The Filmonik & MDFF Documentary Kino-Kabaret intro night

This Meetup is open to everyone but is mainly for participants to The Filmonik Melbourne and Melbourne Documentary Film Festival Kino-Kabaret (or in short the Filmonik+MDFF Kabaret). If you want to hang out and get information about the whole event you're welcome to do so from 6:30pm but at 7:30pm the presentations will start with only the registered participants.

The Filmonik+MDFF Kabaret is a Thursday July 10 to Sunday July 13 2025 72-hour session of creative, spontaneous, collaborative documentary filmmaking starting with the main Production Meeting and kickoff party at Moon Dog OG 17 Duke St, Abbotsford VIC 3067. Participants with a ticket can check-in from 6:30pm. Anyone without a ticket can consider the evening as an info session and is welcome to hang out from 6:30pm. At 7:30pm every Kino-Kabaret participant with a ticket will be invited to present their project and/or what they can contribute to other projects.

This Kabaret is a collaboration with the Melbourne Documentary Film Fest to celebrate their 10-year anniversary. With short documentaries being made over 72 hours, it is expected that filmmakers will come a bit more prepared than usual, with ideas ready to execute, and the weekend is all about learning new skills with peers, gathering cast and crew, and getting it done.

Preso tips:

• Directors: The audience will like to know if you are looking to brainstorm, have fun and have ideas emerge or if you already have a film in mind, but stay vague, 1 minute is enough for a pitch or a quick casting call but not to explain your entire project yet. You will get to have specific requests at the Kinolab and on your presentation sheet.
• Actors/actresses: Casually talk about your wishes in casting. Talking about specialties like martial arts, dance, contortions, extra languages, etc. will definitely help.
• Sound recordists / sound mixers: Just show up and prepare for the onslaught. You will be busy and loved.
• DOPs and Post-production: Editors, VFX artists, colourists, etc.. you will be busy too but later in the process. It’s a good occasion to go to an early shoot, and get involved in the production side of things.