STEEL MAGNOLIAS will tour to QPAC, Brisbane from April 2026, Theatre Royal Sydney in May 2026, Wollongong and Canberra in June 2026, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth in July 2026 and Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre from July 2026.

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.

“Following our recent tours of The Woman in Black, Shirley Valentine and The 39 Steps, we’re thrilled to bring STEEL MAGNOLIAS to Australian audiences,” said producers Neil Gooding and Alex Woodward. “The fierce, funny and resilient friendships in the story have always inspired us. It’s a privilege to work with Lee Lewis again, whose direction of Shirley Valentine we so admired, and to bring the heart, humour and spirit of STEEL MAGNOLIAS to the stage with a stellar ensemble of Australia’s most exceptional talent.”

STEEL MAGNOLIAS originally opened in Australia at the York Theatre at Sydney’s Seymour Centre in May 1988 and toured to Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre, featuring a cast which included Maggie Dence, Nancye Hayes, Melissa Jaffer, Genevieve Lemon, Pat McDonald and Nicole Kidman making her professional stage debut. The 2026 Australian tour cast will be announced in coming months.

Bursting with sass, warmth and Southern charm, STEEL MAGNOLIAS delivers laughter, love and unforgettable heart.
www.steelmagnoliasplay.com.au

BRISBANE
Playhouse Theatre, QPAC
30 April – 10 May 2026
www.qpac.com.au

SYDNEY
Theatre Royal Sydney
13 – 31 May 2026
www.theatreroyalsydney.com

WOLLONGONG
Illawarra Performing Arts Centre
3 – 11 June 2026
www. merrigong.com.au

CANBERRA
Canberra Theatre Centre
17 – 21 June 2026
www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au

PERTH
His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth
7 – 18 July 2026
www.artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au

MELBOURNE
Athenaeum Theatre
23 July – 9 August 2026
www.ticketmaster.com.au

Game Worlds is here! Explore major titles like Minecraft, Final Fantasy XIV Online, The Elder Scrolls Online, SimCity, and Stardew Valley, joining iconic titles including World of Warcraft, The Sims, Neopets and the highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Spanning over 50 years of play, Game Worlds features more than 30 videogames from the 1970s to today, with 44 playable moments, original builds, rare design materials and hands-on prototypes you won’t find anywhere else.

Discover four new microgames made exclusively for ACMI by Australian developers – from nostalgic dial-ins to playful perspective shifts.

Don’t miss limited-edition Game Worlds merchandise, available only at ACMI, featuring collectibles from Neopets, Hollow Knight: Silksong and The Sims, along with ACMI-produced books delving into The Sims and Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Game Worlds
On until Sun 8 Feb 2026
ACMI, Fed Square, Melbourne
www.acmi.net.au

The 2025 Russell Hobbs British Film Festival, presented by Palace, will land in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Ballarat, Byron Bay and Ballina this November with a spectacular line up of exquisite dramas, fascinating documentaries, much-loved retrospectives, comedies and more at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova and Luna Palace Cinemas.

The festival Centrepiece is the highly anticipated drama ANEMONE starring Daniel Day- Lewis, Sean Bean and Samantha Morton, in the directorial debut from Ronan Day-Lewis. In a script co-written by Daniel Day-Lewis and son Ronan, the film explores the complex and profound ties that exist between brothers, fathers, and sons. The explosive drama is Day- Lewis’ first film in eight years in which he portrays a former British soldier who lives in the remote woods who must confront his past.

In icy suspense thriller THE DEAD OF WINTER, Emma Thompson plays Barb, a woman travelling alone through snowbound northern Minnesota. Barb interrupts the kidnapping of a teenage girl, and hours from the nearest town and with no phone service, she realises that she is the young girl’s only hope.

MOSS & FREUD is the biopic about the life of era-defining supermodel Kate Moss and her relationship with the acclaimed British artist Lucian Freud, starring Ellie Bamber and Derek Jacobi as Freud. When Freud offered to paint Moss nude during the nine months of her pregnancy in 2002, it prompted her to embark on an intense journey of self-discovery.

