Documentary Screenings Melbourne

Filmonik Meetup and screening #131

Filmonik Melbourne is an open filmmaking group with monthly open-screen screenings. It's like an open mic, but for films. Meet at Eclipse on Tuesday September 29th for our 131st screening. It's our proven mix of immediate, spontaneous, crafty, fun, inventive and weird short films. You should expect comedies, a bit of drama, animation from time to time, there's generally one suspense/thriller, the occasional music video, some quick and fun trashy comedy, horror or documentary. Most times we don't even know what will be playing. Films are generally under 8 minutes to keep things fast-paced and fun, followed by a QA with the director to hear about the process. Enjoy the networking, meet the artisans, recruit for your next short film, hang out. **DETAILS:** Admission $13+fees = $13.83. Tickets at the door if still available ($15 cash exact change, or Square) FILMS UNRATED (18+ by default). Content may offend. TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29 at Eclipse Cinema 32 Wellington Street, Collingwood. Tickets at https://events.humanitix.com/filmonik-131-open-screen-short-films This is an accessible venue, DDA-compliant. 6pm start. Please arrive in advance so we can start at 6:15pm at the latest. Eclipse is Licensed to serve a range of quality wines & craft beers and has homemade Choc Tops, popcorn or sweets. **FILMMAKERS:** Our open-screen get pretty popular these days so the best practice is submitting in advance at filmonik.com.au/submit-your-film or [info@filmonik.com.au](mailto:info@filmonik.com.au) so we can reserve you a spot in the program. Films under 4-minutes get close-to-automatic entry, 4-8 minutes films are scheduled first-come first-serve until the allocated time is full. Anything over 10 minutes go into a queue and may get held up until there's a quiet month and we run quality control on these. A QA with the host follows each film. Organize your own premiere with us or run a cheeky pre-premiere of your festival film. Guidelines here: filmonik.com.au/how-to-screen. Filmonik is part of the worldwide Kino movement active in 30+ cities around the world since 1999.

Frederick Wiseman: Aspen & Welfare

Join us for a discussion of two films by legendary documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman: Aspen (1991) and Welfare (1975). This is a discussion, not a screening. Please watch both films beforehand, and come ready to share your thoughts. From the wealthy ski resort world of Aspen to the bureaucracy and human encounters of Welfare, Wiseman observes people and institutions without narration or explanation. We’ll discuss his distinctive observational style, class and power, institutional life, and how he creates meaning simply through filming and editing what unfolds in front of the camera. A relaxed but serious conversation for anyone interested in documentary, cinema, and the strange complexity of everyday social life.

Penguin Island 3D at IMAX Melbourne

Join me for a relaxed Sunday morning at IMAX Melbourne to watch **Penguin Island 3D**, a nature documentary about penguins on the giant IMAX screen. We'll meet outside the IMAX Melbourne gates at 9:30am to say hi, head inside together at 9:40am to find seats, and the documentary starts at 10:00am. It finishes around 10:45am, and that's where the meetup ends. This is a casual social meetup so we can watch it together. It isn't run by or affiliated with IMAX Melbourne. Please book your own ticket directly with IMAX. An RSVP here doesn't include entry. **Who this is for** * Anyone who loves nature documentaries, wildlife, or penguins * Anyone after an easy, low-key weekend activity * Solo attendees are very welcome, and plenty of people come on their own **Links** * Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/jBTeWUUmTjwMvNit5 * Penguin Island 3D (IMAX Melbourne): https://web.imaxmelbourne.com.au/films/Penguin-Island-3D/HO00000627 * Tickets for this session: https://web.imaxmelbourne.com.au/order/showtimes/IMAX-23217/tickets * Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0tNUBZMb_8 **Timeline** * 9:30am – Meet outside the IMAX Melbourne gates and say hi * 9:40am – Head inside the IMAX building and get seated * 10:00am – Documentary starts * 10:45am – Documentary ends and the meetup finishes **Tickets / cost** * Please buy your own ticket for the 10:00am session on Sunday 20 September using the ticket link above. * Seating for documentaries is unallocated, so it's first in, best dressed. If you'd like to sit with the group, arrive by 9:30am. * Booking ahead is recommended so you don't miss out. **Bring** * Your ticket (on your phone or printed) * A light layer in case the cinema is cool **Expect** * Vibe: Relaxed, friendly and low-key * Group style: Quick hello out the front, then we head in and watch together **Important notes** * A Meetup RSVP is not a ticket and doesn't guarantee entry. Please book directly with IMAX Melbourne. * Seating is unallocated, so we can only sit together if we head in as a group. Please be on time if you'd like to join us. * Please follow IMAX Melbourne's rules and staff instructions on the day. * If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear.

