We return in May for Melbourne International Animation Festival 2026. 🥳
We have a week (8 days) of animation goodness from around the world. Come join us as we celebrate animation as an art-form.
The basics
What: A week of the best new animation from around the world.
When: 17 – 24 May 2026.
+ Program Launch Party 25 March 2026.
Where: Treasury Theatre, Melbourne and The Backlot Studios, South Melbourne
+ Program Launch Party at Studio Showoff.
Tickets: Individual tickets and a range of passes.
Program: 39 curated sessions
What
MIAF (Melbourne International Animation Festival) is a full week-long animation film festival. See the best new films from Australia and around the world.
Since 2001, MIAF has showcased the art of animation at its most eclectic and inspired, transcending expectations, and doing it all on the unbeatable big screen. The 140+ works on display were curated from over 2000 submissions. They feature contemporary and retrospective pieces from emerging and established talent.
Animation requires artistry, imagination, and technical skill. It captivates and transports. See through the eyes of the world’s most creative animators with MIAF.
MIAF 2026, your week of BIG screen animation.
Schedule
Wednesday 26 March @ Studio Showoff
Sunday 17 May @ Treasury Theatre
| 5:30 PM | Australian Student Showcase |
| 7:30 PM | Australian Showcase – Official Opening |
Monday 18 May @ The Backlot Studios
| 5:45 PM | Meet The Filmmaker #1 |
| 6:45 PM | International Competition Program #1 |
| 8:15 PM | International Competition Program #6: Beyond Story |
Tuesday 19 May @ The Backlot Studios
| 5:45 PM | Meet The Filmmaker #2 |
| 6:45 PM | International Competition Program #2 |
| 8:15 PM | International Competition Program #7: Darker Visions |
Wednesday 20 May @ The Backlot Studios
| 5:45 PM | Meet The Filmmaker #3 |
| 6:45 PM | International Competition Program #3 |
| 8:15 PM | International Competition Program #8: Abstract Showcase |
Thursday 21 May @ The Backlot Studios
| 5:45 PM | Meet The Filmmaker #4 |
| 6:45 PM | International Competition Program #4 |
| 8:15 PM | International Competition Program #9: Character Studies |
Friday 22 May @ The Backlot Studios
| 5:45 PM | Meet The Filmmaker #5 |
| 6:45 PM | International Competition Program #5 |
| 8:15 PM | International Competition Program #10: Friday Extreme (18+) |
Saturday 23 May @ The Backlot Studios
International Student Animation Festival
| Discussions | Screenings | |
|---|---|---|
| 1:00 PM | Conversation #1 | International Student Program #1 |
| 1:45 PM | Conversation #2 | International Student Program #2 |
| 2:30 PM | Conversation #3 | International Student Program #3 |
| 3:15 PM | Conversation #4 | International Student Program #4 |
| 4:00 PM | Conversation #5 | International Student Program #5 |
| 4:45 PM | Conversation #6 | International Student Program #6 |
Saturday 23 May @ Treasury Theatre
| 12:00 PM | F.A.N. European Animation Survey – Program #1: Portugal |
| 1:20 PM | F.A.N. European Animation Survey – Program #2: Cyprus |
| 2:40 PM | F.A.N. European Animation Survey – Program #3: Greece |
| 4:00 PM | International Competition Program #1 – REPEAT |
| 5:30 PM | International Competition Program #2 – REPEAT |
| 7:00 PM | International Competition Program #3 – REPEAT |
| 8:45 PM | Late Night Bizarre (18+) |
Sunday 24 May @ Treasury Theatre
| 11:50 AM | F.A.N. European Animation Survey – Program #4: Spain |
| 1:10 PM | F.A.N. European Animation Survey – Program #5: Italy |
| 2:30 PM | International Competition Program #4 – REPEAT |
| 4:00 PM | International Competition Program #5 – REPEAT |
| 5:30 PM | Sunday Showcase [more info soon] |
| 7:00 PM | Best Of The Festival (18+) |
| 8:45 PM | Best Of The Festival (18+) – REPEAT |
Where
The big opening and closing weekends will happen at the Treasury Theatre. We love coming to the Treasury; the nice big screen, comfy seats and a cool bar right there on the premises! Good times, fun crowds and great animated energy.
Easy to get to, just a three minute walk from Parliament train station.
On weeknights the festival will be at The Backlot Studios in South Melbourne. We’re excited to be taking MIAF to this cosy space. Expect a diverse range of International Competition as well as themed programs with an extra emphasis on “Meet The Filmmaker” sessions. And Backlot has the perfect festival bar – a great space to hang out before and after every screening.
Only 15-20 minutes by tram from the city. Jump on a #1 or #12 tram line, they run every 10 mins.
Very limited seating, just 44 seats. Don’t miss out.
Please note that Backlot is NOT fully accessible. There are stairs with handrails, but no lift to the second floor where the cinema is located.
