Now in its 27th year, the initiative led by the Pedestrian Council of Australia highlights the health, safety, transport and environmental benefits of walking or using active travel to get to and from school – not just on Walk Safely to School Day, but every day.

The day encourages positive environmental action, better use of public transport with reduced car-dependency, and encourages parents and carers to walk more, reducing dangerous traffic congestion around schools.

Research also shows children who are active before school are more focused, more productive and perform better in the classroom.

Pedestrian Council CEO Harold Scruby said walking builds lifelong habits while improving safety and wellbeing.

“Walking every day builds confidence, improves concentration and establishes healthy habits for life while making our roads safer and our air cleaner for everyone,” he said.

The day also encourages reduced car use, less congestion around schools and greater use of public and active transport.

“Until they are 10, children must always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road,” Mr Scruby said.

“The extremely concerning childhood obesity epidemic continues to affect 1 in 4 children across Australia,” he said.

Being active every day, including walking to school, can help make a difference for many Australians. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or carer, everyone has a role to play in helping children and young people to lead active, healthy lives.

“Children need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. Walking is the simplest way to achieve this – before school, during the day and afterwards,” he said.
www.walk.com.au/WSTS

Adapted from Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, this seductive, psychological thriller follows renowned author Verity Crawford (Anne Hathaway) and Lowen Ashleigh (Dakota Johnson), a struggling writer who relocates to the remote Crawford estate to ghostwrite for Verity.

After Lowen uncovers what appears to be Verity’s chilling autobiographical notes, she wrestles with the disturbing and twisted confessions about Verity’s husband Jeremy (Josh Hartnett), and finds it hard to separate fiction from reality, manipulation from attraction, and opportunity from obsession.

Starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Brady Wagner, Verity will be released in Aussie cinemas October 1!
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When psychiatrist Lilian Steiner suspects her patient’s “accident” was actually a murder, she trades her couch for a crime scene to uncover the truth. It’s the perfect way to wrap up your weekend with high-stakes mystery.

In French language with English subtitles.

Film Opens Thursday, 14 May.

A PRIVATE LIFE – Sunday Session Preview this Mother’s Day
Sunday, May 10 2026 @ 3:00pm
Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo | Dendy Cinemas Portside
www.dendy.com.au

“Clayface” unravels one man’s horrifying descent from rising Hollywood star to revenge-filled monster in a story that explores the loss of one’s identity and humanity, corrosive love, and the dark underbelly of scientific ambition.

The film also stars Naomi Ackie, David Dencik, Max Minghella and Eddie Marsan, as well as Nancy Carroll and Joshua James.

James Watkins directs from a screenplay by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini, story by Flanagan, based on characters from DC. The film is produced by Matt Reeves, Lynn Harris, James Gunn and Peter Safran, with Michael E. Uslan, Rafi Crohn, Paul Ritchie, Chantal Nong Vo and Lars P. Winther executive producing.

Watkins’ creative team includes director of photography Rob Hardy, production designer James Price, editor Jon Harris, visual effects supervisor Angus Bickerton, costume designer Keith Madden, and casting director Lucy Bevan.

DC Studios Presents, in association with Domain Entertainment, a 6th & Idaho Production, a James Watkins Film, “Clayface.” The film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures and released only in cinemas 22 October 2026.
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Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, Practical Magic 2 returns to a world steeped in moonlit mischief and powerful ancestral magic, as the Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all in a must-see cinematic event of fun, magic and mayhem.

Practical Magic 2 will be released in Aussie cinemas September 10!
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Scott tells the story of Hig, a young pilot who, together with a military survivalist, Bangley, has carved out an efficient but isolated homestead in a brutal post-apocalyptic world until a mysterious radio transmission spurs Hig to venture into the unknown in search of the hope and humanity he still believes exists.

Based on Peter Heller’s captivating bestseller, “The Dog Stars” features a critically acclaimed ensemble, including Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Margaret Qualley, Guy Pearce, Benedict Wong and Allison Janney. The film is written by Mark L. Smith and produced by Ridley Scott, Michael Pruss, Mark L. Smith, and Cliff Roberts.

“The Dog Stars” debuts exclusively in cinemas August 27.
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As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.

