Melbourne International Animation Festival

The Melbourne International Animation Festival (MIAF) is an annual event that has been held in Melbourne since 2001. It is Australia’s largest animation event and is supported by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, the Australian Film Commission, and the Melbourne City Council.

The festival is a week-long celebration of animation, featuring forums and showcasing over 400 of the best recently released, historical, and retrospective animations from around the world. The festival is held annually in the middle of the year.

In addition to the main festival, MIAF also presents International Animation Day, a full day dedicated to celebrating animation. This event is coordinated by Association Internationale du Film d’Animation (ASIFA) [International Animated Film Association] and was started in 2002 to honor the birth of animation.

The festival includes a variety of programs such as international competition programs, showcases, and special sessions with filmmakers. It also offers workshops and Q&A sessions on various topics related to animation. The festival provides a platform for both emerging and established talent in the field of animation to showcase their work.

The festival events are held at different venues including the Treasury Theatre in Melbourne and The Backlot Studios in South Melbourne. The Treasury Theatre hosts the big opening and closing weekends of the festival.