Just $3 per screening: An unmissable deal for Illawarra film lovers in 2026
A media release from the Illawarra Film Society, which is inviting members to join and enjoy its 2026 season at Warrawong's Gala Cinema
The Illawarra Film Society (IFS) is excited to launch its 2026 season showcasing a diverse range of international and Australian drama, comedy, classic, and documentary films at the Gala Cinema, Warrawong.
Established as a passion project in 2012 to bring acclaimed new releases to audiences on the South Coast, the Illawarra non-profit is now one of Australia’s largest film societies.
“Our members love the opportunity to see a quality selection of films they wouldn’t see anywhere else. They also appreciate supporting the Illawarra’s only remaining independent cinema,” said chair and curator of the IFS, Jeannine Baker.
“We know our audiences wants to be entertained, so there are plenty of upbeat films, but they also value seeing intriguing, thought-provoking stories from a range of cultures. Watching films on the big screen in the company of other people is a big drawcard for members.”
IFS membership is an incredible deal for movie lovers. The annual $99 fee gets you into 32 exclusive film screenings on Sunday nights from February to November, equating to around $3 per film. But it’s also a ticket into a welcoming community of like-minded people captivated by the power of cinema, with around 450 members in 2025.
Short films screen before some features, and there’s also the chance to meet local filmmakers and other special guests.
The season kicks off on 8 February with the charming French comedy-drama Holy Cow.
The programme also features Iraqi Camera d’Or winner The President’s Cake, absurdist Canadian comedy-drama Universal Language, the moving Thai film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, an incredible Ukrainian sci-fi drama U Are the Universe, and Ice Maiden, a thrilling documentary about Australian adventurer Lisa Blair, who set out to be the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around Antarctica.
Further, several classics, including the original summer blockbuster, Steven Spielberg’s Jaws, a new digital restoration of stylish German thriller Run Lola Run, and The Hidden Fortress, from Japanese master Akira Kurosawa, will delight and entertain audiences decades after they first screened on the big screen.
We also pay tribute to Robert Redford, who died in 2025, with a screening of Alan J. Pakula’s acclaimed All the President’s Men.
To learn more about the IFS, view the programme, and buy a membership visit ifs.org.au.
