A roaring universe of frights and delights awaits at ACMI this spring, as a four-day festival celebrating the 70th anniversary of Godzilla takes over the building from 31 October – 3 November 2024.
GodzillaFest will unleash an action-packed line-up of free and ticketed activities, including films, talks, trivia, videogames, and an after-hours Halloween bash, transforming ACMI into the ultimate destination for kaiju fanatics.
The all-ages extravaganza will trace the monster’s mighty footprint across screen and popular culture, giving insight into the craft behind the colossal cultural icon – exactly 70 years after the release of the first film.
On November 3, 1954, Godzilla awakened from a deep slumber and stomped his way into cinematic history when Ishirō Honda’s box-office-breaking film opened in Japan. Audiences were captivated by the storytelling and visual effects, and equally hushed by the film’s timely anti-nuclear stance personified by Godzilla. The international release of the film saw the monster’s popularity soar, becoming the first character to spawn a global film franchise.
ACMI Director and CEO Seb Chan said: “Godzilla is one of the most recognisable screen icons of the 20th century, appearing in 38 films and countless comic books, TV shows, videogames and advertisements spawning the kaiju genre.”
“ACMI’s celebration of the undisputed King of Monsters gives fans, old and new, a fun look into Godzilla’s enduring legacy on filmmaking, and our social and cultural imagination. GodzillaFestforegrounds ACMI as a place for intergenerational fandoms – where screen culture enthusiasts, makers and players can feel at home. Get ready to unleash your inner monster!”
ACMI’s gigantic birthday bash for the Kaiju King will be packed full of free, fun and games for visitors of all ages. Find Godzilla hidden throughout ACMI’s centrepiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image; craft an origami creature to take home; take on the beast in vintage videogames and limited-edition pinball; pose for a photo in a tokusatsu-inspired miniature city; and learn more about the monster and his profound impact on filmmaking in a series of free talks hosted by Melbourne-based writer, producer, and filmmaker, Silvi Vann-Wall.
ACMI Cinemas will screen five key films from the eight-decade franchise, including the original 1954 film that introduced the monster to the world. Godzilla (1954), Godzilla vs. Mechagodzilla (1974), Godzilla, Mothra and King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All-Out Attack (2001), Shin Godzilla (2016) and Godzilla vs. Kong (2021) will screen across the weekend, allowing kaiju enthusiasts to witness Godzilla’s blazing battles in all their big-screen glory.
Full-blown monster mayhem will erupt on Halloween, with two separate after-hours events. Halloween Monster Bash will bring together DJs, Godzilla-inspired craft from Kitiya Palaskas, pop-ups, culinary delights, and playable vintage videogames for a celebration of both Godzilla and Japanese culture. Godzilla Movie Marathon & Trivia will put kaiju enthusiasts to the test at an evening of fun and facts hosted by comedian Alex Hines, showcasing the King of Monster’s iconic position in cinema with Godzilla (1954), Mothra vs. Godzilla (1964) and Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971).
GodzillaFest runs 31 October – 3 November 2024 at ACMI, with a mix of free and ticketed events. A Monster Pass is available giving visitors entry to all activities.
For tickets and further details about GodzillaFest and ACMI’s spring programming, visit acmi.net.au.