At the age of eighty-five, the inimitable John Cleese sets off on what might be his final European tour in JOHN CLEESE PACKS IT IN. Covering five countries, sixteen cities, twenty-three shows, and retaining just two original body parts, John Cleese Packs It In is a wry, behind-the-scenes portrait of a comedy legend on the road, battling various ailments, chaotic travel, and his own stubborn refusal to stop.

Scenic drama THE NORTH is an adventurous tale of two old friends who embark on a 600- kilometre journey through the Scottish Highlands. They seek to reconnect not only with nature but with each other and the parts of themselves they lost.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival opens on Wednesday 5 November in Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat, Adelaide, Perth, Byron Bay, Canberra and Brisbane, concluding on Sunday 7 December in all cities.

The full programme to be announced and tickets on sale in mid-October.

The Russell Hobbs British Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Melbourne: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, Palace Church St
Ballarat: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Regent Ballarat
Canberra: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Electric Cinemas
Brisbane: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Adelaide: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Perth: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Raine Square, Luna on SX, Leederville and Windsor
Byron Bay: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
Sydney: 5 Nov – 7 Dec, Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Chauvel Cinema, Palace Central
www.britishfilmfestival.com.au

Beginning their careers in the 1970s working in different countries and cultural contexts, British-born Vivienne Westwood (1941–2022), and Japanese designer Rei Kawakubo (b.1942), introduced a rule-breaking radicalism to fashion by subverting the status quo. As self-taught, independent practitioners, Westwood and Kawakubo’s affinity lies in their uncompromising originality anchored in a desire for personal freedom, autonomy, and social and aesthetic change. Their unorthodox approaches have similarly questioned conventions of taste, gender and beauty, the body, and garment form and function to change how we think about fashion.

Bringing together works from the NGV Collection with selected important loans from international museums and private collections, the exhibition highlights key collections and concerns, showcasing over 140 designs that explore the convergences and divergences between the two designers’ work. Structuring themes include Punk and Provocation, Rupture, Reinvention and The Body and The Power of Clothes, each considering different ways in which Westwood and Kawakubo have rewritten fashion convention over the course of their careers.

Westwood | Kawakubo Exhibition
7 December 2025 – 19 April 2026
NGV International – Melbourne
www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Presented by Palace, the 2025 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival’s annual Spring escape to Italy is one step closer with the announcement of the full programme. From 17 September for four weeks, a bellissimo selection of box office hits and award-winning films will dazzle screens in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, Ballarat, Byron Bay and Ballina. Returning as Festival Ambassador is the multi-talented Italian-born chef, TV presenter and host Silvia Colloca, who will be opening the festival in Sydney and for the first time in Brisbane.

The festival opens with Paolo Genovese’s record-breaking hit SOMEBODY TO LOVE (FolleMente), a romantic comedy with an all-star cast including Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati and Vittoria Puccini. Following the global success of Perfect Strangers (IFF 16), writer/director Genovese’s latest film reveals the innermost thoughts and uncertainties of a modern Italian couple on their awkward first date.

Following its World Premiere at the Opening Night of the 2025 Venice International Film Festival later this month, Oscar winner Paolo Sorrentino’s latest film LA GRAZIA is this year’s Festival Centrepiece. The highly anticipated drama stars Toni Servillo, Anna Ferzetti and Massimo Venturiello.

This year, the festival showcases migrant stories from two different sides of the globe with SIGNORINELLA: LITTLE MISS (from the team behind LYGON ST – Si Parla Italiano) and NAPOLI – NEW YORK. Celebrating the tenacity and spirit of Italian women who helped shape the Italian-Australian community, SIGNORINELLA: LITTLE MISS, narrated by Greta Scacchi, profiles their incredible life stories. NAPOLI – NEW YORK, from Academy Award-winner Gabriele Salvatores, is based on an original screenplay by Frederico Fellini and Tullio Pinelli. Featuring festival favourite Pierfrancesco Favino and a stellar cast, it is a compelling and hopeful account of the migrant experience, the search for identity and pursuit of a better life that follows two Neapolitan children as they journey from Naples to New York in 1949.

