MIFF: International films tour Melbourne's cinemas

The 73rd Melbourne International Film Festival premieres with new Rose Byrne film, Matthew Parkhill reports.

Attendees at the MIFF opening gala night Thursday night rubbed shoulders with the cast and crew of the US director Mary Bronstein's new film, If I Had Legs I'd Kick You, starring Aussie Rose Bryne. A dark comedy about the crushing weight of life on a tired therapist, the A24 production saw Byrne winning a best actress award at the Berlin International Film Festival, featuring cameos from Conan O'Brien and ASAP Rocky.

Following the premiere, hundreds of international films are touring Melbourne's cinemas in competition for cash prizes and lauded accolades in front of MIFF's panels of judges. Metro screenings begin from the 8th of August until the 25th, with regional screenings of select films showing from the 15th to the 17th and the 22nd to the 24th of August.

Movie fans can expect films from across the globe, including premieres, restorations of cult classics, award winners in the run for an Oscar nomination, and homegrown cinema. MIFF's Artistic Director, Al Cossar, says there's something for everyone at one of the biggest annual film festivals in the world. "The screens are lit and the floodgates are open once again for Victoria's most epic celebration of filmmaking and movie-going," he said.

"From presenting the world's biggest annual festival showcase of Australian film, to highly anticipated new titles direct from Cannes, Sundance and beyond; as well as bold new breakthrough discoveries waiting to be made, MIFF presents a world of imagination this August for audiences through Melbourne, and right across Victoria.”

Four films from MIFF's Premiere Fund will also feature across Melbourne's cinemas this weekend, funded in part by MIFF for their unique and diverse themes and genres. Last year's Left Write Hook by Shannon Owen and featuring Dr Donna Lyon went on to win the Australian International Documentary Conference.

Colin Brooks, the Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, welcomed the festival back to Melbourne and said the Allan Labor government were proud to back the festival and awards.

"Melbourne International Film Festival is Australia’s largest film festival, and it continues to bring courageous, challenging and cutting-edge cinema from around the world to Victorian audiences each year," he said.

"The Allan Labor Government is proud to back the festival along with this year’s Bright Horizons Award – a career-changing prize for first and second-time filmmakers – that strengthens MIFF’s status as one of the world’s top film events.”

Expect to see reviews of some of MIFF's biggest films on The Burne.