Melbourne International Animation Festival
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The Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF) is an independent, not-for-profit annual animation festival held in Melbourne, Australia, since 2001.[1][2] Recognised as the largest animation-dedicated event in the country, MIAF showcases a diverse array of animated works from around the world, with a typical program screening over 200 films from more than 30 countries. The festival has historically included international competitions, retrospectives, student showcases, and guest appearances by prominent animators and industry professionals.
Originally supported by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), Screen Australia, and the City of Melbourne, MIAF moved its screenings to the Treasury Theatre in 2019 due to ACMI's temporary closure for renovations. In 2022, the festival was cancelled following the withdrawal of key public funding, including support from Screen Australia, significantly impacting its operations and long-term viability.[3]
The Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF) was established in 2001 as a platform to celebrate and promote the art of animation in Australia. Over the years, the festival has grown to become the country's largest animation event, featuring a diverse selection of films from both local and international filmmakers.[4][5]
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In its early years, MIAF was supported by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI), the Australian Film Commission (now Screen Australia), and the City of Melbourne. The festival was initially held at ACMI, providing a central location for screenings and events. However, in 2019, due to ACMI's temporary closure for large-scale renovations, MIAF relocated its screenings to the Treasury Theatre. This move allowed the festival to continue its operations without interruption.
In 2022, the festival faced significant challenges when Screen Australia decided not to continue its funding support. This decision, coupled with the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, led to the cancellation of MIAF 2022. The organisers expressed their regret, stating, "The ability to run the Melbourne International Animation Festival has always required significant funding... But together this has made it possible to run our festival." They further noted that "the decision in 2022 by Screen Australia to not continue funding us changed the DNA of our festival".[6]
Festival programming
MIAF has been renowned for its diverse and inclusive programming, showcasing a wide range of animated works from around the globe. The festival typically features over 200 films selected from thousands of submissions, encompassing various genres and styles. Programs include international competitions, student showcases, and curated sessions focusing on specific themes or techniques. Notable sessions have included "Digital Extremes," "Masters & Returnees," and "Hi-Fi Design," each highlighting different aspects of the animation industry.
The festival has also been a platform for retrospectives, celebrating the works of influential animators and studios. These retrospectives have provided audiences with an opportunity to explore the evolution of animation and its impact on culture and society.
List of festivals by year
| Year | Length | Dates | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 6 days | 26 June 2001 to 1 July 2001[7] | Treasury Theatre[8] | Inaugural festival |
| 2002 | 6 days | 25 June 2002 to 30 June 2002[9] | Treasury Theatre[10] | |
| 2003 | 6 days | 24 June 2003 to 29 June 2003[11] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image[12] | First year at ACMI |
| 2004 | 6 days | 22 June 2004 to 27 June 2004[13] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2005 | 6 days | 21 June 2005 to 26 June 2005[14] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2006 | 6 days | 20 June 2006 to 25 June 2006[15] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2007 | 6 days | 19 June 2007 to 24 June 2007[16] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2008 | 7 days | 16 June 2008 to 22 June 2008[17] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2009 | 7 days | 22 June 2009 to 28 June 2009[18] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2010 | 9 days | 19 June 2010 to 27 June 2010[19] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2011 | 8 days | 19 June 2011 to 26 June 2011[20] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2012 | 8 days | 17 June 2012 to 24 June 2012[21] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2013 | 11 days | 20 June 2013 to 30 June 2013[22] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2014 | 11 days | 19 June 2014 to 29 June 2014[23] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2015 | 8 days | 21 June 2015 to 28 June 2015[24] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2016 | 8 days | 19 June 2016 to 26 June 2016[25] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2017 | 8 days | 18 June 2017 25 June 2017[26] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2018 | 10 days | June 14, 2018 to June 23, 2018[27] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | |
| 2019 | 10 days | July 12 to July 21, 2019[28] | Treasury Theatre[29] | |
| 2020 | 4 days | May 13 to May 16, 2021[30] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | Re-Animated program with virtual engagements due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | 4 days | May 19 to May 22, 2022[31] | Australian Centre for the Moving Image | Re-Animated program with virtual engagements due to COVID-19 |
| 2022 | Cancelled | Lack of funding | ||
| 2023 | 8 days | May 7 to May 14, 2023[32] | Treasury Theatre & The Backlot Studios | |
| 2024 | 8 days | May 5 to May 14, 2024[33] | Treasury Theatre & The Backlot Studios | |
| 2025 | 8 days | May 18 to May 25, 2025[34] | Treasury Theatre & The Backlot Studios |
Results
| Year | Best of the Fest | Best Australian Film | Best International Student Film | Best Australian Student Film |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Velodrool - Sander Joon (Estonia) | Hound by Georgia Kriss (Australia) | Switch Man - Hsun-Chun Chuang, Shao-Kuei Tung (Taiwan) | The Good, The Bad & The Noodley - Essington College (Australia)[35] |
| 2017 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2018 | After All – Michael Cusack (Australia) | After All – Michael Cusack (Australia)
Lost Property Office – Daniel Agdag (Australia) |
The Potion Controversy – Oscar Stockdale (UK) | Welcome To Shmeven 11 – Dru Shaw (Australia)[36] |
| 2019 | Per Tutta La Vita – Roberto Catani (France) | Sohrab And Rustum – Lee Whitmore (Australia)
Lost And Found – Andrew Goldsmith, Bradley Slabe and Lucy Hayes (Australia) |
Strawberry Bums: Invasion Of The Snubgrubs – Jeremy Sullivan (USA) | Olga's Self Insert Fanfiction – Ella Sanderson, Georgette Stefoulis (Australia)[37] |
| 2020 | Metamorphosis – Carla Pereira, Juan Fran Jacinto (Spain) | Meanwhile, At The Abandoned Factory… – Michael Cusack (Australia) | N/A | N/A |
| 2021 | Nocturne – Alexander Dupuis (USA) | Two Little People – Xin Li (Australia) | N/A | N/A |
| 2022 | Cancelled | |||
| 2023 | 11 – Vuk Jevremovic | The Pioneers – Simon Cottee | N/A | Hollow – Shirin Shakhesi |
| 2024 | Lack – Paweł Prewencki (Poland) | My Jumper, It Roars! – Isabella Spagnolo | N/A | Shoot Me In The Grocery Line – Yunlin Bai, Tori Huynh – RMIT |
| 2025 | Trash – Gregory Bouzid, Maxime Crancon, Robin Delaporte, Matteo Durand, Romain Fleischer, Alexis Le Ral, Margaux Lutz, Fanny Vecchie (France) | Plumpin – Ivan Dixon | NRUT – Sophia Schonborn (Germany) | Carrion – Gabriella Lee Sudyatmiko |