FRIEND Film Festival: Human-Machine Relationships on Screen

Across February 2026, the National Communication Museum and Swinburne University, in partnership with Lido Cinemas, present the FRIEND Film Festival: an exploration of the relationships that people form with machines. Presented in concert with NCM’s newest exhibition, FRIEND, this program invites audiences to consider how cinema has presented these new relationships: as companions; as collaborators; as threats; as lovers.

With introductions cushioning each film in the context of FRIEND and our broader technological landscape, NCM invites you to embrace new rituals and new connections.

Her
1 Feb 2026 4:30pm
There will be a short introduction before the screening and a panel discussion on AI companions following the film.

Lars and the Real Girl
8 Feb 2026 4:30pm
Film screening preceded by short intro.

Robot Dreams
15 Feb 2026 4:30pm
Film screening preceded by short intro.

After Yang
22 Feb 2026 4:30pm
Film screening preceded by short intro.