regent Cinema
Sydney 18 June – 12 July: Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park and Palace Central
Byron Bay/Ballina 18 June – 12 July: Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
www.spanishfilmfestival.com

Join us after sundown on Saturday, 20 June – the longest night of the year – for BITE NIGHT, a celebration of classic vampire cinema.

Once the sun sets and it’s safe to head out, sink your teeth into the ultimate nocturnal movie marathon.

Dust off your capes for a screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA (1992), starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves and Monica Bellucci and THE LOST BOYS (1987), starring Jason Patric, Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Dianne Wiest and a killer soundtrack.

The Annual Bite Night – Vampire Retro Screenings
Saturday, June 20th from Sundown (5:15pm)
Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo
www.coorparoo.dendy.com.au

Following sell-out performances across Australia, this internationally acclaimed production features an elite ensemble of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and balancing artists, delivering a thrilling fusion of physical artistry, theatrical storytelling and modern stagecraft.

At the heart of the show is a charismatic and quirky ringmaster confronting a universal theme: change. Blending humour, heart and breathtaking skill, Cirque Nouvelle explores the evolution of circus—from the nostalgic wonder of the traditional Big Top to the bold, technology-driven spectacles of today.

Audiences are taken on a visually rich and emotionally engaging journey that honours circus traditions while reimagining what the future of the art form can be. Perfect for families these school holidays, Cirque Nouvelle promises to captivate audiences of all ages with its blend of daring feats, storytelling and theatrical magic.

Brisbane
Fortitude Music Hall, June 26 @ 6pm
www.thefortitude.com.au

Gold Coast
The Star Theatre, June 27 @ 6pm
www.star.com.au

As a stage play in 2026, it still works as it sets out on a humble path, just to entertain. It steers way clear of any overt political statement and instead focuses solely on the trials and tribulations of a group of Southern gals. There is a tragic element to the story, but it happens mostly off-stage and adds more colour to the story, which becomes the central theme. In this way, it keeps the activities from becoming too dark or less appealing.

Into the environment of the modern audience, it has a humble plan to provide just pure entertainment, and in these troubled times, that is more than welcome. The outstanding cast get the nuances just right, and as each character becomes defined, they flesh them out with appealing human traits. It’s also great to see an all-female cast riff off each other with such ease and grace. The inherent humour in the writing comes across with a gentle approach that feels unforced and natural. This makes it more than relatable.

The play is directed by Lee Lewis with a screenplay by original writer Robert Harling and stars a cast led by Lisa McCune. The cast also features Belinda Giblin, Debra Lawrance, Mandy Bishop, Jessica Redmayne and Lotte Beckett. The play’s limited Brisbane run will finish on Sunday, May 10th.
Rob Hudson

Steel Magnolias
Brisbane – 30 April – 10 May 2026, Playhouse Theatre QPAC
Sydney – 13-30 May 2026, Theatre Royal
Wollongong – 3-11 June 2026, IMB Theatre IPAC
Canberra – 17-21 June 2026, Canberra Theatre
Perth – 7-18 July 2026, His Majesty’s Theatre
Melbourne – 23 July – 9 August 2026, Athenaeum Theatre
www.steelmagnoliasplay.com/

Grab your backstage pass into these five titles from the highly anticipated MICHAEL, to a step back in time with music royalty including POWER TO THE PEOPLE: JOHN & YOKO LIVE IN NYC and IT’S NEVER OVER, JEFF BUCKLY.

Rock out to IRON MAIDEN: BURNING AMBITION and finish up with Academy Award® winners James Cameron and Billie Eilish in the concert film BILLIE EILISH – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR LIVE including a one-off 3D screening.

Dendy Cinemas SETLIST
22 April – 7 May 2026
Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo and Dendy Cinemas Portside
www.dendy.com.au

The HSBC German Film Festival returns to Brisbane from May 6 to 27 at Palace Cinemas, showcasing the very best in contemporary German language cinema.

The 2026 programme features a dynamic selection of films from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, including acclaimed titles from major international festivals such as Berlinale and Cannes. From compelling dramas and thought provoking stories to lighter comedies and crowd pleasers, the festival offers a rich and diverse cultural experience.

Opening Night and Closing Night events will once again provide a celebratory cinema experience, alongside a curated programme that highlights the breadth of storytelling across the German speaking world, including a dedicated spotlight on Austrian and Swiss cinema.

Whether you are a lover of film, language or European culture, the HSBC German Film Festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience contemporary cinema from this vibrant region.