For one special night, we are going to Studio Showoff in Brunswick for the MIAF 2026 Program Launch Party.
Just 25 minutes by tram from the city. Jump on a #19.
Or get an Upfield train to Jewell station. 30-35 minutes.
Limited capacity. Tickets required.
Tickets
All tickets on sale 2 April 2026.
Early Bird tickets and discounts ONLY via our newsletter. Sign up here.
Individual ticket go to one session.
$20 full / $17 concession
Opening Night access to both sessions on opening night at Treasury Theatre.
$27 full / $21 concession
BINGE Pass access to everything at Treasury Theatre on the closing weekend.
$77 full / $65 concession
Student Festival Pass access to everything at our International Student Animation Festival at Backlot on Saturday 23 May.
One ticket to see it all. Limited tickets.
$16
Festival Pass access to (nearly) EVERYTHING.
VERY limited.
$145 full / $120 concession
Program overview
Most sessions are classified Unclassified (M) Mature, not recommended for viewers under 15 years.
Some sessions are classified Unclassified (18+), restricted to people 18 years and over.
Program Launch Party
With the Full Program going live the next day (Thursday 26 March) we will have a launch event at Studio Showoff in Brunswick.
Come join the party.
Tickets are free! But limited capacity.
A chance to hang out with some familiar and friendly faces over a drink or two.
We’ll give you the sneak peek of the Full Program. Some films to watch. Maybe a surprise or two. 😉
📅 When: Wednesday, 25 March
⏰ Time: 7-9pm
📍 Where: Studio Showoff, Brunswick
💲Cost: FREE (registered ticket required)
Opening Night
Nobody screens more Australian animation than MIAF. We proudly open the festival each year with the Australian Showcase which surveys the incredible artistry and skill of Australian animators. Plus we will also be screening the Australian Student Showcase with the best new animators from across the country.
This is a chance for those great local films to get some time on the big screen, where they belong. Make sure you don’t miss this chance to catch the best of home-grown films.
A fun filled night on Sunday 17 May at Treasury.
International Competition
The International Competition Programs are the backbone of the entire MIAF mission. Drawn from more the 2,300 submissions they showcase the best, most imaginative animating talent on the planet in a series of programs in which the only rule is diversity.
- International Competition Program #1
- International Competition Program #2
- International Competition Program #3
- International Competition Program #4
- International Competition Program #5
- International Competition Program #6: Beyond Story
- International Competition Program #7: Darker Visions
- International Competition Program #8: Abstract Showcase
- International Competition Program #9: Character Studies
- International Competition Program #10: Friday Extreme (18+)
If you miss the first screening of program 1-5 at The Backlot Studios during the week, come along to the repeats on the weekend at Treasury Theatre.
Meet The Filmmaker
Every weeknight we kick off proceeding with an invitation to drop in and meet some of the people who create the work we celebrate in MIAF. These sessions are always different but blend a presentation by a filmmaker, a mini screening of their work and a chance for you to ask questions.
Although the full line-up is still being locked down, expect a uniquely personal look inside the world of Japanese animation, an animated doco shining a light on one of our most cherished Aus indie animation events, and an opportunity to take part in Melbourne chapter of an international organisation built to encourage and celebrate the work of women in animation.
International Student Animation Festival
Our special mini festival-within-a-festival dedicated entirely to the dynamic world of student animation.
A day dedicated to watching AND talking.
We have six short programs for films from some of the best schools in the world and we’re busy assembling a roster of way-cool guests and presenters to come in to share their work, tell their stories and pass on their advice. So whether you’re in the bar, the foyer or the cinema there will always be something going down.
One Ticket – All Day
Six Screenings
Six Talks
CHOOSE YOUR OWN SCHEDULE
Festivals Animation Network (FAN) European Animation Survey
One of the highlights of MIAF 2026 will be our comprehensive survey of European animation.
MIAF has partnered with five different European animation festivals from the Festivals Animation Network (FAN). Together we have crafted five programs of new animation that delivers a comprehensive overview of what’s happening in the European animation scene.
- Portugal
- Cyprus
- Greece
- Spain
- Italy
We’ve even booked extra screening time at the Treasury to show these programs. MIAF 2026 will be bigger than ever. Our closing weekend schedule is nearly twice as big as last year.
Late Night Bizarre
Love your crazy content? Then you’ll love Late Night Bizarre. A dependably depraved screening of animated specimens from the wrong side of the tracks. Join us on Saturday night at Treasury for MIAF’s annual cult moment!
This session will be classified Unclassified (18+).
Sunday Showcase
We have a special international guest joining us on our closing Sunday.
We’re looking forward to sharing more soon.
Best Of The Festival
It all comes down to this the Best Of The Festival. After all the votes, the best emerge. This is the program that screens ‘em. Always popular so get tickets early.
Then stick around after for a bit of a celebration for all things animation.
Sunday 24 May at Treasury.
Program
Full program coming 26th of March.