Melbourne Writers Festival kicks off today for 11 days of literary goodness. The annual festival is celebrating its 30th year with more than 400 Australian and international writers participating in more than 530 panels, workshops and performances.
Here is City Journal’s top nine picks for this year:
1. Rob Thomas – Veronica Mars to iZombie
The man behind the hit US television series, Veronica Mars, will talk all about the teenage private eye’s transition from the small screen to its fan-funded film – one of the the most successful crowd-funding campaigns in recent years. Also known for his work on Party Down and iZombie, attendees are invited to submit questions online for the American author, producer and screenwriter. Thursday, August 20, 9pm Melbourne Town Hall Tickets: $22 / $19 Concession 2. Jack Andraka: Teen Scientist Breaks Through One of the festival’s 30 under 30, this 18-year-old from the US invented an early cancer detection test when he was just 15 and released his memoir, Breakthrough, in 2014. Watch his conversation on inspiration, invention and his experiences as a young gay scientist. Saturday, August 29, 6.30pm Deakin Edge, Federation Square Tickets: $22 / $19 Concession / $15 Child 3. Aussie bestsellers Come celebrate the best of Australia’s home-grown talent with a couple of our bestselling authors. Join Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies) and Graeme Simsion (The Rosie Effect) as they talk about making it to the top of worldwide bestsellers lists. With Big Little Lies being picked up by HBO for an upcoming television show starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman, and The Rosie Effect slated as the next-big a film adaptation starring Jennifer Lawrence, this panel is not to be missed. Sunday, August 23, 10am Deakin Edge, Federation Square Tickets: $22 / $19 Concession 4. Naomi Klein: Capitalism & The Climate; An Audience with Naomi Klein Her Twitter bio says it all: “They say I’m polarizing”. This Canadian activist, author and filmmaker will challenge your thoughts on corporate globalisation and capitalism, and its connection to our climate. Her bestseller No Logo and her latest release This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate provide the basis for her two panels at this year’s MWF and both events are already sold out. Naomi Klein: Capitalism & The Climate Sunday, August 30, 4pm Deakin Edge, Federation Square An Audience with Naomi Klein Saturday, August 29, 6pm Athenaeum Theatre, Collins St 5. The Moth: True Stories Told Live Not-for-profit The Moth brings the art of live storytelling all the way from New York for a series of performances. With a theme of ‘between worlds’, these live theatrical productions are sure to be something interesting. Thursday, August 27, 8.30pm Athenaeum Theatre, Collins St Tickets: $30 / $27 Concession 6. Coetzee, Kennedy, Malouf: Three Stories
Get the chance to join JM Coetzee, Cate Kennedy and David Malouf as they read one of their short stories in its entirety. With such titles as Waiting for the Barbarians, The World Beneath and Ransom to their names, these Australian authors are sure to treat attendees to a unique night. Friday, August 28, 7pm Deakin Edge, Federation Square Tickets: $22 / $19 Concession 7. Women in media: Keeping Up Appearances Who better to talk about the expectations that come with being a female in the media than Ita Buttrose and Jessica Rowe? These two television personalities will share their insights on the pressures of the public gaze as part of the Women in Media series of panels. Friday, August 21, 4pm Deakin Edge, Federation Square Tickets: $22 / $19 Concession 8. Good Muslim Boy, Good Greek Girl In the multicultural landscape that is Australia, Maria Katsonis and Osamah Sami share their thoughts on what it’s like to be a first-generation migrant struggling with notions of identity and culture norms. Thursday, August 27, 6pm Immigration Museum Tickets: $22 / $19 Concession 9. Caravan Conversations This series of intimate conversations gives audiences the chance to speak to a selection of writers from the festival. With the guest for each session kept secret until they enter the caravan, and only five tickets available for each session, you have literally no idea what you are in store for – and that’s the best part. Dumbo Feather Airstream, Federation Square Tickets: $10
Last year our marketing manager Georgina spent an incredible afternoon at the @dumbofeather Caravan with foreign correspondent Luke Harding, the man who wrote about Edward Snowden and Wikileaks. What is your favourite Festival memory? Help us celebrate our 30th year and share your #MWFMoments A photo posted by Melbourne Writers Festival (@melbwritersfest) on
For the full program, visit http://mwf.com.au/
Feature image supplied by Melbourne Writers Festival.