Closing the festival and celebrating its 25th anniversary this year is the Australian coming-of-age classic LOOKING FOR ALIBRANDI starring Pia Miranda, Greta Scacchi and Kick Gurry. Audiences new and old can delight in the stunning 4K restoration of the much-loved film whose themes still resonate over two and half decades later.

The Festival Special Presentation is the critically acclaimed, 2024 Venice Film Festival Grand Jury prize winner THE MOUNTAIN BRIDE – VERMIGLIO (Vermiglio). Maura Delpero’s atmospheric, visually breathtaking film portrays a family caught between tradition and modernity in the final year of WWII.

From acclaimed filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek comes the stunning, female led drama DIAMONDS (Diamanti). An ode to the beautiful craftsmanship of film costume designers and seamstresses, Luisa Ranieri and Jasmine Trinca star as sisters running a couture costume design house in 1970s Rome.

Elio Germano delivers standout performances in dramas SICILIAN LETTERS (Iddu) and THE GREAT AMBITION (Berlinguer. La grande ambizione). Toni Servillo joins Germano in a story of dangerous liaisons set in early 2000s Sicily in SICILIAN LETTERS, during Cosa Nostra boss Matteo Messina Denaro’s three decades as a fugitive from Italian justice. In the meticulous biopic THE GREAT AMBITION Germano transforms into Enrico Berlinguer, the former leader of the Italian Communist Party between 1973 and 1978. His performance won him Best Actor at the David di Donatello Awards.

A box office sensation in Italy, moving drama THE BOY WITH PINK TROUSERS (Il ragazzo dai pantaloni rosa) features rising star Samuele Carrino in a powerful performance. Exploring the real story behind Italy’s first publicised case of online bullying, the film garnered much attention in Italy and sparked important discussions about the issue.

From acclaimed writer/director Mario Martone comes FUORI, an elegant biopic drama that follows a decisive event in the life of renowned Italian feminist writer Goliarda Sapienza. A brilliant Valeria Golino stars as Sapienza in an inspiring story of friendship, female solidarity and freedom in the early 1980s. And in thoughtful drama MY PLACE IS HERE (Il mio posto è qui), set during the aftermath of WWII in a rural village in southern Italy, a single mother befriends the local wedding planner and begins to understand her rights as a woman. The film stars Ludovica Martino and Marco Leonardi (Cinema Paradiso) and is based on the eponymous novel by Daniela Porto.

The common thread of family focused stories is at the heart of several films in this year’s lineup including THE LIFE APART (La vita accanto), an enthralling and music-imbued drama set in beautiful Italian art city Vicenza that follows a wealthy family whose daughter must contend with profound rejection due to her appearance; in VITTORIA, a hairdresser from Naples with three loving sons and a devoted husband risks everything to pursue her dream of having a daughter, in a deeply moving drama based on true events; Ivano de Matteo’s compelling drama MY DAUGHTER (Una Figlia) stars Stefano Accorsi as a widowed father whose 16-year-old commits a serious crime, testing his ability to forgive; personal tale THE TIME IT TAKES (Il tempo che ci vuole) from filmmaker Francesca Comencini pays homage to her father Luigi Comencini and their connection with cinema; the debut feature from director and writer Sara Fgaier, WEIGHTLESS (Sulla terra leggeri) delivers a sensitive drama about the power of memory, love and how to fi

Hotly anticipated Italian comedies include popular comic duo Ficarra & Picone and festival favourite Toni Servillo in THE ILLUSION (L’Abbaglio), a fun re-imagining of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s 1860 campaign that unified Italy; the adventures of the Rovelli family continue in WHEN MUM IS AWAY…WITH THE IN-LAWS (10 Giorni con I suoi) with a trip to Puglia in the hit comedy directed by Alessandro Genovesi and starring Fabio De Luigi and Valentina Lodovini; and set in 1980s-1990s Italy, DIVA FUTURA is an entertaining reimagining of Riccardo Schicchi’s agency Diva Futura that revolutionised mass culture by turning free love into porn, making stars of Ilona Staller (Cicciolina), Moana Pozzi and others in an intoxicating story of private and widespread desire.