The 2026 HSBC German Film Festival takes place from 6 May – 27 May
Canberra: 6 – 27 May, Palace Electric
Brisbane: 6 – 27 May, Palace James St, Palace Barracks
Adelaide: 6 – 27 May, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 7 – 27 May, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX & Palace Raine Square Sydney: 7 – 27 May, Palace Norton Street, Palace Central, Palace Moore Park Byron Bay and Ballina: 7 – 27 May, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
Melbourne: 8 – 27 May, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Church St, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, The Astor Theatre, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Penny Lane
Ballarat: 8 – 27 May, Palace Regent Ballarat
www.germanfilmfestival.com.au

To enter this great competition, just fill out the entry form below!

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Competition will be drawn May 5, winners will be notified by email.

Across four action-packed days, the Fair features live painting demonstrations, an Emerging Artists showcase, and a Children’s Art Studio with free face painting for budding young creatives.

Whether you’re a long-time collector or simply art-curious, it’s the perfect way to discover something you love, connect with artists and galleries, and soak up the creative buzz of Brisbane’s biggest art event.

Affordable Art Fair
Thursday 7 May – Sunday 10 May 2026
Exhibition Building, Brisbane Showgrounds
www.affordableartfair.com

Based on the incredible true story of writer Tony Briggs’ mother, The Sapphires follows four Yorta Yorta women who blaze a trail from regional Victoria to the frontlines of Vietnam — entertaining American soldiers, breaking barriers and discovering love along the way.

Featuring ’60s soul classics performed live including Respect, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and The Shoop Shoop Song (It’s in His Kiss), this joyous production transforms the intimate Bille Brown Theatre into an electrifying concert-style celebration — up close, personal and impossible to resist.

For more than 25 years, the multi-award-winning play — and the hit film it inspired — have captivated audiences around the world. At its heart, The Sapphires is a proud story of First Nations women whose talent, humour and resilience lit up a remarkable moment in Australian history — a story that, for many years, remained largely untold.

Now the beloved musical returns in a sparkling new production, with the next generation of First Nations performers stepping into the legacy of the women who inspired the story, led by original director and theatre legend Wesley Enoch.

Big-hearted, infectious and full of soul, this celebration of sisterhood, culture and unforgettable music builds to a roof-raising finale — and promises the feel-good musical night out you’ll love from the very first note.

The Sapphires
28 April – 24 May 2026
Bille Brown Theatre, Brisbane
www,ueenslandtheatre.com.au

This dazzling production, by the Tony Award-winning team Terrence McNally, Stephen Flaherty, Lynn Ahrens and Darko Tresnjak, transports you from the twilight years of the Imperial rule to the euphoria of 1920s Paris. ANASTASIA follows a brave young woman on a journey to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat. Together, they embark on an epic adventure to help her find home, love, and family.

Rising star Georgina Hopson leads the cast as Anya, alongside international stage sensation Robert Tripolino as Dmitry. They are joined by Joshua Robson as Gleb, Rodney Dobson as Vlad, showbiz legend Rhonda Burchmore as Countess Lily, and Australian theatre royalty Nancye Hayes AM as the Dowager Empress.

With much-loved songs like “Journey to the Past” and “Once Upon a December”, ANASTASIA has captivated audiences around the world – hailed as “A MONSTER HIT!” by The New York Times and “Irresistible!” by Variety.

ANASTASIA the Musical
From 16 Sep 2026
Lyric Theatre, Brisbane
www.qpac.com.au

Written by Robert Harling, the timeless tale of Steel Magnolias comes alive under the direction of Lee Lewis featuring an extraordinary ensemble led by Lisa McCune (Blue Heelers, Sea Petrol, The 39 Steps), Belinda Giblin (Home & Away, Amadeus, Doubt), Debra Lawrance (Home & Away, Harry Potter and The Cursed Child AU and UK, A Christmas Carol), Mandy Bishop (Wharf Revue, Blue Heelers), Jessica Redmayne (Home & Away, 800 Words, The Great Gatsby) and Lotte Beckett (Julia, The Election Monologues).

Step inside Truvy’s beauty salon, the heart of a small Southern town, where local women share their joys, struggles and a little neighbourly gossip. From weddings and babies to divorces and funerals, they face life’s highs and lows with humour, courage and impeccably styled hair. When tragedy strikes, it’s in these familiar walls that they find comfort, support and the unbreakable bonds of friendship that carry them through.

Bursting with sass, warmth and Southern charm, Steel Magnolias delivers laughter, love and unforgettable heart.

Steel Magnolias
30 April – 10 May 2026
Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane
www.qpac.com.au