COMICS FESTIVAL SHOWCASE

They have made regular appearances on Rove Live, 9am with David & Kim , Spicks and Specks, The Glass House, Thank God You're Here, The Project, & Good News Week We have a VIP Guest list under "MEET UP" with our own private tables this is where we will meet. We can meet for dinner before hand at 7pm or just for drinks at 7.30pm just before the show. Friends and family are also welcome to put their hand up for tickets. Plenty of parking. Tickets are $5 (Normally $15) pay at the door on arrival.

Interstellar on the Big Screen at Cinema Nova

Join me for Christopher Nolan's *Interstellar* on the big screen at Cinema Nova in Carlton. Cinema Nova is running this as one of their **Movie Epics**, and this is exactly the kind of film that deserves a proper cinema — the wormhole, the water planet, the docking scene, and Hans Zimmer's organ score at full volume. We'll meet at the Cinema Nova ticket booth at 6:00pm to say hello and put faces to names, then head out around 6:15pm to grab dinner from the shops along Lygon Street before the film. There's plenty to choose from and it's a short walk either way, so we'll keep it relaxed and be back in good time. The film starts at 7:00pm and runs 169 minutes, so we'll be out around 10:00pm and the meetup wraps up there. This is a casual social meetup so we can go along together — it isn't run by or affiliated with Cinema Nova. Please book your own ticket directly with them; an RSVP here does not include entry. I've booked **Cinema 3, seat D-12**, so pick a seat nearby if you'd like to sit with the group. **Who this is for** * Anyone who loves sci-fi, Nolan, or big-screen spectacle * People who've seen it a dozen times and people seeing it for the first time * Anyone who'd rather watch it with a bit of company than alone at home * Coming solo? Very welcome — plenty of people do **Links** * Meetup start point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/QX7Vn7Pq1Q14oeY86 * Film page at Cinema Nova: https://www.cinemanova.com.au/films/interstellar * Book tickets (Tue 29 Sep, 7:00pm session): https://ticketing.cinemanova.com.au/Ticketing/visSelectTickets.aspx?cinemacode=1&txtSessionId=391645 * Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm8p5rlrSkY **Timeline** * 6:00pm – Meet at the Cinema Nova ticket booth and say hello * 6:15pm – Head out for dinner from the nearby Lygon Street shops * 7:00pm – Film starts * \~10:00pm – Film ends and the meetup finishes **Tickets / cost** * Please book your own ticket for the **Tuesday 29 September, 7:00pm** session using the link above. * I'm booked in **Cinema 3, seat D-12** — grab something in row D or nearby if you'd like to sit with the group. * Book in advance if you can — good seats near each other go early, and popular sessions can sell out. * Dinner is at your own cost. **Transport** * Cinema Nova is on Lygon Street in Carlton, an easy walk from the city or a short tram ride. * Street parking around Carlton is limited and metered in the evening, so public transport is usually the easier option. **Bring** * Your booked ticket (on your phone is fine) * Money or card for dinner and snacks * A jumper — cinemas can run cold **Expect** * Difficulty: none, it's a movie * Pace: relaxed * Vibe: friendly and low-pressure, easy to join solo * Group style: casual chat before the film, then quiet once it starts **Important notes** * Cinema Nova lists this film as rated **M** — science fiction themes and infrequent coarse language. * Running time is 169 minutes with no interval, so plan accordingly. * A Meetup RSVP is not a ticket and doesn't guarantee entry — you'll need to book your own. * This meetup isn't affiliated with, endorsed by, or organised by Cinema Nova. Please follow their rules and staff instructions on the night. * Please arrive on time — once the film starts I won't be able to check the foyer for latecomers. * If your plans change, please update your RSVP so numbers stay clear. **Other info** * If you'd rather skip dinner and just meet us for the film, come find the group in the foyer from about 6:45pm.