The story of fashion icon Gianni Versace, from his youth in Reggio Calabria in the 1960s to his rise in the world of fashion design is explored in GIANNI VERSACE – EMPEROR OF DREAMS (Gianni Versace: L’Imperatore dei sogni). The witty biopic from director Mimmo Calopresti intertwines fiction and documentary, reconstructing the world, life and creativity of the famous designer. In HOLD TIGHT, MISSY! ISABELLA DUCROT UNLIMITED (Tenga Duro Signorina! Isabella Ducrot Unlimited) 90-year-old artist Isabella Ducrot is followed for two years as her incredible story of her rise as an artist unfurls. Ducrot is sought after by leading galleries the world over after devoting herself to art at the age of 55.

In historical drama BATTLEGROUND (Campo di Battaglia) a powerful story of courage and compassion emerges when two military doctors, who work at a clinic in Northern Italy in the final year of WWI, must face the devastating Spanish flu as it strikes the city. Inspired by true events that remain powerfully resonant 20 years on, dramatic thriller THE NEGOTIATOR (Il Nibbio) stars Claudio Santamaria as Nicola Calipari, deputy director of operations of the Italian secret service who sacrificed his life to save journalist Giuliana Sgrena.

In special encore screenings, gripping historical drama THE TASTERS (Le assaggiatrici), from multi award- winning writer/director Silvio Soldini and adapted from Rosella Postorino’s bestselling novel At The Wolf’s Table, is inspired by the incredible true story of Margot Wölk, a woman who was conscripted to be one of Hitler’s food tasters.

For an unforgettable plunge into the dark heart of cinema, the festival retrospective this year focuses on Italy’s Giallo cinema. Born from Italy’s yellow jacketed crime paperbacks, this selection of classic thrillers are not for the faint of heart! Showcasing a stunning new 4K restoration of DEEP RED (Profondo Rosso), widely regarded as one of Dario Argento’s greatest films and a cornerstone of Italian horror cinema, it blends mystery, artistry, and psychological terror in unforgettable fashion.

Also included is A LIZARD IN A WOMAN’S SKIN (Una lucertola con la pelle di donna) Lucio Fulci’s surreal giallo that blends psychedelic visuals and an Ennio Morricone score to create a truly unique experience; BLOOD & BLACK LACE (Sei donne per l’assassino) a founding classic of the genre that follows a masked killer stalking fashion models and said to have pioneered the modern slasher aesthetic; Pupi Avati’s THE HOUSE WITH LAUGHING WINDOWS (La casa dalle finestre che ridono) renowned for its slow-burn suspense and shocking finale; and the hypnotic ALL THE COLOURS OF THE DARK (Tutti i colori del buio) which follows a traumatised woman who is drawn into the occult, starring Edwige Fenech and featuring a Bruno Nicolai score.

Festival tickets are now on sale.

The 2025 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Canberra 17 September – 15 October
Adelaide 17 September – 14 October
Sydney 18 September – 15 October
Melbourne 19 September – 16 October
Ballarat 20 September – 16 October
Brisbane 24 September – 22 October
Byron Bay and Ballina 25 September – 15 October
Perth 25 September – 22 October
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

“It feels strange but also right to announce that the year of our 15th anniversary will also be our last. We are hitting the road one last time to cap off an incredible 15 year run to say thank you to everyone who has danced, partied, sang, written to us and contributed.”

Born out of warehouse parties in the height of the 2000s indie movement, they erupted on the scene with a raucous live show that merged the relationship between stage and audience, creating a space where people could enjoy a gig like it was a friend’s house party. 2011’s Self Titled EP saw the bands’ sound develop a depth of musicality and substance, yet maintain a firm grip on their hedonistic hi-energy attitude.

“When we first started Northeast it was our dream to create a space where people could enjoy a gig like it was a friend’s house party. We had no idea that the house party would last for 15 years.”

“Our Triple J Unearthed win in 2010 marked the beginning of an adventure beyond our greatest ambitions. From there we played countless festivals, headlined The Forum, toured the US and Europe, and performed at Splendour in The Grass to a full tent in 2021.”

