2025 Program Details
Acknowledgement of Country
We acknowledge the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners of the lands in which our society meets, and pay our respects to Elders past and present, inspired by their traditions of storytelling. Elverina Johnson's artwork - Bandu Gaddaan - means come together as one mob.
Our Appreciation
The Williamstown Film Society would once again like to acknowledge the financial support of the Hobsons Bay City Council through their Small Group Operating Grants. The Committee & Membership thank you for supporting us in 2026, our 30th year.
January 29th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
BRAN NUE DAE (Aus, 2009, Musical/Comedy, 85min, colour, M) A road movie set on the west coast of Australia in the 1960s. A young Aboriginal boy runs away from his Catholic boarding school, pursued by the head priest. Stars Rocky McKenzie, Ernie Dingo, Jessica Mauboy, Geoffrey Rush, Missy Higgins. Based on the award winning stage musical by Jimmy Chi. The screenplay was written by Reg Cribb, Rachel Perkins & Jimmy Chi. Rachel Perkins directed. A fabulous beginning to our year watching movies. Starbox score of 4.1 stars out of 5. A grand turnout too. It's good to be back.
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February 26th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
CHAPLIN (UK/France/Italy/Japan/USA, 1992, 143min, colour, M) Richard Attenborough's extravagant biopic of Charlie Chaplin. An aged Charlie Chaplin (Robert Downey Jr) narrates his life to his autobiography's editor, including his rise to wealth and comedic fame from poverty, his turbulent personal life and his run-ins with the FBI. 3 Oscar nominations - Actor, Art Direction & Original Score. Wonderful insight into making movies back in the day. Note: Long Movie. No preamble. Straight into the film...be on time. There will be supper, of course.
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March 26th, 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
MARY & MAX (Aus, 2009, 94mins, drama/comedy, claymation, colour, PG) Adam Elliot’s first animated feature film tells the story of an unlikely pen-friendship between a lonely Australian girl and a 40 year old Jewish man in NY. Toni Collette and Philip Seymour Hoffman provide the voices for Mary and Max. Other voices belong to Eric Bana, Barry Humphries, John Flaus, Molly Meldrum, Renee Gayer and a million others. The creator Adam Elliot, as well as writing and directing, also voiced 6 of the characters. Claymation is a passion and Adam totally deserved his Oscar for his earlier short Harvie Krumpet (2004). Adam's new feature 'Memoir of a Snail' is in cinemas now. Starbox score 4.4 (out of 5 stars). And thanks to everyone for creating a wonderful atmosphere at our screening.
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April 30th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
THE TRAIN (US/France, 1964, War/Action, 133min, B&W, PG) In 1944, a German colonel loads France's greatest paintings on a train to transport them to Germany. However, the French resistance is determined to prevent them from stealing their national treasure. Shot in tremendous B&W, this is a classic. Is it a train film? Sure is. Is it an action movie? Sure is. Does it delve deeper than the average war film? Sure does. Burt Lancaster, Jeanne Moreau and Paul Scofield. Directed by John Frankenheimer & Arthur Penn - in fact Frankenheimer took over from Penn very early on! Our audience of 38 loved The Train giving it 4.3 stars out of 5 from the Starbox.
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May 28th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (US, 1955, Romance/Melodrama, 89min, colour, PG) Cary Scott (Jane Wyman), an upper-class widow with two grown-up children, has a small circle of rich friends. When her friendship with her gardener, Ron (Rock Hudson) turns to love, she faces criticism from her kids and pals. Directed by the influential Hollywood great Douglas Sirk. The story has been remade twice: The first time in 1974 by German director Rainer Werner Fassbender as 'Fear Eats The Soul'. The second was in 2002 by American Todd Haynes with the title 'Far From Heaven'. Perhaps future programs? Starbox score = 4.3 (out of 5 stars) from 31 votes (and an audience of 32?)
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June 25th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
THE TERMINAL (US, 2004, Comedy/Romance, 128min, colour, PG) Viktor, an East European tourist, finds himself stranded in JFK airport and takes up temporary residence there. Stars Tom Hanks, Zoe Saldana, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Stanley Tucci. According to Director Steven Spielberg the idea for the film came from a true story. An Iranian refugee, Mehran Karimi Nasseri, lived in Terminal One in Charles de Gaulle airport, Paris, from 1988 until 2006. However, this was never officially acknowledged. The 1993 French film 'Lost In Transit' was also based on the same story (available on Apple TV). A Starbox score of 4.2 shows that watching Victor cope with bureaucracy through his resourcefulness and his kindness was the ideal film for a cold, wet winter night.
