MIFF: how the Melbourne International Film Festival began 70 years ago

MIFF will commemorate its 70th anniversary in August 2022, making it one of the worldโ€™s oldest film festivals.
Australian film buffs were thirsty to see international films from Europe and Asia. Image: supplied by the author.

Lisa French, RMIT University

Australian film buffs were thirsty to see international films from Europe and Asia, but local cinemas only screened Hollywood fare. Australian authorities would, however, allow international films to enter the country for exhibition at a film festival.

My mother was one of many who went along and had to bed down in a church hall.

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