A YEAR OF BIG IDEAS AND BOLD STORYTELLING

How to Train Your Dragon. Photo Universal Pictures. 

As 2025 comes to an end, savour the moment by looking back at the bold and inspiring films, TV shows, games and events that were produced and presented right here in Victoria to international acclaim. 

BLOCKBUSTERS BREAKING THE BOX OFFICE

Dragons took over Melbourne in winter with the release of How to Train Your Dragon’s live-action remake; taking flight with creature VFX by Melbourne-based studio Framestore.  

Melbourne’s capacity to deliver award-winning VFX has expanded with international studio Wētā FX, who worked on Better Man, choosing to base their Australian headquarters in Victoria. 

Produced by Princess Pictures and directed and written by Victorian filmmaker Michael Shanks, the horror feature Together premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Starring real-life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie, key scenes were filmed at Docklands Studios Melbourne as well as locations across the state, including Olinda, Sassafras, Port Melbourne and Melbourne’s CBD. Distributed theatrically by Neon in the U.S. and Kismet Movies in Australia, the Guardian described the film as a “convincingly gory argument for being single”. 

Alison Brie and Dave Franco in Together. Photo Neon. 

The horrors persist with Blumhouse Production’s VP of Development in features, Ryan Turek, participating in a VicScreen masterclass, generously sharing his experience producing the Insidious franchise, with filming underway for the sixth edition here in Victoria.  

WOMEN LEADING DRAMAS AS BOOKS SHAPED THE SMALL SCREEN

Popular Netflix limited series Apple Cider Vinegar became a global hit. Taking advantage of the unique quirks and character of Melbourne’s CBD and surrounding suburbs, the series tells the story of scam artist Belle Gibson, played by American actress Kaitlyn Dever with a convincing Australian accent. 

Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson in Apple Cider Vinegar. Photo Netflix. 

Books were brought to life on the small screen, including Sally Hepworth’s The Family Next Door, Jane Harper’s The Survivors and Andrea Mara’s All Her Fault. Teresa Palmer and Sarah Snook lead the suburban-set mysteries The Family Next Door and All Her Fault, which both achieved strong streaming numbers on ABC iview and Peacock respectively.  

Duke McCloud as Milo, Sarah Snook as Marissa. Photographer credit: Sarah Enticknap. 

LOCAL SCREEN TALENT AND ORIGINAL STORIES GAINING AN INTERNATIONAL PLATFORM

The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) continues to provide a global platform for local filmmakers, attracting a viewership of 183,445 across 988 sessions. 

Pasa Faho was the first completed project from VicScreen’s Originate Features and, since premiering at MIFF, has been selected for the Chicago International Film Festival, Africa International Film Festival (where it took home the Best International Feature Film Award) and International Film Festival of India. 

James J. Robinson’s feature film debut First Light will have its international premiere at the Marrakech Film Festival after appearing at MIFF. 

VicScreen, MIFF and the Australian Football League (AFL) presented Footy Shorts, a series of short films that brought the Australian love of football to the big screen. Premiering at MIFF, the films are now available to watch on the AFL’s website. 

Legend of Australian cinema, Yolŋu actor David Gulpilil, has his final wish documented in MIFF selected film, Journey Home, David Gulpilil. Gulpilil has been featured in internationally-acclaimed films, including Rabbit-Proof Fence.

This year’s Birrarangga Film Festival, which celebrates global Indigenous films, attracted 3,800 cinema goers across 169 films and 11 venues. Plus, acclaimed filmmaker Ivan Sen (Beneath Clouds) presented a three-hour masterclass, providing invaluable insight as one of Australia’s most renowned Indigenous storytellers.   

CREATURES RUNNING AMUCK

Victoria’s capability in children’s production is put on show with Knee High Spies, which was broadcast on the ABC this year. The series was made by the award-winning team from Werner Film Production, and directed by Emmy winner Jack Jameson from Sesame Street. 

Animated series Do Not Watch This Show, based on the books by comedian and television presenter Andy Lee, achieved unprecedented numbers for the launch of a new ABC show in the Childrens & Family category. Reaching 115 million minutes viewed in 3 months on ABC iview, the show promptly received a second series order. 

Wizz from Do Not Watch This Show. Photo Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 

GAME ON

VicScreen’s annual games market, Play Now, continues to attract international and local publishers, platform holders and investors keen to acquire exciting new games from Australian developers. In its third year, 21 publishers attended with 78 projects pitched.

Victoria continues to showcase its creativity in games. Letters to Arralla and Nanomon prove fun can be found in even the most endearing, byte-sized characters, while survival-horror game Dead Static Drive and thrilling mystery Call of the Golden Valley take players on the adventure of a lifetime.  

Year on year, Victoria continues to showcase that it’s a thriving screen city. Keep an eye out for new production, games and event announcements in 2026 by subscribing to our e-news.