Off the back of a standout performance at Falls Festival 2011, they built a reputation as one of the best live bands in the country, providing stable footing for the release of debut album Any Given Weekend (2014), which skilfully blurred indie rock and electronic music.

They built their own niche community, rallying together unattached people in a reckless pursuit of a good time, with ideas like spending government payments on partying – ‘‘lets all get on youth allowance’’. Growing their audience with consistent touring, the bands most successful moments lay ahead with the release of 2016’s Dare (featuring ‘Calypso Beach’), 2019’s Shelf Life (featuring ‘Magnify’) and 2024’s Enhancer (featuring ‘Brain Freeze’), cementing their reputation for outstanding live shows, a strong grasp of liberating melody, and an unapologetic celebration of life’s wild moments.

Northeast Party House – The Final Party Tour
17 OCTOBER – FREO SOCIAL – FREMANTLE, WA
18 OCTOBER – THE GOV – ADELAIDE, SA
25 OCTOBER – FACTORY THEATRE – SYDNEY, NSW
14 NOVEMBER – THE TIVOLI – BRISBANE, QLD
27-28 NOVEMBER – 170 RUSSELL – MELBOURNE, VIC
www.facebook.com/northeastpartyhouse/

Presented by Palace, the 2025 edition of the festival will screen in Sydney, Melbourne, Ballarat, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Byron Bay and Ballina, commencing on September 24 in Brisbane.

The full 2025 line up will be revealed in late August with these first highlights offering a tantalising taste of what to expect in this year’s program, which will showcase the filmmaking and acting talents of Italy’s finest.

Opening the festival is Paolo Genovese’s record-breaking hit SOMEBODY TO LOVE (FolleMente), a romantic comedy with an all-star cast including Edoardo Leo, Pilar Fogliati and Vittoria Puccini. Following the global success of Perfect Strangers (IFF 16), writer/director Genovese’s latest film reveals the innermost thoughts and uncertainties of a modern Italian couple on their awkward first date.

From acclaimed filmmaker Ferzan Özpetek comes the stunning, female led drama DIAMONDS (Diamanti). An ode to the beautiful craftsmanship of film costume designers and seamstresses, Luisa Ranieri and Jasmine Trinca star as sisters running a couture costume design house in 1970s Rome, exploring the lives and relationships of the women working within it.

The festival Special Presentation is the winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, THE MOUNTAIN BRIDE – VERMIGLIO (Vermiglio). An atmospheric, visually breathtaking portrait of a family caught between tradition and modernity in the final year of WWII, writer/director Maura Delpero drew upon her own family’s past and collective memory to create this rich, intimate drama that follows a series of consequential events.

A box office sensation in Italy, moving drama THE BOY WITH PINK TROUSERS (Il ragazzo dai pantaloni rosa) features rising star Samuele Carrino in a powerful performance. Exploring the real story behind Italy’s first publicised case of online bullying, the film garnered much attention in Italy and sparked important discussions about the issue.

Starring popular comic duo Ficarra & Picone and festival favourite Toni Servillo, THE ILLUSION (L’Abbaglio) is a fun re-imagining of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s 1860 campaign that unified Italy. Directed and co-written by Roberto Andò (Strangeness IFF23) this entertaining tale blends comedy and drama to illuminate a piece of history, exploring the paradoxes of Sicilian identity.

The adventures of the Rovelli family continue in WHEN MUM IS AWAY…WITH THE IN-LAWS (10 Giorni con I suoi). This time the family head to Puglia in the hit comedy directed by Alessandro Genovesi and starring Fabio De Luigi and Valentina Lodovini.

The full programme will be announced and tickets go on sale late August. Register for updates via the festival website to be the first to know when tickets are released.