Thought Experiment: A What-if Scenario Event

**THOUGHT EXPERIMENT: Judgement Day** **Arc:** Apocalypse **Keywords:** Survival, Morality, Sacrifice, Judgment, Responsibility The sirens have begun. A nuclear strike has been confirmed. In one hour, the city will be consumed by nuclear fire. Beneath the streets lies a forgotten Cold War bunker. It has power. It has supplies. It has enough air, food and water to keep a handful of people alive. But not everyone will make it inside. The clock is already running. Who should be saved? The strongest? The youngest? The most useful? The most innocent? Who deserves another day? And who gets judged expendable? At first, survival may seem like a simple question. Then the group begins to learn who these people actually are. Every new piece of information changes the decision. Every argument has consequences. And as the final minutes disappear, the difference between saving someone and condemning someone becomes increasingly difficult to justify. **When there isn't room for everyone, how do you decide who lives?** Welcome to **Thought Experiment**, a meetup where we explore large “What if…?” scenarios through discussion, role-play and difficult decisions. Each session places the group inside one unfolding story. New information is revealed in phases, forcing participants to reconsider what they believe about morality, responsibility, survival, sacrifice and human nature. Some people bring research. Others bring instinct, imagination and personal values. There are no perfect answers. The aim is curiosity, disagreement and the uncomfortable moment when a simple answer stops feeling simple. **Judgement Day** is part of our **Apocalypse** arc — stories about humanity pushed beyond ordinary rules, where survival comes at a cost and people are forced to decide what, and who, they are prepared to sacrifice. This event is for curious minds of all kinds: students, professionals, creatives, science-fiction fans, psychological-thriller fans, philosophy lovers or anyone who enjoys thinking differently. ## Event Details 📍 **Father’s Office QV** 🕒 **Saturday 19 September · 3 PM start** 👥 **Small-group event: 6–14 people** 🌐 **Tickets:** [https://thoughtexperiment.au](https://thoughtexperiment.au) ⌛ **Find the table with the hourglass.** Please RSVP, as places are limited. We ask everyone to purchase a drink or food from the venue. Conversational English is required to get the most from the discussion. ## Format * Introduction and private roles * An unfolding survival scenario * Moral and ethical decisions * Small-group discussion * Hidden information * New information revealed in phases * A countdown that continues throughout the story * Difficult choices with unforeseen consequences * Final reveal * Debrief and optional birthday dinner/drinks afterwards * No right answers, just curiosity, debate and one increasingly uncomfortable question: **Who deserves another day?**

50+ Filmmakers/Actors Gather Every Wednesday - Join Us!

Join us every **Wednesday at 5 PM** at the Emporium food court (located behind Grill’d Burger Restaurant in the CBD, not near Melbourne Station) for a dynamic networking event tailored for filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts. Afterward, we continue the evening with Happy Hour drinks at a nearby bar and a chance to grab dinner together. Understanding that schedules vary, feel free to join at any time that suits you. Rain or shine, our community has gathered every week for the past year, maintaining a consistent and welcoming environment. Our group has grown remarkably, with a **weekly turnout of over 50 participants**, blending newcomers with regulars to create a vibrant, diverse community. Feel free to bring friends interested in filmmaking; it’s a great way to introduce new faces to our expanding network. Whether you’re a writer, actor, animator, or independent filmmaker, come share your experiences, discuss current projects, or chat about favorite films. This event fosters connections among like-minded individuals, encourages friendships, and opens doors for collaboration. At **7 PM**, we move to 'Champagne Problems', a five-minute walk away, where we continue networking in a more formal setting over drinks and food. This change of venue offers an ideal environment to keep conversations flowing. **RSVP** to help us gauge attendance and become part of a growing network of film professionals and enthusiasts. Though the event begins in the afternoon, the relationships you build here can last well into the night and beyond. **What to Expect:** *Our Wednesday meetup is primarily a large networking event for industry professionals. There’s no set theme, workshop, or speaker. It’s a relaxed gathering where filmmakers, actors, and creatives can connect, discuss projects, share needs, and learn from each other. Conversations flow freely around the table, fostering an environment of growth and camaraderie. Beyond Wednesdays, we also host exclusive events such as table reads, cinematography workshops with Panasonic, member screenings, and more. Each week brings fresh dialogues—some participants discuss their weekend shoots, others exchange insights with seasoned producers and directors, and a few engage in filmmaking exercises. It’s a space designed for creative engagement without strict structure or formal oversight.* \*Note: Our community emphasizes collaboration, friendship, and goodwill rather than promotional activities. If you wish to promote a workshop, course, screening, or similar event, please contact the organizers first. Promotional privileges are generally reserved for trusted, long-standing members.

