A woman in a striped top looking at a costume display - SOMI relaxed visit - 2024
Free
Image credit: Phoebe Powell

ACMI presents

Relaxed Visit – The Story of the Moving Image

Exhibition

This event has ended and tickets are no longer available.

When

Sat 21 Sep - Sat 16 Nov 2024

Visit our centrepiece exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image, in a relaxed environment.

Suited for visitors with ASD, sensory sensitivities or anyone who would benefit from a quieter and less busy setting, our relaxed visit gives you a chance to explore our incredible new exhibition in an environment that suits you.

Relaxed visits

  • have adjusted sound and lighting in some exhibits to ensure less stimulation
  • have reduced visitor numbers in the exhibition
  • have a dedicated quiet room & meltdown room.

About the exhibition

From the first projections and optical illusions to the birth of film and beyond, moving images have the power to spark imagination, share stories and shape history. Discover how inventors, innovators and artists at the turn of the 20th century wielded light, split time and captured motion, heralding a technological revolution that continues today.

Featuring ancient shadow puppets, Victorian-era magic lanterns, original cameras, iconic costumes, movie sets, sketches, clips and contemporary art, The Story of the Moving Image traverses time, countries and cultures in a mesmerising exploration of an art form that changed the world and illuminated our collective humanity.

Five distinct sections frame the major moments in moving image history, including the origins and future of cinema, production design and the creative process, Australian culture and stories, the rise of videogames, and how screens inform, influence and empower us.

These stages come to life through interactive experiences that let you animate shadows, craft optical toys, experiment with time, assemble film scenes and create soundscapes in a custom Foley studio.

These moments can be collected with the Lens, a free tool that collects your favourite objects, artworks and creations in the exhibition. It also animates the Constellation, connecting what you collected to the cosmos of screen content outside ACMI.

Event duration

60 mins

Where

Gallery 1, Ground Floor
ACMI, Fed Square

Plan your visit

Accessibility

We offer a Relaxed Visit and Audio Described Tour for visitors to The Story of the Moving Image with access needs.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY AT ACMI

Visual Story

We developed a Visual Story to help anyone who may find a step-by-step visual and written access guide useful when coming to ACMI.

READ THE VISUAL STORY

Child Safety

All children have a right to be safe from harm, respected and valued during their visit to ACMI.

READ OUR CHILD SAFETY POLICY

Content Warning

This exhibition includes displays with strobing effect that may affect photosensitive viewers.


Featured in The Story of the Moving Image

Exhibition highlights

web - Foley Studio - WEB_ACMI_SOMI_013

Interactive experiences

Bring screen works to life with interactive displays and experiences that continue long after you’ve left the building.

A closeup of the ACMI Lens in action

Take the exhibition home

Collect your favourite objects in the exhibition with your Lens and explore your personal collection online anytime, anywhere.

What is the Lens?

20 per cent off in the ACMI Shop

ACMI Shop

A handpicked collection of clothing, gifts, books, homewares, toys and more for the film buffs, gamers and art lovers in your life.

Located on the Ground Floor at ACMI, Fed Square, Flinders Street.

Shop online
ACMI building at night - photograph by Shannon McGrath

Plan your visit

Visitor guidelines, information on accessibility, amenities, transport, dining options and more.

Start planning
Images being projected on the hands of a young woman in Memory Garden

Support your museum of screen culture

Help us preserve and safeguard the ACMI collection for future generations.

DONATE TODAY
A couple checks out consumes from The Last Emperor in The Story of the Moving Image (image credit: Phoebe Powell)

Not an ACMI Member yet?

Experience ACMI in the very best way. Get a range of discounts and invitations to exclusive previews.

SEE MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS
Teacher working with three student in a classroom. 
The students are making an animation using Lego.

Schools & Teachers

We offer special pricing and unique experiences for school groups.

LEARN MORE
2001: A Space Odyssey - hallway scene

Moving image stories

Explore articles, interviews, recorded talks and more.

STORIES & IDEAS

View six stories from this exhibition online

Discover how screen culture has shaped who we are, how we see ourselves and how the world sees us, in The Story of the Moving Image online.

EXPLORE
Basically Black cast photo

Major Philanthropic Partners

Philanthropic Partner

Supporting Partners

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