The 2025 ST. ALi Italian Film Festival presented by Palace screens in the following locations:
Canberra 17 September – 15 October, Palace Electric Cinema
Adelaide 17 September – 14 October, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Sydney 18 September – 15 October, Palace Moore Park, Palace Norton St, Palace Central, Chauvel Cinema
Melbourne 19 September – 16 October, The Astor Theatre, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema, Cinema Nova
Ballarat 20 September – 16 October, Palace Regent Cinemas
Brisbane 24 September – 22 October, Palace Barracks, Palace James Street
Byron Bay and Ballina 25 September – 15 October, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
Perth 25 September – 22 October, Palace Raine Square, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX, Windsor Cinema
www.italianfilmfestival.com.au

Explore traditional Noh and Kogen costume, intricately decorated kimono worn by samurai and merchants during the Edo period, early examples of Western influence in the styles of the late nineteenth-century, and Japanese modernist fashion from the early twentieth-century. Additionally, the exhibition features key pieces by fashion innovators Issey Miyake and John Galliano, contemporary creative Hiroko Takahashi and bold Harajuku street fashions.

Alongside unique examples of kimono and kimono inspired costume the exhibition features paintings, posters, wood block prints, magazines and decorative arts that contextualise the themes of the kimono story. It presents the diverse skills mastered by traditional artisans including shibori tie dye, rice paste resist designs and indigo blue dyeing, and highlights the numerous materials used for textile production throughout Japanese history, including silk, cotton, metallic thread, paper, elm bark, banana tree fibre and deer leather.

Kimono Exhibition
Until 5 October 2025
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
www.ngv.vic.gov.au

Palace is delighted to announce five of the first highlights ahead of the full programme being unveiled in late June.

This year’s Special Presentation is QUISLING: THE FINAL DAYS (Quislings siste dager). Set in 1945 Norway, this bold and fascinating drama from acclaimed director Erik Poppe (The King’s Choice, ScandiFF 2017) follows the post-liberation trial of the country’s infamous and controversial head of state Vidkun Quisling, in a stirring meditation on complicity, faith and the capacity for self-deception.

The powerful and visually stunning drama THE MOUNTAIN (Fjallið) is the first officially vetted sustainable production in Iceland and has been awarded the prestigious Green Film Sustainability certification. Starring Ísadóra Bjarkardóttir Barney (daughter of singer Björk), it explores how the cosmos and a road trip to the Icelandic highlands offers comfort to a family whose life is upended by a twist of fate.

Starring Festival favourite Trine Dyrholm is SECOND VICTIMS (Det andet offer), a Danish-set medical drama. Featuring stellar performances from Dyrholm and Özlem Saglanmak (Borgen), this timely reflection on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals today follows a neurologist on a shift that will change her life forever, exploring the weight of guilt and the power of compassion.

Debut director Paula Korva’s Finnish comedy/drama SUDDEN OUTBURSTS OF EMOTIONS (Kenraaliharjoitus) is the story of an ordinary couple who decide to open their relationship to new sexual encounters to reignite their passion. Although everything seems fine to start, emotional chaos is soon unleashed in this witty and heartfelt story.

From Sweden is LIVE A LITTLE (Leva Lite), a bold and intimate story about two best friends on a couch surfing adventure across Europe, navigating uncertainty and intimacy as they strive to find themselves.

The 2025 Hurtigruten Scandinavian Film Festival will take place from July to August (dates vary by location).

The full programme will be announced later in June when tickets go on sale. Listing details:
Melbourne: 11 July – 3 August, Palace Balwyn, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Westgarth, Palace Penny Lane, The Kino, Pentridge Cinema and The Astor Theatre
Ballarat: 11 July – 3 August, Palace Regent Cinema
Canberra: 16 July – 10 August, Palace Electric
Sydney: 17 July – 10 August, Palace Norton St, Palace Moore Park, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema Adelaide: 23 July – 13 August, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas Brisbane: 23 July – 14 August, Palace James St, Palace Barracks
Perth: 24 July – 13 August, Luna Leederville, Luna on SX and Palace Raine Square
Byron Bay and Ballina: 24 July – 13 August, Palace Byron Bay, Ballina Fair Cinemas
www.scandinavianfilmfestival.com

The party will start with Opening Night comedy SAMANA SUNRISE (Amanece en Samaná), featuring an all- star cast including Luis Zahera, María Luisa Mayol, Luis Tosar and Bárbara Santa-Cruz. The story follows two Spanish couples celebrating their 20-year friendship with a trip to a beachside resort in the Dominican Republic, where a confession about the past leads to a reality shifting ‘Sliding Doors’ moment.

