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Impact

Our MIFF 2025 watchlist is here – and it’s a good one

Photo journal

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) is back for its 73rd year, and once again, it’s bringing a bold and diverse lineup of over 275 films, shorts, and immersive experiences to screens across Melbourne and online.

As a proud partner of MIFF, we’re passionate about the power of storytelling to spark conversation, inspire change, and connect communities. That’s why we’ve combed through this year’s program to bring you 10 of our top picks.

From local gems to international standouts, these selections reflect the creativity and courage that MIFF champions every year. Whether you're planning a night out at the cinema or a cosy evening streaming from home, we hope this list helps you discover something unforgettable.


First Light

A nun encounters a lethal criminal conspiracy and begins to question her beliefs in this poetic, sensory meditation on faith, power and corruption.

Find out more

Dir. James J. Robinson / 2025 / 118 mins / Australia, Philippines / Tagalog / Drama


Yurlu | Country


A vivid ode to Country and an intimate, inspiring portrait of a Banjima Elder’s fight to reclaim his asbestos-tainted homeland.

Find out more

Dir. Yaara Bou Melhem / 2024 / 82 mins / Australia / English / Documentary

Little, Big, and Far

A bewitchingly thought-provoking meditation on the stars, on humanity’s place on Earth, and within the universe.

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Dir. Jem Cohen / 2024 / 122 mins / USA, Austria / English, German / Documentary, Experimental

Spreadsheet Champions

Six young people from around the globe channel their dreams into a competition with a difference: a test of their elite mastery of Microsoft Excel.

Find out more

Dir. Kristina Kraskov / 2024 / 86 mins / Australia / English, Spanish, French, Greek / Documentary

Fwends

Estranged mates get lost in Melbourne and fall back in love with one another in this lilting indie ode to the city and slacker cinema.

Find out more

Dir. Sophie Somerville / 2024 / 92 mins / Australia / English, French / Drama, Comedy

Drunken Noodles

Lucio Castro returns with another sagacious time-bending queer drama, here following an art student whose NYC internship interweaves with a series of hook-ups.

Dir. Lucio Castro / 2025 / 82 mins / USA, Argentina / English / Drama

We Bury the Dead

After a military experiment turns Tasmania into a corpse-strewn wasteland, Ava joins the clean-up crew, hoping to find her missing husband.

Learn more

Dir. Zak Hilditch / 2025 / 94 mins / Australia / English / Drama, Horror

Deeper

A lauded Australian documentarian and one of the heroes of the Thai cave rescue come together for a gripping adventure into deep water.

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Dir. Jennifer Peedom / 2025 / 87 mins / Australia / English / Documentary

Rebuilding

In this heart-wrenching rural drama, Josh O’Connor plays a rancher rising from the ashes of a wildfire that destroys his home.

Dir. Max Walker-Silverman / 2025 / 95 mins / USA / English / Drama

Zombucha!

Hoping to strike it rich with an organic beverage empire, a struggling couple inadvertently unleash a sentient killer kombucha.

Learn more

Dir. Claudia Dzienny / 2025 / 106 mins / Australia / English / Comedy, Sci-Fi

Of course, this is just a small slice of what MIFF 2025 has to offer. With over 275 films, shorts, and immersive experiences on the lineup, there’s something for every kind of movie lover.

Head to the MIFF website to check out the full program and start planning your festival adventure!

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