Australia's pre-eminent film society dedicated to screening significant works of international cinema.
Melbourne Cinémathèque started out in 1948 as the Melbourne University Film Society (MUFS) and changed its name to Melbourne Cinémathèque in 1984. It is self-administered, volunteer-run, not-for-profit and membership-driven.
Melbourne Cinémathèque presents celebrated and less well known works of international cinema in their original format and in new restorations. Screenings occur weekly until mid-December, with a four-week break in August.
Admission to Melbourne Cinémathèque session is open to Cinémathèque members only. Memberships are available for three consecutive weeks (from date of purchase) or for a full year. After a membership is purchased, admission to sessions is free.
Membership options
Mini membership
Admission for 3 consecutive weeks of screenings from date of purchase.
Full $33.5 | Concession $28.5
Annual membership
Admission for 12 months of screenings from date of purchase.
Full $182 | Concession $161
Friends of Cinémathèque
Admission for 12 months of screenings from date of purchase.
Full $300 | Concession $278.5
For updates, follow Melbourne Cinémathèque's Facebook and Twitter pages. Please note, online bookings incur a $1 booking fee.
2023 program
Crying on the Inside: The empathetic stardom of Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (22 March – 5 April 2023)
Return Fire: Marilyn Monroe, actor and icon (12–26 April 2023)
Soft and Hard: The high-wire career of Burt Lancaster (3–17 May 2023)
“The Stuff of Cinema”: The Prolific Independence of Bill Mousoulis (Wed 24 May )
One Day at a Time: The cinema of Tsai Ming-Liang (31 May – 14 June 2023)
Everyone has their reasons: The films of Peter Bogdanovich (21 Jun – 5 Jul 2023)
Magic, Whimsy and Lightbulb Moments: Ildikó Enyedi’s transportive cinema (12–19 Jul 2023)
Power in the Collective: The key works of Merata Mita (Wed 26 Jul 2023)
Gangsters, Guns and Gauloises: French crime cinema, 1945–60 (30 Aug – 13 Sep 2023)
Lottie Lyell, Australia’s First Film Star (Wed 20 Sep 2023)
“All The World’s Bedlam”: Screwball, Czechoslovak style (27 Sep – 11 Oct 2023)
Now! Crime, politics and revolution in 1960s Brazilian cinema (18 Oct – 1 Nov 2023)
Temenos: The shared visions of Gregory J. Markopoulos and Robert Beavers (Wed 8 Nov 2023)
Behind the Screen: Kinuyo Tanaka, trailblazing filmmaker ( 15–22 Nov 2023)
Coming to Australia: Women Filmmakers and the migrant experience (Wed 29 Nov)
Ostern Powers: An introduction to the Eastern European Western (6–20 Dec 2023)
“The art is very jealous”: Tonino Guerra, Writing Images (8–22 Feb 2023)
Model and Soul: The uncompromising cinema of Robert Bresson (1–15 Mar 2023)
Plan your visit
Visitor guidelines, information on accessibility, amenities, transport, dining options and more.
Looking for dining options?
Our restaurant, cafe and bar in the heart of Fed Square features a seasonally driven menu developed by acclaimed Melbourne chef, Karen Martini.