Victorian Seniors Festival Launch and ACMI Movies

Thought Experiment: A What-if Event

**THOUGHT EXPERIMENT: Judgement Day** **Arc:** Apocalypse **Keywords:** Survival, Morality, Sacrifice, Judgment, Responsibility The sirens have begun. A nuclear strike has been confirmed. In one hour, the city will be consumed by nuclear fire. Beneath the streets lies a forgotten Cold War bunker. It has power. It has supplies. It has enough air, food and water to keep a handful of people alive. But not everyone will make it inside. The clock is already running. Who should be saved? The strongest? The youngest? The most useful? The most innocent? Who deserves another day? And who gets judged expendable? At first, survival may seem like a simple question. Then the group begins to learn who these people actually are. Every new piece of information changes the decision. Every argument has consequences. And as the final minutes disappear, the difference between saving someone and condemning someone becomes increasingly difficult to justify. **When there isn't room for everyone, how do you decide who lives?** Welcome to **Thought Experiment**, a meetup where we explore large “What if…?” scenarios through discussion, role-play and difficult decisions. Each session places the group inside one unfolding story. New information is revealed in phases, forcing participants to reconsider what they believe about morality, responsibility, survival, sacrifice and human nature. Some people bring research. Others bring instinct, imagination and personal values. There are no perfect answers. The aim is curiosity, disagreement and the uncomfortable moment when a simple answer stops feeling simple. **Condemned** is part of our **Fallen Futures** arc — stories about humanity pushed beyond ordinary rules, where survival comes at a cost and people are forced to decide what, and who, they are prepared to sacrifice. This event is for curious minds of all kinds: students, professionals, creatives, science-fiction fans, psychological-thriller fans, philosophy lovers or anyone who enjoys thinking differently. ## Event Details 📍 **Father’s Office QV** 🕒 **Saturday 19 September · 3 PM start** 👥 **Small-group event: 6–14 people** 🌐 **Tickets:** [https://thoughtexperiment.au](https://thoughtexperiment.au) ⌛ **Find the table with the hourglass.** Please RSVP, as places are limited. We ask everyone to purchase a drink or food from the venue. Conversational English is required to get the most from the discussion. ## Format * Introduction and private roles * An unfolding survival scenario * Moral and ethical decisions * Small-group discussion * Hidden information * New information revealed in phases * A countdown that continues throughout the story * Difficult choices with unforeseen consequences * Final reveal * Debrief and optional birthday dinner/drinks afterwards * No right answers, just curiosity, debate and one increasingly uncomfortable question: **Who deserves another day?**

Magda Szubanski: I Can't Tell You But I Will

Pentridge Palace cinema

🍜Asian Background Social: Lounge Asia Melbourne (Easy English) 6pm

Why People Love Lounge Asia 🍜 Asian-focused event 🤝 Many guests come alone 💬 No need for perfect English 🌏 No games or forced introductions — just enjoy the conversation Lounge Asia began within the Asian community, so people from Asia often feel comfortable and at home here. At the same time, everyone is welcome — locals, expats, travellers, students, returnees, digital nomads, and globally minded people. ━━━━━━━━━━ How to Join 1️⃣ Tap "RSVP" on this page 2️⃣ Show your Meetup QR code at reception 3️⃣ Collect your name tag and start meeting people ✅ Early RSVP is free ✅ RSVPs made within 24 hours of the event start time are $5 ✅ Limited capacity — please RSVP early Many people attend alone, so don't worry if it's your first time. ━━━━━━━━━━ How to Find Us 📍 Venue La Di Da 577 Little Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000 ⏰ Start Time — Melbourne Local Time 6:00 pm ⚠️ Important: This is the local time in Melbourne. Meetup may display Brisbane time or another time zone, so please follow the local time shown above. ━━━━━━━━━━ 🍺 Please Support the Venue This event is free or low-cost because the venue supports our community. Please purchase at least one drink during the event. Your support helps us keep organising events at great venues. ━━━━━━━━━━ 💚 Please Be Respectful Lounge Asia is a friendly social event where everyone should feel comfortable and welcome. 🚫 This is NOT a pickup or dating event. Anyone who makes others uncomfortable may be removed immediately. Not allowed: harassment, unwanted attention, MLM / crypto / religious recruitment, or anything that makes others uncomfortable. Organisers reserve the right to refuse entry or ask anyone to leave. 🪪 A valid government-issued photo ID is strictly required for entry. No photo ID, no entry. Driver's licences must be issued by the government of the country where the event is held. 📸 Photos and short videos may be taken for community and promotional purposes. If you prefer not to appear, please let an organiser know when you arrive. ━━━━━━━━━━ Lounge Asia is already growing in Australia and is now expanding across Asia — Japan, Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore. Our goal is simple: More friendship, more understanding, and more genuine connections across cultures. 📱 Join the Lounge Asia Australia WhatsApp Group Stay connected with the Lounge Asia community after the event. ✅ Hear about upcoming Lounge Asia events ✅ Meet local and international people ✅ Stay connected with people you meet ✅ Receive community news and event updates [👉 Join the WhatsApp group:](https://chat.whatsapp.com/CJV5i6FQMc7DVXezkJUUib) 📱 Instagram: @_lounge_asia [🎥 Watch Event Video:](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNak_cu9CXw) [👉 GET VIP ACCESS:](https://forms.gle/t6GXAjTNFECetVuZ8) ━━━━━━━━━━ 🌏 Come say hi! Hey, come hang out! 来一起玩吧！ 一起來聊天吧！ 気軽に遊びに来てね！ 편하게 놀러 와요! มาเจอกันนะ! Tới chơi nha! Tara, sali ka na! Yuk, gabung! လာပြီး အတူပျော်ကြရအောင်! មកលេងជាមួយគ្នាណា! ມາພົບກັນເດີ້! Хамтдаа цуглацгаая! Komm einfach vorbei! Jom join kita! See you at Lounge Asia!