Star-studded South Wharf

Star-studded South Wharf

The Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) hosted a rare coming together of sport and cinema on August 1 for the opening night of the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF).

NBA Philadelpia 76ers superstar Ben Simmons joined the cream of Aussie rules football and Australian film, television and entertainment as the festival celebrated the opening with the world premiere of the highly-anticipated Adam Goodes documentary The Australian Dream.

Simmons’ (who is also an executive producer on the film) joined Goodes and a host of sporting stars including fellow NBA superstar Patty Mills, Michael O’Loughlin, Nathan Buckley, Paul Roos and Leigh Matthews.

Entertainment guests included Hugo Weaving, Baker Boy, Briggs, Remi and Anthony LaPaglia, with other notable guests including Victorian Governor Linda Dessau, Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley, MIFF artistic director and journalist Stan Grant.

The Australian Dream is a moving and powerful exploration of race, identity and belonging, as told from the perspective of champion AFL footballer and Indigenous rights Adam Goodes. The screening on opening night was followed by a standing ovation from the audience.

The film festival runs across various venues until August 18.

miff.com.au