Directed by Jon Favreau, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” is written by Jon Favreau & Dave Filoni & Noah Kloor, and is produced by Jon Favreau, p.g.a., Kathleen Kennedy, p.g.a., Dave Filoni, p.g.a., and Ian Bryce, p.g.a., with Karen Gilchrist, John Bartnicki, and Carrie Beck serving as executive producers. The music is composed by Ludwig Göransson.

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu will be released in Aussie cinemas May 21!
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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 desire of the filmmakers to keep the musical element of the legend intact and to keep the unsavoury elements of the story so far from the viewers’ minds as to be non-existent is complete. Even the patriarch of the Jackson clan, Joe, is given a relatively smooth ride. This, unfortunately, reduces the story to a one-dimensional misreading of the facts.

That Michael could overcome such a harsh upbringing (for such a sensitive soul) and create the joy that he brought to millions is strongly understated. He did do amazing things and, for a short period of time, was a unifying entity on the world’s stage. Behind the scenes, he also showed a high degree of empathy, but his power and wealth were also used to weaponise his awful intent.

The film is bright (with oversaturated colours and a very loud soundtrack) and touches on storylines very familiar to even the casual observer, but it never treats him more than an uncomfortable entertainer. His ability to create pure joy is sold as a brand. By focusing mostly on the positive, Michael brings the bright lights to a story that deserves more. A life with complexity is reduced to a simple ideology: no mater what, the show must go on.
Rob Hudson
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The 2026 HSBC Spanish & Latin American Film Festival has today revealed a first tantalising taste of its 29th edition, including an award-winning drama, a rom-com starring one of the most well-known Latin American actors, a historical epic, salsa documentary, and more.

Set against the backdrop of a corporate crisis, NOTHING BETWEEN US (Nada entre los dos) is an intimate and charming love story starring Gael García Bernal and Natalia Oreiro, from Argentina and Uruguay. In the first time the two popular actors have appeared on screen together, they star as colleagues on conference at a beach resort in Mexico faced with the fragile balance between personal freedom and social expectations.

The Festival Centrepiece is the highly awarded Spanish box office hit SUNDAYS (Los domingos), from writer/director Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, which won the Golden Shell (Best Film) at the 2025 San Sebastián Film Festival, in addition to five Goya Awards and five Feroz Awards. The quietly spellbinding drama explores a family in crisis after their 17-year-old daughter defies expectations and declares that she is choosing the life of a cloistered nun.

From award-winning director Alejandro Amenábar, comes the epic historical adventure THE CAPTIVE (El cautivo), the Festival Special Presentation. The ambitious and thrilling drama starring Julio Peña (Through My Window) and Alessandro Borghi (The Eight Mountains) follows a young Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, who finds an unexpected refuge in the art of storytelling while imprisoned in 16th Century Algiers.

LA SALSA VIVE is a vivid documentary, from Colombia and the USA via Havana, that tells the story of two cities bound by the rhythm of salsa. From New York City, where the genre was born in the 1970s, to Cali, Colombia, the self-proclaimed “world capital of salsa” where it thrives with unmatched passion. The evolution of the genre is an illuminating journey of cultural heritage, music and dance, much like the global 1990s hit The Buena Vista Social Club.

Brazilian film ISABEL, direct from the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, is an intoxicating drama imbued with wine. It follows talented sommelier Isabel (Marina Person, who also co-wrote the script) in São Paulo’s fine-dining scene who dreams of opening her own wine bar away from her controlling boss. However, she must balance following her passion with the realities of opening a business.

In a feel-good origins tale inspired by true events, ANOTHER LEAGUE (Pioneras: solo querían jugar) tells the story of a group of girls in the early 1970s who decide to play football in a country that does not see a place for them in the sport. Through the many challenges they face, they meet an ambitious promotor who is determined to change the story of women’s football in Spain.

For families and schools, there is the charming family comedy and Spanish box office hit MY AMAZING GRANDMA (Abuela Tremenda). Contrasting overprotective parents with the wild and carefree energy of a mischievous grandmother, three generations of women experience hilarious disasters at a rural farm. And fun is guaranteed in BEAR CLAW CAMP (Campamento Garra de Oso) in which two nine-year-olds race against time to save their summer camp, combining live action and animation for an exciting adventure about the power of friendship and teamwork.

The 2026 HSBC Spanish & Latin American Film Festival takes place nationally from 10 June to 12 July (dates vary) in Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Byron Bay and Ballina. The full programme will be announced, and tickets go on sale in mid-May at spanishfilmfestival.com.

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