Calling all insomniacs with a penchant for round-the-clock revelry: Sleepless Footscray Festival is returning for a fourth edition this May. This after-dark festival of public art, music and unexpected activations will bring dormant laneways and forgotten indoor spaces to life, transforming them into inviting nightscapes.
The heart of vibrant Footscray will play host to a series of adventurous events celebrating the world-class diversity and creativity coming out of Melbourne’s inner west. Running from May 2-18, the festival will consist of an eclectic line-up including music, film screenings, art installations, theatre and more.
For lovers of offbeat cinema, the Melbourne Nocturnal Film Festival will bring the weirdest and most wonderful local shorts to Footscray’s Bluestone Church Arts Space from May 6-7.
Other program highlights include The Door in Question, an immersive theatre experience that portrays a vivid portrait of living with mental illness; Untitled Baseball Game, an experimental narrative project centred around the culture of Melbourne’s western 'burbs; and Footscray Celebrates Africa, a day of free live music, dance and musical education featuring performances by Jarabi Band, Mandé Spirit, Seben Brothers and more.
“Sleepless Footscray is a celebration of the bold, the unexpected, and the deeply creative spirit of Melbourne’s inner west,” said Alex Mansell, spokesperson for the event. “This year, we’re transforming overlooked spaces into stages, galleries and immersive worlds, inviting audiences to experience music and art in ways they never have before.”
Learn more information about the festival (which is supported by the Maribyrnong City Council), view the full schedule or book tickets here.