The Weekender: August 21 – 23
CHECK out the Melbourne Writers Festival, support student art at Mudfest, consider making a change in your life or learn more about Arabian filmmakers. Trinh Le brings you this weekend’s biggest festivals to visit.
Melbourne Writers Festival
August 20 – August 30 (Various times) | Various locations in Melbourne
You don’t need to be a writer to fully enjoy the annual Melbourne Writers Festival. Bringing together more than 500 writers from Australia and around the world, this year’s theme for the festival is “For Everyone Who Reads”.
Listen to amazing 17 Minute Stories told by an Afghan refugee, a physics professor who started the world’s longest-running experiment, or a freelance writer who furnished questions for the Dalai Lama.
Meet your favourite authors in person, or discover 30 emerging writers under 30. Watch movie screenings followed by book talks, or contemplate the French Illustration exhibition at Sofitel Melbourne.
Bookings and tickets apply to some events, but there are a lot of FREE activities for book lovers.
Find out more about author’s talks, exhibitions and workshops at the Melbourne Writers Festival’s official website.
Mudfest 2015
August 20 – August 29 (Various times) | University of Melbourne, Parkville
Mudfest is an arts festival like no other. Organised by University of Melbourne Student Union every two years, the event is entirely run by students for students. What’s more is the festival just so happens to be the largest student-run arts festival in the country.
Mudfest 2015 will showcase a rich portfolio of more than 70 original artworks, spanning across music, dance, theatre, installation, and even Chinese martial arts.
Watch out for A Night Under Bunjil, Behind the Ping Pong, Shakespeare Open Mic Night, Wushu Workshop and so much more.
Get ready for a week full of sights and sounds and find out what else is going on by visiting Mudfest’s official website.
Festival of Change
Saturday, August 22 (10.00am – 6.00pm) | 25 Victoria St, Fitzroy
Uncertain about your future, or in need of some inspiration for your career pathways?
Be inspired this weekend by the Festival of Change where informative talks by industry leaders in business, marketing, design, hospitality, health and beauty will help you make a change in life.
Get hands-on experiments on what you would like to change in your life with interesting workshops on photoshoot, typography, naturopathy, and even Tibetan singing bowls!
Keynote speakers include actor Damon Gameau of That Sugar Film, editor Jo Walker of frankie magazine, and creative director Cathryn Wills of Mimco.
Book your FREE ticket and see the list of workshops on Festival of Change’s official website.
Arab Film Festival Australia
August 21 – August 23 (Various times) | Cinema Nova (380 Lygon St, Carlton)
Arab Film Festival Australia kicks off this weekend with eight films that showcase the quality of filmmaking emanating from the region.
See films like In the Sands of Babylon which takes place during the Gulf War in 1991, the heartwarming family drama Ghadi and the road-trip film From A to B.
Tickets start from $15.50 for students, which can be easily booked online.
For the list of all the films and information on how you can secure your tickets, visit Arab Film Festival Australia’s official website.