
MechaFest: An Anime Celebration
Thu 8 May - Fri 16 May 2025
ACMI would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways of greater Melbourne, the people of the Kulin Nation, and recognise that ACMI is located on the lands of the Wurundjeri people.
First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices, or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or text.
Fri 16 May 2025
7.30pm
Human Love Quest, presented by friends Xander Allan, Conor Gallacher and The Captain brings the golden age of television dating shows into the future.
The antithesis of dating apps, HLQ uses the classic trope of three hopefuls vying for the attention of one solo contestant, separated from each other by a partition. It’s all-inclusive and anyone is encouraged to apply, regardless of how you identify, your age group or what you’re looking for out of an encounter.
This is the first of three editions of HLQ at ACMI, with each one focused on a different medium of screen and pop culture. Couch potatoes and Goggleboxers get ready – we’re kicking things off in May with a TV-themed show.
With the addition of live readings of love notes submitted by secret admirers in the audience, (“Ahoy There”), you’re guaranteed a night of quality entertainment, as heart-warming as it is hilarious.
We have a zero tolerance policy against antisocial or unkind behaviour.
Anyone can participate, no matter who they are, who they are looking to date, or what they’re looking for out of an encounter. If you’d like to be a contestant, we’d love to have you!
Follow this link to fill out our brief and easy application form.
Human Love Quest is hosted by Conor Gallacher and Xander Allan. The team is rounded out by Alex ‘The Captain’ Reid who uses his skills as an announcer, DJ and general tech organiser to keep our ship afloat. HLQ has been going since 2021, and has become a live entertainment staple of Melbourne’s inner North. Catering to the wholesome, the spicy and everyone in between, Human Love Quest is committed to re-humanising the dating experience in an app heavy world.