Frequently Asked Questions

The films and sessions times for the festival are released at least three weeks before the festival begins. 

Click here to find out where the festival is playing near you.

To view Cinema session times, select a city below.
Please note that these are subject to change.

Sydney | Canberra | Melbourne | Adelaide | Hobart | Perth | Brisbane | Byron Bay

Simply use the form in the sidebar or below to subscribe to our emails, sent directly to your inbox with all important updates and news surrounding the festival.

Palace Cinemas complimentary member tickets, and passes are not valid at the festival. 

Yes, gift cards are valid for you to use when purchasing tickets as a payment option.

Festival tickets are available to purchase online, over-phone or at the cinema box-office.

Our website is now mobile and tablet responsive and can be saved like an app to your phone. To do this, simply go to your phone’s menu when browsing our website and select ‘add to home’ or ‘home screen’. Once you’ve completed this the Festival icon will appear near your other apps for easy access.

Along with many other booking services in the entertainment industry, we charge a booking fee. Booking online means that you can avoid the queue and go straight to your cinema. Booking fees cover the costs associated with administration, as well as software development and maintenance. Booking fees do not apply when you buy tickets at the box office.

They open 15 minutes before the first session of the day.

Click on the Group Bookings a tab in the navigation bar.

Our printed programmes are available at all cinema sites at least 2 weeks before the festival opens. We will also have a PDF version available for download when it's released.

All films are played in their native language with English subtitles unless specified. 

All tickets are non-refundable as set out in the terms and conditions when purchasing tickets. Read festival terms and conditions on the venue information page for each city.

Sydney | Canberra | Melbourne | Adelaide | Hobart | Perth | Brisbane | Byron Bay

All tickets are non-refundable as set out in the terms and conditions when purchasing tickets. If you booked for the incorrect cinema, you will need to contact the cinema location you booked for and explain what occurred. Cinema venue contact details are listed on the venue information page for each city.

Sydney | Canberra | Melbourne | Adelaide | Hobart | Perth | Brisbane | Byron Bay

All our events include a drink on arrival unless specified, please check the event page for your city to find out more.

Sydney | Canberra | Melbourne | Adelaide | Hobart | Perth | Brisbane | Byron Bay

When purchasing tickets online, over the phone or at the box-office, you will be asked to choose your seat. Seating is allocated at all festival venues except the Cinema Paradiso and State Cinema or unless specified.

Within the full-line up most films will have restrictions on whether you can attend with a child. The restrictions are set out by Australian Classifications guidelines.

Classification Information
Festival classification exemptions
Due to the time taken to process a classification, the Classification Board recognises that it is not possible for film festivals to only screen films that have been officially classified. Therefore, special exemptions apply to festivals. Unclassified festival ratings are as follows:

18+: Restricted to Adults
The majority of films at Palace festivals are Unclassified 18+. This is not the same as an R18+ rating, but it acts in a similar way – nobody under 18 (including infants) can legally attend a session with this exemption, even with a parent or adult guardian. One of the key differences between R and Unclassified 18+ is that the content will not be as per an R movie - it is only that it hasn’t yet been classified as suitable for anyone other than an adult audience.

15+: Mature Audiences
Some screenings are Unclassified 15+ including films that have been secured to screen in a festival’s kids or family sections. This is not the same as an MA 15+ rating, but it acts in the same way – nobody under 15 can legally attend such a session unless they are with a parent or reasonable adult guardian. In terms of content, the age range for these films varies, but generally the content includes mature themes. Please see the age recommendations each festival has listed on the film in its program as guidance. If there is no specific recommendation we strongly advise for only children aged 15+ to attend with their parent or adult guardian.
Entry into all festival screenings is at the discretion of Front of House at each venue.
 
Regular Classifications
The Classification Board generally classifies all films screened in a cinema for a public audience. This is the process that gives films the classification rating that most people are familiar with:
 
G : General Viewing
No legal restrictions.
 
PG: Parental Guidance Recommended
No legal restrictions, but parents are encouraged to make a judgement call.
 
M: Mature Audience Recommended
Not recommended for people below 15-years-old but no legal restrictions apply.
 
MA 15+: Mature Audiences Only
Not suitable for people below 15-years-old and people under 15 cannot legally attend unless accompanied by a parent or adult guardian.
 
R 18+: Restricted to Adults
Not suitable for people below 18-years-old and people under 18 cannot legally attend even if with a parent or adult guardian.

CTC: Check the Classification/ Restricted to Adults    
While a film is getting officially classified by the Classification Board the film will be listed as CTC until it receives its classification. Unfortunately, until it receives official classification the festival will require that these films remain restricted to adult-only audiences.

Please note: All classifications and exemptions are age restrictions that are set by the Classification Board and the festival must legally adhere to them.

You can only purchase and redeem multi-film passes from the cinema box office. There are 5, 10 or 20 film passes available, they are valid for one person and only the festival you purchase the pass for. Multi-film pass prices and purchase details are listed on the venue information page for each city.

Sydney | Canberra | Melbourne | Adelaide | Hobart | Perth | Brisbane | Byron Bay

If you have a film which you believe should be considered for next year's festival please contact us here - Please note to be considered the film must be an Australian premiere film.

If we require volunteers we will announce it on our Facebook prior to the festival beginning. Please be sure to follow our Facebook page if you would like to be considered if the chance arises.