Upcoming Events
Meet the Winners of the Prime Ministers Literary Awards
Join us at the National Library for an inspiring and celebratory evening as we bring together the winners of the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Awards. Canberra readers will be the first in the nation to meet these wonderful writers as they share the stories behind their award-winning works. Following the discussion in the Theatre, the authors will be available for book signings in the Foyer.
This event is presented in partnership with the National Library of Australia and Creative Australia, and hosted by Artistic Director Beejay Silcox.
Stella Day Out Canberra: In conversation with Mirandi Riwoe
Stella Day Out is a free one-day literary festival that celebrates and promotes the outstanding contributions of women and non-binary writers to Australian literature. Join 2021 & 2018 Stella Prize-listed author Mirandi Riwoe in an inspiring discussion about her writing journey. Moderated by Beejay Silcox.
Book Club: The Miseducation of Cameron Post + Discussion
The Miseducation of Cameron Post is at once a heartfelt bildungsroman and a razor-sharp critique of ‘gay conversion therapy’. Chloë Grace Moretz shines as the titular Cameron in the film adaptation of the award-winning YA novel by Emily M Danforth. A young, queer teenager sent to a gay conversion therapy camp in the early 1990s, Cameron’s journey is shaped by friendships formed with other ‘disciples’ – many of whom have been ostracised by their families and have nowhere else to go.
Beautifully crafted, Akhavan’s interpretation won the Grand Jury Prize for US Drama at the Sundance Film Festival.
The film screening will be followed by a discussion of the film and the novel with special guest Cadance Bell, moderated by Canberra Writers Festival Artistic Director Beejay Silcox.
A Conversation With Tim Minchin
Life will sometimes seem long and tough. And you will sometimes be happy and sometimes sad. And then you’ll be old. And then you’ll be dead. There is only one sensible thing to do with this empty existence, and that is: fill it.’
Spend an evening in the company of internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter, musician, actor, writer and comedian Tim Minchin as he celebrates the publication of his first non-fiction book, You Don’t Have to Have a Dream.
In conversation with a special guest interviewer, Beejay Silcox, hear Tim share his inimitable thoughts and advice on life, art, success, kindness, love and thriving in a meaningless universe. Drawing from his legendary university commencement addresses, Tim’s rallying cry for creativity, critical thinking, and compassion in our daily lives will touch the science-loving reality-romantic in all of us.
A Night With Tim Winton
He is one of the country’s most loved storytellers, and he is stepping into new dystopian terrain with his latest novel, Juice. Tim Winton joins CWF Artistic Director - and fellow Albany kid - Beejay Silcox, for a special conversation about literary risk-taking and life on the page.