Live courtyard music, Muriel’s Wedding, retro doubles and more: summer sizzles at the NFSA

As summer heats up, the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) becomes the coolest place in town with an exciting program of culture-shaping films, nostalgic hits, family-friendly matinee screenings, a vibrant evening program and courtyard activations.

“Movies are a popular pastime in the cooler months, but we’re really keen to showcase a whole range of reasons why the NFSA is the place to be for summer,” NFSA program coordinator Aiden Delaney says.

Much-loved Australian classic Muriel’s Wedding opens the Summer Film Series on Wednesday 4 December, newly restored through NFSA Restores for its 30th anniversary.

Special guests for the digital restoration’s premiere at NFSA’s Arc Cinema include popular ABBA tribute act Björn Again, performing live in the courtyard, and a Q&A with key members of the filmmaking team.

The Hot Summer Nights series sizzles on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through January.

On these days, the courtyard comes alive with free live music and DJ sets from 6 pm including Tsotsi and Femme Normale, followed by screenings of a diverse range of films to capture the “vivid intensity of summer heat”.

“We look at everything from classic steamy romances to films about surfing and those exploring rich cultural topics,” Aidan says. “Think nostalgic favourites like Grease and Dirty Dancing but also thought-provoking dramas like Samson & Delilah.”

This sultry series is followed by a dedicated school holiday matinee program that leans the other way.

The Cool Holidays program features kids’ blockbusters including Frozen and Ice Age, Australian animations Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two and the ever-popular Studio Ghibli favourites, served alongside locally roasted coffee, sandwiches and sweet treats.

“In this series we’re putting an emphasis on the NFSA as a place for families to escape the heat, get into the aircon and see some ‘cool’ themed films,” Aidan says.

February reintroduces another highlight when Pizza + Pyjamas resumes with a family-friendly screening of Tim Burton’s Oscar-winning animation Corpse Bride.

The Summer Film Series includes a rich selection of international films – from thought-provoking Japanese animations to reimaginings of iconic Middle Eastern folktales and contemplative Korean dramas.

Retro double features will include Burton’s contributions to the Batman franchise, as well as Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein, in which the monster is famously portrayed by Boris Karloff in James Whale’s genre-defining horror films.

Other crowd-pleasers in the Summer Film Series include a trio of wedding favourites: acclaimed British comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral, nostalgic romp The Wedding Singer and 1950s Fred Astaire classic Royal Wedding.

For rom-com enthusiasts, the program also celebrates the collaboration between writer-director Nora Ephron and actor Meg Ryan, with screenings of When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You’ve Got Mail.

Continuing partner series include Cult Classics with Canberra mainstay Venus Mantrap, who will join audiences for a 40th anniversary screening of The Terminator and Book Club at the NFSA in partnership with Canberra Writers Festival, with special guest screenwriter Dr James McNamara.

NFSA chief experience officer Chris Mercer says summer will showcase the ways in which the national audiovisual cultural institution has opened up, making more of its spaces available in diverse ways.

“Our Summer Film Series offers a diverse selection of Australian and international titles for all audiences, with opportunities to explore the NFSA’s award-winning heritage building and enjoy the warmer weather in our revitalised courtyard,” he says.

“We look forward to featuring local and visiting artists and DJs alongside our evening film program and continuing to host thought-provoking cultural conversations that enrich and extend the cinema experience.”

To see the full program and buy tickets visit the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.