The Centrepiece of the Festival is the highly acclaimed EL 47, which recently won five Goya Awards including the coveted Best Film. Inspired by a true story, from writer/director Marcel Barrena (Mediterraneo: The Law of the Sea), this biographical drama starring Eduard Fernández follows a bus driver in an act of peaceful dissidence that transformed modern Barcelona during the city’s boom in the 1970s.

A 2025 Special Presentation is UNDERCOVER (La infiltrada), co-winner of Best Film at the 2025 Goya Awards (sharing it with EL 47). This gripping crime thriller set in the Basque Country is based on the real-life story of Aranzazu Berradre Marín, the pseudonym for the only police officer in Spanish history to infiltrate the terrorist organisation ETA.

From celebrated auteur Julio Medem comes OCHO (8), a romantic drama that spans almost a century of Spanish history. Over 90 years, eight encounters mark Octavio and Adela’s tumultuous and passionate relationship, mirroring pivotal moments in the country’s history.

In this year’s New Spanish Cinema selection is THE GOLDSMITH’S SECRET (El secreto del orfebre), an epic romance adapted from Elia Barceló’s critically acclaimed novel. It stars Mario Casas as a goldsmith who revisits his Spanish hometown, reconnecting with a great love affair from 25 years prior.

Executive produced by Steven Soderbergh and fully funded by NFTs is Goya Best New Director nominee THE QUIET MAID (Calladita). This compelling class conflict drama with a satirical edge follows a Colombian maid working tirelessly in a luxurious mansion on the Costa Brava, until she realises how to find her own ways of enjoying the summer.

Gripping moral thriller MARCO, THE INVENTED TRUTH (Marco) stars Eduard Fernández in a standout performance as a charismatic man who spent years harbouring an unimaginable lie. The film is based on the unbelievable true story of Enric Marco who served as the speaker of the Spanish association of Holocaust victims for years, while maintaining a complex web of lies.

Icíar Bollaín’s taut, gripping drama I AM NEVENKA (Soy Nevenka) explores consent and structures of power and is inspired by the true case of Nevenka Fernández, a young woman in 1990s Spain who courageously reported harassment by her employer; powerful drama THE STEPMOTHER’S BOND (Tras el verano), about the fragility of relationships in blended families, is inspired by debut director Yolanda Centeno’s own experiences and LITTLE LOVES (Los pequeños amores) is an intense and emotional duel from up-and- coming director Celia Rico Clavellino that delves into the complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

The ever-popular Spanish comedy selection includes the No. 1 box office hit WOLFGANG (Wolfgang Extraordinario) direct from its release in Spain. This heartwarming comedy and emotional tribute to fatherhood follows the journey of a nine-year-old boy forced to live with his newfound father in Barcelona.

Audience favourite Paco León stars as a carefree man living a hedonistic lifestyle in the Canary Islands who is suddenly thrust into fatherhood, in Spanish box office hit BABIES DON’T COME WITH INSTRUCTIONS (Sin instrucciones).

Dani Rovira leads a stellar ensemble in THE BUS OF LIFE (El bus de la vida), a music-centred, life-affirming journey and feel-good tale about a music teacher facing his fears; based on incredible true events, MAY I SPEAK WITH THE ENEMY (Es el enemigo? La película de Gila) is a witty yet sensitive tribute to comedian Miguel Gila, who pioneered stand-up comedy in Spain, exploring his experience of the Spanish Civil War; in bittersweet dramatic comedy SUMMER IN DECEMBER (Verano en diciembre) four generations of women gather in Madrid for a family reunion, featuring an all-star cast including Carmen Machi; and NO GUILT (Culpa Cero) a highly resonant tragicomedy about a successful self-help writer whose life is shaken up when she is accused of plagiarism in the media.

This year’s Cine Latino selection features a strong representation of Argentinian cinema including crime thriller A SILENT DEATH (Una muerte silenciosa) in which Joaquín Furriel leads a stellar ensemble in a gripping tale of guilt, suspicion and truth set in the depths of Patagonia in the 1980s.

