From design exhibitions exploring the women that shaped the industry's history to curated retrospectives that celebrate iconic horror filmmakers, there's something for the cinephile in all of us at ACMI this autumn.
Goddess
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- Cost: To be announced
- Dates: April 5 to October 1
From Marlene Dietrich to Pam Grier to Tilda Swinton to Margot Robbie, ACMI’s latest blockbuster Melbourne Winter Masterpieces exhibition will celebrate the formidable women of the screen through never-before-seen costumes, large-scale projections, interactive experiences and more.
Featuring evocative soundscapes from Naarm/Melbourne-based composer Chiara Kickdrum, explore the 150 costumes, props and items that all tell the story of the femme provocateurs of film. With their full program launching later this month, with a late-night program and film program on offer, Goddess is set to be an unmissable exhibition at ACMI.
Find out more here.
Horror Program
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- Cost: Focus on the Dead: $18 full / $14 concession / Mapping Global Horror: $70 full, $55 concession
- Dates: Focus on the Dead: March 16 – April 2 / Mapping Global Horror: March 17 – 18
Get set to get spooked with ACMI’s huge horror program launching this autumn, with A Focus on the Dead showcasing George A. Romero’s original Trilogy of the Dead and other iconic zombie films. Mourning the unfulfilled promise of the Baby Boomers generations, catch the Australian premiere of a newly restored Dawn of the Dead, as well as the classic trilogy’s spiritual precursor The Last Man on Earth (1964) and successor, Train to Busan (2016).
World-leading scholars and filmmakers will lead Mapping Global Horror: Australia, Japan and Beyond, a two-day conference that explores the international roots of the horror genre. Featuring guest lecturers from the University of Pittsburgh, Kyoto University, Swinburne University, RMIT, University of Toronto and more, this two-day program will explore topics including women in horror, folk horror and how horror is consumed in the 21st century.
Find out more here.
Out of Bounds
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- Cost: Free
- Dates: Closing on April 23
What happens when a group of Melbourne-based artists break out of bounds in an action-adventure video game? What lies in the space beyond the authored limits of the game’s virtual word? How does curiosity, rather than a desire to win, alter the adventure? Those questions are answered in Out of Bounds: Exploring the Limits of Vide Games, which includes a multichannel video artwork titled The Grannies, an original artistic videogame and stunning stills featuring, and narrated by, the aforementioned artists.
While an edited version of The Grannies screened as a short film at festivals in Amsterdam, London and Milan, this ACMI premiere will be the international debut of its intended gallery installation format.
Find out more info here.
The Story of the Moving Image
- Cost: Free entry
- Dates: Open daily
Have you ever, ever felt like this? ACMI’s permanent centrepiece exhibition The Story of the Moving Image is getting some new displays this autumn, with props and costumes from the cult-classic Aussie TV show Round the Twist. Furthermore, it’s all 19th-century bodices and guns with pieces from Leah Purcell’s The Drover’s Wife also heading to The Story of the Moving Image. The first Australian feature film to feature an Indigenous woman who wrote, directed and starred in the piece, The Drover’s Wife is an iconic Western revisionist film.
ACMI’s centrepiece exhibition is a journey through the past (think: ancient shadow puppets, Victorian-era magic lanterns), the present (hello videogames and interactive digital experiences) and the future (use the Lens device to capture your favourite artworks for an online collection).
Find out more here.
Hero Restaurant and Bar
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- Location: Level 1, ACMI, Fed Square. Enter via Fed Square plaza or if inside ACMI, enter via the Level 1 foyer at the top of the stairs (accessible by lift).
- Restaurant opening hours: Wed – Sat: 12pm – Late, Sun: 12pm – 4pm, Mon & Tues – Closed
While streaming platforms make it increasingly harder to bother leaving the couch, much less the house, if you’ve gone all protagonist-in-your-own narrative and accepted the call to adventure into the outside world to visit the many fascinating and free attractions at ACMI, then why not make a day of it and feed yourself on site as well? Not only is ACMI the heart of screen culture in Melbourne, it’s in Melbourne, so naturally they have a day-to-night restaurant, cafe and wine bar as well. Hero, located on Level 1, offers a seasonally driven menu developed by acclaimed Melbourne chef, Karen Martini. You can also get yourself great coffee, cocktails and craft beers there as well.
If you’re after a delicious quick snack while you browse the exhibits that ACMI have on offer, get yourself something from Hero Grab & Go, which is open 10 am until 5 pm.
Find out more info here.
Thor: Love and Thunder
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- Cost: Free
- Dates: Open daily
Chris Hemsworth is arguably best known for people responding with an involuntary “phwoar” when they clap eyes on his aesthetically pleasing physical self. The Aussie actor has “done alright” for himself career-wise, too, having been immortalised as the God of Thunder Phwoar – I’m sorry – Thor, in Marvel Studio’s universe of superhero films.
The Thor: Love and Thunder costumes exclusive exhibition includes suits, garments and instruments worn and wielded by not only Thor, but Mighty Thor, Valkyrie, Gorr and Zeus as well, which have all been created by costume designer Mayes Rubeo who worked in collaboration with a stellar creative team in Hollywood to create these iconic looks.
Find out more info here.
ACMI Shop
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- The ACMI Shop, Fed Square.
- Free Shipping for orders over $100
- Every purchase supports ACMI
Valentine’s Day is coming and while we’re not at the high-adrenaline frenzied consumer sprint of panic-buying for our partner yet, that date is circled on the calendar and looming large. All of that can be avoided in the ACMI shop, which offers such a wide range of gifts you’ll be sure to find something for that special someone in your life. Books, prints, posters, clothing, glassware, furniture, vases and other décor items, mugs, key rings, jigsaw puzzles, silk scarves, they even have skate decks. Most pieces are by acclaimed artists, designers and brands, many are limited edition and some pieces actually signed, so there’s everything from some screen culture souvenirs to more special items to treat yourself or someone else.
Find out more info here.
Head to ACMI at Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC 3000. They’re open between 12pm and 5pm Monday to Friday, and from 10am to 5pm on weekends. For more info, head to their website here.