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July 30th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber Williamstown Town Hall
I’M YOUR MAN / ICH BIN DEIN MENSCH (Germany, 2021, Romance, 105, colour, M) In order to fund her research, a German scientist is persuaded to participate in a study and live with a humanoid robot, designed to be the perfect life partner. Berlin IFF: acting winner for Maren Eggert; nominations for film and screenplay - Maria Schrader. Subtitled. Tom may not have been the man of Alma's dreams but he (it) wasn't far off. Our members thought so too and gave it 4.1 stars out of 5... and I'm playing the score as I type. Amazing.
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August 27th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
RED, WHITE & BRASS (New Zealand, 2023, Comedy, 85min, colour, PG) Tongan superfan Maka will do whatever it takes to get tickets to the Tonga vs. France Rugby World Cup game in Wellington, even delivering a brass band for the pre-match entertainment. However, the band doesn't exist and Maka has only four weeks to build one. A feel-good film in every sense and based on a true story. A big hit on release in NZ, the film's exploration of Tongan-New Zealand society and culture contributing to its success.
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September 24th 2025, Wednesday 7:30-m, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
THE COLOUR OF PARADISE (Iran, 1999, Adventure/Drama,90 mins, colour, PG) A fable of a child's innocence and a complex look at faith and humanity. Visually magnificent and wrenchingly moving, the film tells the story of a boy whose inability to see the world only enhances his ability to feel its powerful forces. Directed by Majid Majidi who also made ‘The Children of Heaven’ which we screened as part of our 2011 program. Persian with English subtitles. Prior to the screening a Special General Meeting was held and members voted to accept the new Rules of the WFS. Our film received a Starbox score of 4 out of 5 stars.
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October 29th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm, Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
2025 AGM & Our film ON A CLEAR DAY (Scotland, 2005, Comedy/Drama, 98min, colour, PG) After losing his job at a Glasgow shipyard, 50-year-old Frank (Peter Mullan) has few prospects and little hope. A casual remark by a buddy (Billy Boyd) inspires him to find a new purpose: to swim the English Channel. Also stars Brenda Blethyn, well know to Melbourne audiences as DCI Vera Stanhope, yes luv, that Vera! A fabulous turn out (we should have AGMs every month!). Scroll down to see the new committee. ON A CLEAR DAY was the perfect follow up to our AGM. It was feel good as only the Scotts know how, scoring 3.9 at the Starbox from 38 votes.
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November 26th 2025, Wednesday 7:30pm. Council Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
THE LONG, LONG TRAILER (US, 1953, Comedy/Romance/Musical, 96min, colour, G) Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz live slaphappily ever after as newlyweds honeymooning in their trailer, or as we know it, a caravan. Breezily directed by Vincente Minnelli. Also stars Marjorie Main, Keenan Wynn & Bert Freed. When the movie was made, 'I Love Lucy' had been running for 3 years on TV and MGM were unsure whether the public would pay to see Lucy and Desi when they could watch them for free at home. They were wrong and the LLT out grossed 'Father of the Bride' the top comedy at the time. Audiences were won over by the opportunity to see the stars in colour - 'I Love Lucy' episodes were filmed and broadcast in B&W. Our largest audience for 2025 - 44 - rated the antics of Tacy & Nicky a Starbox 3.5. Not everyone is a Lucy fan but it didn't stop us from ending the year with a bang. Seasons Greetings to all...
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WFS 2026 PROGRAM
What can I say other than hit the 'Green Learn More' button and you will find a copy of our 2026 program of movies to read and, more importantly, download to magnet to your fridge! Oh...the only film yet to be confirmed is our June screening of Signorinella: Little Miss
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January 28th, 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Hall
You are invited to join us on board the SS Poseidon for a belated NYE celebration. Drag out your New Year's best or dress as one of the many over-the-top characters which populated this movie - the FIRST and BEST of the disaster movie fad - sorry, I mean genre. You know you want to... THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (US, 1972, adventure, 117mins, colour, PG) To find out about characters and see their costumes (both before and after) click on the green 'learn more' button. As I said, this is the original 1972 version. Avoid pale, later imitations and join us for a night to remember!
