These Major Australian Festivals Have Gone Virtual for 2020
The states may be slowly opening up but social-distancing regulations mean large-scale festivals will have to wait. Nothing, however, is stopping them from going online. Yes, some of our favourite festivals are offering packed virtual programs that are almost like the real thing, minus the crowds.
Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2020: Online Edition
WHEN 25-30 May, 2020
WHAT The organisers have curated a jam-packed program of live online sessions hosted by some of the biggest names in the industry, including Neil Perry, Massimo Bottura, Ben Shewry and René Redzepi of Noma, Copenhagen. You will be taken on virtual tours of iconic kitchens, learn chef’s secrets and even test your knowledge with food trivia. And it isn’t all virtual: you can access special products, offers and discounts on delicious food from festival partners at the online marketplace.
TICKETS This is not a ticketed event – content will be streamed live on Instagram via different accounts. The full program, including where to watch, can be found here.
67th Sydney Film Festival: Virtual Edition and Awards
WHEN 10-21 June, 2020
WHAT Following in the footsteps of other major international film festivals like Cannes and Sundance, the Sydney Film Festival will keep the show going with a program of online screenings focused on Australian documentaries and local short films. For the first time ever, the program will be available across Australia and will be hosted on the New Zealand startup platform Shift72 to stream all films. The official program of 30 films will be released on 27 May 2020.
TICKETS On sale 27 May at sff.org.au
Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF 68½)
WHEN 6-23 August, 2020
WHAT The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) organisers have relaunched the festival to run on the same dates but now known as “MIFF 68½” – described by the organisers as “a reimagined celebration of cinema online, featuring a suite of films and special events.” The new program will comprise around 40 feature films, including ones that were to run in the original festival plus a selection of new discoveries from emerging creators. The organisers have also indicated there will be virtual versions of their regular social events. MIFF 68½ will also be powered by the Shift72 ticketing and streaming technology. The full program will be released on 14 July 2020.
TICKETS Tickets will be on sale at miff.com.au soon.
