The Board and Management of the Melbourne International Film Festival have taken the difficult decision to cancel MIFF 2020 owing to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
For 68 years, MIFF has championed the power of film to educate, entertain and inspire humanity – and to document its experiences, especially during challenging times, so the unprecedented decision to cancel the August 2020 festival, 37ºSouth Market & Accelerator Lab has not been taken lightly.
“The thought of a winter without MIFF in our city is a disorienting one; deeply disappointing to both our organisation, and I’m sure, our community” said MIFF Artistic Director Al Cossar. “It is a decision that was very hard but plainly necessary, responsible and required given what we all face together at this moment.
Our thoughts rush to those who make MIFF what it is year after year, and what it will return to be. To our partners, funders, venues, staff, suppliers, filmmakers and artists, volunteers, prized collaborators of all kinds, and our own uniquely MIFF audiences, we wish you safety and support; we will continue, together.”
MIFF is committed to the longevity and sustainability of the festival and will continue to provide compelling and community-building experiences for our audience and stakeholders into the future. And, in the absence of the festival this year, MIFF is considering other means of continuing to engage its audiences. They will share details as they become available.
The 2020 Melbourne International Film Festival was scheduled to take place 6 – 23 August. For more Information, visit: www.miff.com.au for details.
Image: courtesy of Melbourne International Film Festival