Upcoming film screenings and events in Melbourne

It's officially that time of year again when the Moonlight Cinema returns to Melbourne for the summer. There's just something special about snuggling into a bean bag and catching a film under the stars in the Royal Botanic Gardens – with an ice cream or wine in hand, of course.  Australia's favourite outdoor cinema has just dropped its first glimpse of the screening schedule, with blockbusters, nostalgic favourites and plenty of romcoms on the program. Highlights include Gladiator II, The Substance, It Ends With Us and Wicked. And the December line-up wouldn't be complete without a festive flick or two, so lovers of a Christmas film will be thrilled to see classics like The Holiday, Love Actually, Elf and Home Alone featured. Those looking to splurge can opt for either the Platinum Experience, which includes a deluxe double bean bed (including a blanket you can take home!) for two with waiter service or the Singapore Airlines Gold Grass, with a prime position in front of the screen and an exclusive menu of delicious treats. The Official Aperol Spritz Bar is also returning, so you can sip on that iconic orange cocktail all summer long. Screenings kick off at sundown and even your pooch is welcome. Tickets are now available via the website. Want more fun in the sun? Here are the best things to do in Melbourne this December.

The Peninsula Film Festival is a three-day festival of film events founded by actor and Rosebud local Steve Bastoni, and the largest outdoor film festival in Victoria. The 14th edition will take place from January 17-19, and according to Bastoni, you can expect “a rich program featuring incredible screenings, panel discussions and networking opportunities designed to celebrate the art of cinema”.  The event kicks off at Rosebud Cinema on the Friday with a screening of Unbreakable, the story of tennis star Jelena Dokic’s ascension to the world number four ranking against extraordinary odds. Stay afterwards for a chat with Ivan O’Mahoney, one of the film’s directors.  On the Saturday, the short film festival takes place under the stars near the shores of Rosebud Beach. A stellar judging panel of Aussie film and TV names will assess the shorts, including Michala Banas (Upper Middle Bogan, McLeod’s Daughters), Gary Sweet (Police Rescue, Stingers), Doris Younane (Five Bedrooms, Heartbreak High), Simone Buchanan (Neighbours, Hey Dad) and Stephen Curry (The Castle, Mr Black). General admission for the short film festival event starts from $10, or $7 for group tickets. Get yours at the Peninsula Film Festival website, or at the gate pending availability. For those wanting to learn more about filmmaking, the last day of the festival offers a workshop with experts sharing their insights into the industry. Visit the website for a detailed festival program and to purchase tickets to...

Update: unfortunately, this event has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. Picture this: a warm summer night, a big inflatable bed to lounge on, tasty food, drinks and a great movie. Sounds like the recipe for a practically perfect evening, right? Well, you can make this dream a reality when the Mov'in Bed outdoor cinema returns to our city this summer.  Having moved from its original location of St Kilda, this time around it's set to turn the District Docklands into a beachy oasis complete with pristine white sand, waterfront views, 150 comfy beds and the largest outdoor screen in the country.   From December 6, 2024 to March 30, 2025, you can catch the latest flicks like The Joker: Folie a Deux and Gladiator II, as well as festive classics like Home Alone – with more to be announced. The only catch is you need to be speedy – there are usually only 150 queen size beds per night (accommodating up to three people – cosy). If you don’t mind sitting on the sand, you can BYO blanket, and the tickets are cheaper. Ticket prices range from $12 to $119. The cinema gate opens at 6pm, with the movie starting at around sunset (which is around 8.30pm). The season runs from Saturday, January 4 until Sunday, February 23. Screenings run Wednesdays to Sundays.  Love a flick under the stars? Here are the best outdoor cinemas in Melbourne.