The Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) has announced several of its premiere titles ahead of the unveiling of the full program announcement on July 11.

The 71st edition will be an 18-day program, 3-20 August.

The new slate of films unveiled today join the previously announced Opening Night Gala showcase of Sundance award-winner Shayda (from Australian-Iranian writer-director Noora Niasari) and the premiere screening of the documentary Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story.

Among the Australian films just announced are Thomas Charles Hyland’s feature directorial debut This Is Going to Be Big, which follows the students, their families and the staff of Sunbury and Macedon Ranges Specialist School as they prepare to stage their school’s John Farnham-themed musical.

Also announced is Rooster, in which Hugo Weaving plays a hermit who forms an unlikely alliance with a cop amid a crisis.

In The Slam tennis fans can relive some of the most thrilling and controversial moments from the history of the Australian Open – from its humble grass court beginnings in 1970s Kooyong, through to its current status as the highest-profile sporting event in the country.

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