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MIAF 2022 cancelled

We are immensely sorry to announce the cancellation of MIAF 2022 in July.

The ability to run the Melbourne International Animation Festival has always required significant funding. Over the years we have been greatly supported by a range of different partners, supporters and sponsors. At times we’ve had many funding sources, other times only a few. But together this has made it possible to run our festival.

However, on Tuesday morning we were advised that our core funding will no longer be provided. Without this funding it is simply impossible to run the festival and meet the variety of obligations an event such as MIAF incurs.

We have spent the last few days notifying the key people impacted both locally and internationally: filmmakers, distributors, animation schools, our presenting partner ACMI, partner festivals, sponsors, our marketing providers, our insurance company, and the group of amazing volunteers who help make the festival come to life.

We will now take some time to regroup and consider MIAF’s future. We’ll reflect on our role within the overall film culture environment that Melbourne is renowned for, our contribution to the local and international animation festival scenes, and look at what the future could be.

However, it is fair to say that without ongoing core funding continuing to stage the Melbourne International Animation Festival is very challenging.

Thank you to everyone who has supported MIAF across our 23 years. Our goal has always been to celebrate animation as an artform, provide a particular spotlight for Australian animation and deliver an animation event the equal of the many great animation festivals enjoyed in so many other places. Everyone who has come to MIAF, be it one screening or every year, and everyone who has entered a film has helped make that a reality. MIAF has been for you.

-Team MIAF

4 responses to “MIAF 2022 cancelled”

  1. Paul Johanson Avatar
    Paul Johanson

    Well shit. Perhaps we could lobby the new federal arts minister!

    1. Phillip Grace Avatar
      Phillip Grace

      Well, why not? MIAF is certainly good enough to go National!

  2. David Buller Avatar
    David Buller

    I feel for the Melbourne Animation Posse.
    I hope that you find some way through after all the energy, skill, love and passion organising such a complex event requires.
    I would also expect something better from the new government/arts minister.
    MIAF has an important contribution to make that is different to the elite art forms who get huge regular funding.
    I am not opposed to the ‘traditional regular’ recipients, but ?????.

  3. David Schembri Avatar

    Sad to hear. I’ve been attending every year and have also subbed to the event on two occasions. It is a highlight to my year as an artist, to attend and gain inspiration and spend time with friends. Let’s hope there is some way the festival can continue in some capacity.
    Best wishes.