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February 25th, 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Hall
SHAKESPEAR IN LOVE (US, 1998, 123min, colour, M, Romantic/Comedy) February is the ideal month to screen the greatest love story almost never told! Winner of 7 Oscars (incl. film, actress x 2, screenplay). An Elizabethan romantic farce the bard would have happily penned himself - had he thought of it. Stars Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Judy Dench, Geoffrey rush and oh so many more.
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March 25th, 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
OSCAR NOMINATED LIVE ACTION SHORTS 2024 The After (UK,18min); Red, White and Blue (US, 23min); Knight of Fortune (Denmark, 25min, subtitles); Invincible (Canada, 29min, subtitles); The Wonderful World of Henry Sugar (US/UK, 37min). Total running time 133 minutes. Perhaps we could have our own vote then compare our choice with the Academy’s? No cheating though!
April 29th 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown town Hall
JOJO RABBIT (NZ, US, Czech Republic, 2019, 108min, colour, M, War/Comedy) Hitler Youth cadet Jojo Betzler firmly believes in the ideals of Nazism manifested by his imaginary friend, Adolf Hitler. However, his foundations are shaken when he finds a Jewish girl in his house. A satirical black comedy-drama film written and directed by Taika Waititi (Boy, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, What we do in the Shadows), adapted from Christine Leunens's 2008 book Caging Skies.
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May 27th 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
42nd STREET (US, 1933, 89min, B&W, G, Musical) A ‘backstage musical’, based on the 1932 novel by Bradford Ropes, it follows the rehearsal process of a Broadway show staged during the height of the Great Depression. A pre-Code musical film directed by Lloyd Bacon, with songs by Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyrics). Staging and choreography by Busby Berkeley. An ensemble cast of Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell and Ginger Rogers.
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June 24th 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall - TBC
SIGNORINELLA: Little Miss (Aus, 2024, 86min, colour/B&W, PG) This fascinating documentary, narrated by Greta Scacchi, shines a light on the unsung heroes of the Italian migrant experience, celebrating the spirit of Italian women who shaped Australia and cooked a few plates of pasta along the way. Yet To Be Confirmed but our fingers are well and truly crossed!
July 29th 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL (US, 2016, 112min, colour, M, Thriller/Sci-Fi) Roy Tomlin (Michael Shannon) makes desperate efforts to protect his eight-year-old son, Alton (Jaeden Martell), who possesses special powers, from a religious sect and officials of the FBI who are on a quest to capture him. Also stars Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver and Sam Shepard. “The sci-fi elements were good, and central to the story, but the human drama was even better. That’s a rare thing in a sci-fi film” (Reddit).
August 26th 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber Williamstown Town Hall
DON'S PARTY (Aus, 1976, 90min, colour, R18+, Comedy/Drama) A black comedy with a screenplay by David Williamson based on his play. Directed by Bruce Beresford (his 4th feature). John Hargreaves plays Don with Jeanie Drynan as Don's wife Kath. The rest of the cast is a who’s who of early Australian cinema - Ray Barrett, Pat Bishop, Graham Kennedy, Graeme Blundell, Veronica Lang, Candy Raymond, Kit Taylor, Harold Hopkins and Clare Binney – you’ll know their faces if the names are not familiar. The setting is an election night party in northern Sydney.
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September 30th 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
TRUMBO (US, 2015, 124min, colour, M, political/thriller) Dalton Trumbo is a celebrated screenwriter with many successful films to his credit. However, things change when he is blacklisted from Hollywood. An all-star cast led by Brian Cranston as Trumbo.
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October 28th 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
OH BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU? (US, 2000, 107min, colour, M, Comedy/Crime) satirical comedy-drama musical film written, produced, co-edited, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film is set in rural Mississippi in the summer of 1937. It follows three escaped convicts and is loosely based on Homer's epic Greek poem The Odyssey.
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November 25th 2026, Wednesday 7:30pm, The Chamber, Williamstown Town Hall
HOW TO STEAL A MILLION (US, 1966, 123min, colour, G, Comedy/Crime) The pairing of Audrey Hepburn & Peter O’Toole in a romantic comedy, styled in 60s chic, all but guarantees a crime caper like no other. Throw in William Wyler (Dir), Givenchy (Audrey’s clothes) and supporting players Eli Wallach, Charles Boyer and Hugh Griffith and you have a solid gold classic… or a classic of the the finest Carrara marble!
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