Cocoon

Seniors gain youthful energy after swimming in a pool with alien cocoons.

Arc Cinema

8:00PM

$18 Full / $15 Concession / $12 Senior ( + $1.50 booking fee)

20 March, 2026

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Cocoon 20 March, 2026

Presented as part of UPSTAGEING Canberra

1985 | DCP | USA | D: Ron Howard

Older residents discover a swimming pool in a disused holiday home and have their lives transformed by a mysterious extraterrestrial presence. As the physical vitality of the residents return, questions about ageing, mortality and the cost of second chances emerge. Blending science-fiction with heartfelt comedy drama, Ron Howard’s supernatural tale of eternal youth treats later life with warmth and seriousness.

The film challenges cultural assumptions about ageing while delivering an intimate, emotional and gently cosmic story. It won Oscars for Best Supporting Actor (Don Ameche) and Best Visual Effects.

‘A science-fiction fantasy that takes old age seriously, without condescension or sentimentality.’ - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Ahead of the feature film we will screen a short film:

Secret of Successful Ageing
2025 | AUS | 3.5 mins | D: Mike Siers

Winner of the ‘Active Ageing Award’ at the UPSTAGEING Short Film & Video Competition.

The UPSTAGEING Short Film & Video Competition is in partnership with Screen Canberra and is a cornerstone of UPSTAGEING - Canberra’s first large-scale celebration of creative ageing. By centring stories told for, by or with older people, the competition aims to dismantle ageism and celebrate the profound contributions older Canberrans make to our culture.

Arc Cinema

We are situated in the heart of Canberra on McCoy Circuit, Acton, between the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and the grounds of the Australian National University. Just a 10-minute walk from the city and state bus interchanges.

1 McCoy Circuit, Acton, ACT 2601

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