by FilmInk Staff
Following a record-breaking 2024 season, Dendy Cinemas is proud to announce the return of the Capital Film Festival, set to take place from 29 October to 2 November 2025 at Dendy Cinemas, Canberra Centre.
Now in its fourth year, the Capital Film Festival has cemented its reputation as the ACT’s pre-eminent international film festival—a prestigious cultural event that connects Canberra audiences with the best in local and global cinema, and an increasingly important launchpad for awards-season contenders.
The 2024 edition attracted more than 1,500 attendees over five days, featuring multiple Canberra premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and a standout lineup of films that collectively earned 25 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture winner Anora.
In 2025, the festival enters an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Karina Libbey as Festival Director. A respected force in Australian screen culture, Libbey brings nearly two decades of experience in film festival programming, curation, and audience development.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Karina to the Capital Film Festival team,” says Sharon Strickland, CEO of Dendy Icon Group. “Her strategic insight, curatorial vision, and deep ties to Australian cinema make her the ideal person to shape the festival’s future and continue delivering a bold, world-class experience for Canberra audiences.”
Libbey’s extensive background includes programming roles at the Travelling Film Festival, Possible Worlds Canadian Film Festival, Young at Heart Seniors Film Festival, Sydney Underground Film Festival, and Access All Areas. She is also a long-standing member of the Sydney Film Festival’s Film Advisory Panel and was formerly responsible for the Travelling Film Festival program.
Her leadership work spans prestigious institutions including the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS), and The Festivalists. A recent Natalie Miller Fellowship Catalyst Grant recipient, Libbey also holds a Master of Arts Screen: Business from AFTRS.
“Having spent many years in Canberra, I’ve always felt a strong connection to the city and its passionate filmgoing community,” says Libbey. “The Capital Film Festival has quickly carved out an important space in the local cultural calendar, and I’m honoured to lead it into its next phase—curating a program that excites, challenges, and connects.”
With its growing profile, curated excellence, and prime positioning in the lead-up to awards season, the Capital Film Festival continues to establish itself as a key cultural fixture for both audiences and the industry.
Submissions Now Open
Studio and distributor enquiries regarding film submissions for the 2025 program are now welcome.
