We acknowledge Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live and give respect to their Elders, past and present.

Read our Statement of Reflection

Your Cart

Your cart is empty right now...

Discover what's on
Your Stuff
Lists
No lists found
Create list
List name
0 Saved items
Updated: a few seconds ago
Getting Started
Get started with Your Stuff

A free Your Stuff account allows you to save, list and share your favourite collection items and articles. This account will give you access to Your Stuff, NFSA Player and Pro. You will need to create an additional account for Canberra event tickets.

Confirm
Skip to main content
National Film and Sound Archive of AustraliaNational Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive
National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
National Film and Sound Archive

Cult Classics: Scanners

Psychic powers and corporate dystopia in a Cronenberg body-horror classic 
Arc Cinema
8:00PM
$19.50 Full / $16.50 Concession (+$1.50 booking fee)
31 July, 2026
Cult Classics: Scanners 31 July, 2026

1981 | R18+ | DCP | CAN | D: David Cronenberg  


The NFSA presents a series of irreverent, Friday night filmic feasts, curated and hosted by drag artist and culture warrior Venus Mantrap.   
 
Cult Classics with Venus Mantrap dives into the world of sharp, edgy films and beloved fan favourites. Each event features a pre-screening live performance by Venus in our beautiful art deco Arc Cinema.

Our Cult Classics screenings are often interactive and always full of laughs and surprises. Leave your serious side at home and enjoy a movie night with a twist. And probably a shimmy.     

Scanners are people with dangerously powerful telepathic powers who have been weaponised by a sinister corporation. When one scanner (Michael Ironside) begins to build an underground army, another scanner, reclusive outsider Cameron (Stephen Lack), is recruited to stop him. 

Classic body horror from David Cronenberg presents an elegantly polished series of gory special effects.  

Scanners offers at least one literally eye-popping moment and another that can only be called mind-blowing.’ – Variety 

Includes pre-screening introduction and live performance by Venus Mantrap. 

Coming up in Cult Classics: Body DoubleStrange DaysThe Lair of the White WormDeath Becomes Her, and Showgirls. 
 


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

Film Details

Year
1981
Details
DCP 100 mins R 18+
Director
David Cronenberg

Events in this series

View full series

sub category of eventseries

Cult Classics: Body Double

Voyeurism, obsession and suspense combine in Brian De Palma’s sexy Hollywood thriller 
10:00 AM
10:00 AMFri, Aug 21, 2026
Rated R 18+
Learn more

sub category of eventseries

Cult Classics: Strange Days

Neo noir cyber thriller set at the precipice of the 21st century.  
10:00 AM
10:00 AMFri, Sep 18, 2026
Rated M
Learn more

sub category of eventseries

Cult Classics: The Lair of the White Worm

Ken Russell’s campy horror of vampire snakes set in the English countryside 
9:00 AM
9:00 AMFri, Oct 23, 2026
Rated R 18+
Learn more

Personalized your experience

Save, create and share

With NFSA Your Stuff