The Melbourne Women in Film Festival (MWFF) is back for its ninth edition, bringing a dynamic and rebellious showcase of female and gender-diverse filmmakers from Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and Pasifika.
Running from March 20–24 at ACMI and Federation Square, the 2025 program boasts over 40 world-class features, shorts, and special events, promising an exhilarating celebration of bold storytelling and boundary-pushing cinema.
Festival Director Sian Mitchell describes this year’s program as an invitation to “discover groundbreaking new voices, hidden cinematic gems, and the powerful legacies of women’s filmmaking. This is where the future of film is being written, and we can’t wait to share it with you.”
Kicking off the festival is “We Were Dangerous”, a fierce and poignant drama from Aotearoa New Zealand. Directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, the 1954-set film follows rebellious teens in a remote reform school as they push back against oppressive forces. Featuring powerhouse performances from Rima Te Wiata (“Hunt for the Wilderpeople”), Nathalie Morris (“Bump”), Erana James (“The Changeover”), and newcomer Manaia Hall, “We Were Dangerous” is a rallying cry for unity and empowerment.
Horror and genre fans will relish The Almost Midnight Movie Marathon, a double feature that promises thrills, chills, and a splash of gore. The night kicks off with “T Blockers”, Alice Maio Mackay’s high-energy, queer-centric horror about ancient parasites preying on fear. Following that is “Grafted”, Sasha Rainbow’s twisted “Mean Girls” meets “Face/Off tale” of a disfigured scholarship student who turns to terrifying science to gain popularity.
For fans of sharp satire is “Audrey”, a dark comedy about a washed-up soap star reclaiming her life by assuming her comatose daughter’s identity, which will be followed by a must-attend panel discussion, “Reframing Audrey”. This conversation will highlight the significance of the ReFrame certification, which recognises gender-balanced hiring in film—previously awarded to productions like “Barbie” and “Shiva Baby”.
MWFF continues its commitment to emerging voices with its short film programs, offering diverse narratives ranging from evocative portraits of womanhood to radical third-wave feminist and riotgrrl-inspired experimental works. “Freshly Squeezed Shorts”, “Next Gen Shorts”, and “Daydreams and Nightmares” provide a platform for boundary-pushing filmmakers to showcase their unique perspectives.
Industry professionals can also take part in enriching sessions, such as “Masterclass: The Art of Visual Storytelling… on a Budget”, led by seasoned art department expert Lucy Gouldthorpe (“Love Me”, “Shantaram”), and “The Lifecycle of Film”, an insightful mentorship series co-presented with Women in Film and Television Victoria.
More than just a festival, MWFF is a movement amplifying female and gender-diverse voices in cinema. With the support of the City of Melbourne and VicScreen, the festival remains an essential platform for radical and rebellious filmmaking, pushing boundaries and inspiring the next generation of storytellers.
Tickets and more information are available at mwff.org.au.