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.

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 SOLD OUT

BINGE Pass access to everything at Treasury Theatre on the closing weekend.
$77 full / $65 concession

International Student Animation 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.
Does not include access to the Great Debate or the CHRYSALIS Exhibition.
VERY limited.
$145 full / $120 concession SOLD OUT

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.

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.

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

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.

1. Portugal
2. Cyprus
3. Greece
4. Spain
5. 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.

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+).

A VERY special Sunday with the master claymation animator showcasing a collection of her incredible films from a career spanning more than 25 years – including her very latest work.

Watch the films and save your questions for the Q&A session.

5:30pm on Sunday 24 May at Treasury.