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Summer Film Series
Celebrate summer with an exciting line-up of films and events at the NFSA, kicking off with the newly restored Australian classic Muriel’s Wedding. Throughout January, you can enjoy Hot Summer Nights in the NFSA courtyard, which features live performances or DJ sets and extended opening hours at our onsite cafe and bar. We’ll screen nostalgic favourites Grease and Dirty Dancing and thought-provoking films like Samson & Delilah and Summer of Soul.
Families can look forward to the return of Pizza + Pyjamas and Cool Holidays matinees, including Ice Age and Happy Feet.
February brings a thrilling Batman spotlight with five films showcasing his evolution from the campy 1960s to darker interpretations by Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan.
Celebrate the season with our December line-up! Don’t miss NFSA Restores: Muriel’s Wedding, plus favourites rom-coms from our Nora Ephron and Meg Ryan Christmas series. Families can enjoy Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Hustle, while Austen fans won’t want to miss our Book Club screening of Emma.
For cult cinema lovers, drag icon Venus Mantrap hosts Cult Classics with a 40th-anniversary screening of The Terminator. Finish the year with the serene beauty of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter… and Spring.
Feel the summer heat this January with our Hot Summer Nights series, featuring classics like Rear Window, Roman Holiday and Some Like It Hot. Other highlights include Body Heat and the newly remastered The Endless Summer in 4K. For a touch of romance, we have Dirty Dancing and Call Me By Your Name. Our Cool Holidays program for families features animated favourites from Studio Ghibli and titles like Frozen and Happy Feet.
Our exciting program of films and discussions continues in February. Don't miss the free screening and discussion of For the Term of His Natural Life (Reconstructed). Our Batman spotlight includes five films showcasing his evolution from 1960s camp to the darker interpretations of Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan. Plus, enjoy Pizza & Pyjamas with Corpse Bride and a Cult Classics screening of Ghost with a special performance by Venus Mantrap.
Partner series
The NFSA is a place for conversation and collaboration. Explore our year-long partner series that bring together independent artists, cutting-edge researchers and other arts and cultural organisations.
With Venus Mantrap
Cult Classics
A series of Friday night filmic feasts showcasing cinema with bite: edgy movies and fan favourites that unnerve, push buttons, ask questions, or just look good on the big screen! Each event includes a performance and introduction to the film from series host Venus Mantrap: local drag artist and culture warrior.
Canberra Writers Festival
Book Club at the NFSA
Perfect for bookworms and film buffs alike, this series of screenings and discussions spans a variety of genres, styles and subjects, from Little Women to Australian grunge lit and everything in between. Presented in partnership with Canberra Writers Festival.
SpringOUT Pride Festival
Velvet Goldmine + Performance
Presented as part of SpringOUT Pride Festival with a special pre-screening glam rock performance by Pass/Fail (Nick Delatovic).
Australian National University
Science. Art. Film.
A free series of screenings and panel discussions that uncover wacky, weird and wonderful facets of science and art in films. Science. Art. Film. is a collaboration between the NFSA and Popsicule, the Science in Pop Culture and Entertainment Hub at the Australian National University (ANU). The series is supported by the ANU-based Australian National Centre for the Public Awareness of Science, the ANU Humanities Research Centre and the ANU SynBio Initiative.
A Canberra cinema experience like no other
Arc Cinema offers a curated selection of Australian and international films, including 35mm film prints from the national audiovisual collection. Discover oddball cult favourites, beloved family classics and digital restorations of culture-shaping cinema, presented in a stunning Art Deco space equipped with the latest audiovisual technology.
Ask questions, trade ideas and push boundaries with post-screening Q&As, thought-provoking discussions and panel events featuring leading Australian artists and thinkers. Make an afternoon or a night of it with a visit to The Library to peruse the curious collection of precious, wondrous and whimsical audiovisual artefacts on display.
During the day, the Church cafe and bar at the NFSA serves locally roasted Redbrick coffee and a selection of sandwiches and sweet treats. Take a break in our cosy Mediatheque, with footage rolling from the national collection, or outdoors in our sunny 1930s courtyard. Open late for NFSA events, the bar offers craft beers, wine, snacks and more.
Only cinema in Canberra I like. Great quality screen and sound. Comfortable seats. Air conditioning good temperature all year round. Friendly staff.Carla Anderson Google review
A must for ANY film, TV or sound buff (or combination) whilst in Canberra – great display of Australia's audiovisual heritage! First-class staff too.Matt Thompson Facebook review
Spent an hour or two in this fab old building looking at old Aussie newsreels and general film history. Different and worth it.Mel C Tripadvisor review
We’re open daily on McCoy Circuit in Acton’s cultural precinct. Plan your visit
Join Club NFSA to get free entry to every seventh paid screening, event or exhibition. Request a Club NFSA card at Reception and have your card stamped each time you visit (excludes premium and external events).
Extend your visit and explore our unique Art Deco building, from the curious collection of artefacts on display in The Library to the immersive Temple exhibition in the Gallery. Visit the team from Church Neighbourhood Goods at our onsite cafe and bar to enjoy a locally roasted coffee, a Canberra brew or a tasty treat. Learn more
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia acknowledges Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and gives respect to their Elders both past and present.