Published 13 May 2025

The National Film and Sound Archive’s 2025 Winter Film program offers a curated selection of classic films, retrospectives, and special events celebrating iconic performances, ground-breaking directors, and diverse genres. 

Winter welcomes a cool line-up of guests and visitors, with unmissable screenings and events celebrating their work. Among them is Craig Boreham AO — a trailblazer in queer cinema whose work continues to shape the landscape of Australian cinema on the global stage. The NFSA is hosting a screening of his celebrated film Teenage Kicks (2016), followed by an in-person Q&A.

The NFSA is also honoured to host Stephen Page AO, a descendant of the Nunukul people and the Munaldjali clan of the Yugambeh Nation from South East Queensland. His visionary leadership with Bangarra Dance Theatre and personal creative works have contributed to transforming First Peoples' storytelling. He will join audiences for a special Q&A following a screening of his acclaimed feature film SPEAR (2015) — a powerful work which continues to influence Indigenous dance and storytelling in Australia and around the world.

Winner of the Helpmann Award for Best Cabaret Performer 2013 and named Cabaret Icon at the 2016 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Robyn Archer AO will present Robyn Archer and The Pack of Women, an exclusive live performance comprising a special screening plus reflections in song and conversation. l

Works from the Asian Film Archive as part of its Reciprocal Program are heading to Arc Cinema with a line-up exploring identity, resilience, and cultural memory through five distinct films — from Maryam (2023), a bold drama about a 50-year-old aristocrat fighting for love across age, culture, and Sharia law, and the poignant realism of Be With Me (2005), to the disco-fuelled charm of Forever Fever (1998), the reflective documentary Sementara (2020), and the once-banned martial arts cult classic Ring of Fury (1973). 

We’re also proud to continue our A Day at the Movies series — a thoughtfully curated selection of films providing a welcoming and enjoyable cinema experience for people living with dementia, alongside their families, friends, carers and companions. Carers receive a free ticket, courtesy of Carers ACT, and all attendees can enjoy a complimentary Bulla ice cream. 

Get ready for two exciting showcases from Adventure Reels, proudly co-presented by the NFSA as a venue partner. First up, an exhilarating ride with the 2025 Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour — a powerful showcase of fearless female adventurers breaking boundaries and defying expectations. Then, slow things down (and melt a few hearts) with the Top Dog Festival, a delightful celebration of the special bond between dogs and their people.

Then travel to far-off places, spanning continents, eras, and genres, from the spine-chilling thrills of Paranormal Activity (2007) to the gritty streets of 1970s New York in The French Connection (1971); from Funny Face (1957), where Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire dazzle in a Parisian romance, to Enter the Dragon (1973), showcasing Bruce Lee in an iconic martial arts tournament. Make new memories with your family and clear your throats for a sing-along of Disney’s most supercalifragilisticexpialidocious musical, Mary Poppins (1964). As part of our ever-popular Science. Art. Film. series, the NFSA is showing a 35mm screening of Children of Men (2006), followed by a panel discussion exploring its themes of population, migration, and societal collapse. 

In partnership with the Canberra Writers Festival, Book Club at the NFSA celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Picnic at Hanging Rock with its Director’s Cut. Other crowd-pleasers in our Winter Program include Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap: a series of irreverent Friday night films with a Warped Winter mini-series highlighting the strongest female characters in 80s and 90s cult films, including The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Wild at Heart (1990), and To Die For (1995). 

‘Our winter program brings iconic and much-loved movies to audiences in our warm and welcoming art deco cinema. Whether you are looking for a fun night out, a nostalgic fix of your favourite movies or a deep dive into the world of cinema and the people behind the movies, this program has something for you,’ said Greg Lissaman, the NFSA’s Head of Programs and Operations.

⭐ Program highlights below

📅 Digital Winter Series program.

📷 Download images via Dropbox 

Media enquiries and interview requests: 
Irina Agaronyan | Communications Specialist
0439 382 064 | Irina.Agaronyan@nfsa.gov.au

Program Highlights