WHAT WE WANTED TO BE (Lo que quisimos ser), heralds the long-awaited return to directing of one of the great names of contemporary Latin American cinema Alejandro Agresti, along with veteran actors Luis Rubio and Eleonora Wexler who star in a stunning and intimate story of the illusion of love and a tribute to cinema.

Drawing comparisons to the work of Wes Anderson, quirky thriller EL JOCKEY tells the story of a legendary jockey’s self-destructive behaviour which begins to outshine his talent and threaten his relationship with his girlfriend. Set in vibrant Buenos Aires, it stars Nahuel Pérez Biscayart and Úrsula Corberó (Money Heist, The Day of the Jackal).

Directed by and starring Adrián Suar, Argentinian box office hit MAZEL TOV is a bittersweet and heartfelt family drama about forgiveness, sibling rivalry, letting go, and coming home. Also family-themed is Mexican/US co-production LAS TRES SISTERS, an adventure comedy about three Mexican-American sisters who embark on an adventure to follow in the footsteps of their grandmother while working to repair their relationships.

Paulina García stars as a woman who has a chance to free herself from her past in Uruguayan drama MILONGA, when she meets a man with whom she re-discovers her passion for tango. From Peru is the poignant tale of resilience and community THROUGH ROCKS AND CLOUDS (Raíz). An eight-year-old alpaca herder excitedly follows Peru’s World Cup chances, whilst the actions of a mining company threaten his village and their way of life in a remote village in the Andes.

Two standout documentaries in this year’s line-up feature a focus on distinctive aspects of Spanish culture – food and music. Winner of the Culinary Zinema Award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, MUGARITZ. NO BREAD, NO DESSERT (Mugaritz. Sin pan ni postre) invites the viewer behind the scenes of the avant-garde kitchen of fine-dining, Michelin starred restaurant Mugaritz. The film charts the off-season innovation of the famed Basque restaurant as chefs craft experimental dishes.

Winner of the Best Documentary and Best Original Song at the 2025 Goya Awards is THE FLAMENCO GUITAR OF YERAI CORTÉS (La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortés). A unique musical experience featuring some spectacular set pieces of flamenco, this superb documentary about love, passion, forgiveness and family explores the artistic process of the rising flamenco star.

Themes of seduction, pleasure and romance feature in ASK ME WHAT YOU WANT (Pídeme lo que quieras), adapted from the best-selling novel by Spanish romance writer Megan Maxwell. It stars Gabriela Andrada and Mario Ermito in a story of passion, pleasure and secrets; tensions simmer in compelling drama LINDA, when a captivating housemaid with unique charm unveils a family’s secrets; dramatic thriller ELECTROPHILIA (Los Impactados), stars Mariana Di Girolamo as a woman forever changed after being struck by lightning and waking up from a coma; and queer drama BABY, writer/director Marcelo Caetano’s vibrant and empathetic ode to found family, survival and the city of São Paulo.

In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the brilliant and highly lauded crime thriller NINE QUEENS (Nueve reinas), the Festival will close with the 4K remastered classic starring festival favourite Ricardo Darín and Gaston Pauls.

The 2025 HSBC Spanish Film Festival will take place nationally from 11 June to 9 July (dates vary by city) in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne, Ballarat, Sydney, Ballina and Byron Bay. Tickets are now on sale.

2025 HSBC Spanish Film Festival
Canberra 11 June – 2 July: Palace Electric Cinema
Adelaide 11 June – 2 July: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas, Palace Nova Prospect Cinemas
Brisbane 11 June – 2 July: Palace James Street and Palace Barracks
Perth 12 June – 2 July: Palace Raine Square Cinemas, Luna Leederville and Luna on SX
Melbourne 13 June – 2 July: The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinema Como, Palace Brighton Bay, Palace Penny Lane, Palace Westgarth, The Kino, Palace Balwyn and Pentridge Cinema
Ballarat: 13 June – 2 July Palace Regent Theatre
Sydney 19 June – 9 July: Palace Norton Street, Palace Moore Park, Palace Central and Chauvel Cinema
Byron Bay 19 June – 9 July: Palace Byron Bay
Ballina 19 June – 9 July: Ballina Fair Cinemas
www.spanishfilmfestival.com