The lighted exterior of the NFSA building in Canberra at night

https://www.nfsa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/NFSA%20at%20night_hero.jpg

A Night at the Movies

A Night at the Movies: A School Group Movie Experience

An Exclusive Experience for Schools

The NFSA offers evening screenings of Australian films exclusively for school groups. Complete with preshow entertainment from the national collection, and a sweet treat, book your school in for a night at the movies like no other.

Bring your school group to our historic Theatrette to enjoy a personalised movie experience. 

Before the feature film plays, we'll take students on a visual journey behind the scenes, seeing how films are screened and learning about the history of film projection in Australia.

We have also selected some classic advertisements from the NFSA collection to screen before the movie, offering your students a quick walk down memory lane.

Tickets also include a sweet treat for them to enjoy.

Please note: This program is not available to the general public but is exclusively for school groups. For other screenings at the NFSA, see our regular program of screenings and events.

School night films

In 2025 we will screen the following films:

A girl wearing a school uniform crouches down and shakes the paw of dog while sitting in a bush setting — *Runt*

Runt (2024, PG, 92 mins)
Director: John Sheedy
Starring: Jai Courtney, Deborah Mailman, Jack Thompson, Sarah Roberts, Celeste Barber

Follow eleven-year-old Annie Shearer and her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt, as they try to save their family farm in the country town of Upson Downs.

A woman wearing a wetsuit pats the head of a girl wearing a wetsuit as they walk by the ocean — *Blueback*

Blueback (2022, PG, 102 mins)
Director: Robert Connolly 
Starring: Radha Mitchell, Eric Bana, Mia Wasikowska, Ilsa Fogg, Pedrea Jackson

Abby befriends a wild blue groper and becomes inspired to protect the world’s coral reefs.

Based on the popular novel by Tim Winton.

A boy wearing a green shirt is running outside and smiling — *Windcatcher*

Windcatcher (2024, PG, 80 mins)
Director: Tanith Glynn-Maloney
Starring: Pia Miranda, Jessica Mauboy, Kelton Pell, Jessica McNamee, Lennox Monaghan

Percy Boy Collins and his eclectic crew of friends outsmart a gang of bullies to triumph at their school’s athletics carnival, emerging as heroes of their own epic adventure.

A primary school aged boy seated in a classroom focused intently on a paper plane which he is holding in his hands, ready to aim. — *Paper Planes*

Paper Planes (2015, G, 96 mins)
Director: Robert Connolly
Starring: Sam Worthington, Ed Oxenbould, Deborah Mailman, David Wenham

Dylan discovers he has a knack for making paper planes. To compete in the world championship, he'll have to help rally his grieving dad and face bullies and self-doubt. 

Register here for information from the NFSA about onsite and digital excursions, special events, teacher professional learning updates and more.

Details and bookings

What: A Night at the Movies

Where: Onsite in the NFSA's Theatrette

When: Mondays to Thursdays 7:15pm. Screenings last for approximately two hours.

Cost*: $12 per student (minimum 50, maximum 105), including sweet treat.
*If your group is fewer than 50 students or greater than 105, contact us at learning@nfsa.gov.au to discuss options.

Films: Schools should indicate which film they would like to see when booking or when confirming the booking one month before the event.

Supervision: This program is not supervised or facilitated by NFSA staff, and teachers must supervise.

Food and drink: Chips, popcorn or biscuits are not permitted in the cinema. All drinks must have a lid to reduce the risk of spills. Schools should take all rubbish with them and dispose of it in the bins provided.

Book: Please book via the Book Canberra Excursions website.

Students may be dropped off and picked up directly in front of the NFSA building on McCoy Circuit for this program. Please refer to the NFSA Venue and Safety Information for School Excursions for additional information.

Australian films