Welcome to Melbourne Writers Festival
We respectfully acknowledge that Melbourne Writers Festival takes place on the traditional lands of the Kulin Nation, in particular the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung peoples. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
One of Australia's most loved literary institutions, Melbourne Writers Festival brings writers and readers together to be inspired, challenged and thrilled by an intelligent, rousing and diverse program of events celebrating books and ideas.
Since 1986, we have entertained hundreds of thousands of readers as the flagship annual writers festival of our UNESCO City of Literature. MWF ignites conversations across Melbourne and inspires curiosity and connection.
Statement of Intent
Melbourne Writers Festival champions open discourse and freedom of expression. We recognise the importance of diverse and divergent perspectives among our artists, audiences, staff, and the communities we serve. The Festival is grounded in its values of Excellence, Curiosity, Diversity and a Future-Focused mindset. We seek to create a festival where books, stories and ideas are discussed with nuance, compassion and mutual respect – where words have power.
We platform writers and thinkers who explore complex ideas with open hearts and minds, and our program reflects the local and global diversity of the world in which we live. We inspire conversations for the readers and writers of Melbourne, and our programming values creative insight, intellectually rigorous dialogue and constructive debate.
We uphold a commitment to ensuring MWF is a respectful environment. Festival artists are free to express their ideas and opinions within the limits set by all relevant laws. We expect Festival participants, including artists, staff, audiences, volunteers, partners, donors and funders (whether participating in or interacting with the Festival in person or online) to adhere to MWF's standards of respect.
We extend our thanks to the members of the MWF community who help us create a constructive, curious and empathetic festival environment.