ACMI

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image, located in Federation Square in Melbourne, is an inspiring museum dedicated to celebrating screen culture in all its vibrant forms. Situated on the banks of the Yarra River in the heart of Melbourne, the museum offers an immersive destination for film lovers, television fans, videogame enthusiasts and digital art aficionados. The museum invites visitors from around Australia and the world to explore the rich cultural heritage of moving images in a bright, friendly and positive environment.

About the Museum

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image is the national museum of screen culture in Australia and provides a dynamic mix of exhibitions, screenings, workshops and educational programs. Entry to the museum is free, although special exhibitions or events may require a ticket. The museum is open daily from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon, with special opening hours for certain holidays.

Inside visitors can enjoy interactive displays such as a permanent free exhibition titled The Story of the Moving Image, where one can engage by doing as well as watching, learning hands‑on about film history, technology and artistic expression. For film lovers, the museum includes state‑of‑the‑art cinemas that screen classic and contemporary films, film festivals and curated retrospectives.

Videogame culture is given a distinctive platform at the museum. Major exhibitions such as Game Masters showcased more than a hundred playable games from influential designers, with concept art, interviews and development histories. ACMI also plays a leading role behind the scenes in conserving and preserving videogames alongside film and television works, in its collections and preservation lab.

The ACMI Collection includes more than forty thousand works across film, television, videogames and digital art, some dating back to the 1940s. It is catalogued and preserved for current and future audiences via tools that allow visitors to explore, borrow or access material online. Educational programs are offered too: schools and teachers can book workshops, talks and guided films, and free learning resources are made available online alongside recorded lectures.

Visitors can extend their experience using “The Lens,” an interactive digital feature that lets them collect highlights from their visit and explore them online at any time. Food, drink and shopping are also available on site, with a café and bar and a well‑curated museum shop offering books, toys, gifts and locally designed merchandise.

Interesting Facts

The museum’s collection includes over forty thousand screen‑culture works, some dating from the 1940s onward.
Entry to the museum is free and it is open every day from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon, making it an accessible destination for families and casual visitors.
The permanent exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, is interactive and designed to immerse visitors in the creation and evolution of film, television and digital media.
Major exhibitions such as Game Masters have featured over one hundred playable videogames and original artwork by influential game designers from around the world.
ACMI is not only a public museum but also a working archive and preservation hub, with a media preservation laboratory dedicated to safeguarding analogue and digital materials from film, television and videogames.
The museum supports educational engagement through workshops, talks, school programs and free resources, as well as touring exhibitions that travel across Australia and beyond.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +6138 663 2200

Website: acmi.net.au/

Facebook: facebook.com/acmionline

Conclusion

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image offers a compelling and inclusive experience for anyone interested in screen culture. From its interactive permanent exhibition to its state‑of‑the‑art cinemas, its major themed exhibitions and its commitment to preservation and education, the museum caters to diverse interests and age groups. Whether you are passionate about film history, curious about videogame development or eager to engage with digital art, the museum provides a stimulating and accessible environment. Located in Melbourne’s Federation Square, with free entry and engaging experiences, ACMI stands as a delightfully enriching destination for visitors seeking creativity, discovery and the story behind the screens.