A screenshot of the controversial documentary Vaxxed. Earlier this week, the Australian National University's science department was condemned for unwittingly screening the film. The AVN later uploaded videos of the event to social media showing some of those involved claiming the event was implicitly endorsed by the university, when it was not. "My biggest issue is that a big corporation like Village Cinemas shouldn't be enabling these sort of people to have a platform to screen their film," he said.

"They are not obliged to screen these sorts of movies, they don't have to accept the bookings, they can use their common sense and realise it is not a safe or a good thing to do. In fact, it's endangering public health and putting lives at risk." A screenshot of the controversial documentary Vaxxed. The AVN revealed the venue to Melbourne ticket-holders by text and email two hours before it was due to screen. The group's Facebook page had said it would be held at a "secret" Melbourne venue. A screenshot of the controversial documentary Vaxxed.

The post also implored viewers to come along to the screening to meet "like-minded" individuals. "Aside from watching the movie "They" don't want you to see, you will meet like-minded individuals in your area, help form a community for mutual information and support and just get an all-around warm feeling from knowing that you are NOT ALONE," it read. Earlier this year, the State of Minnesota faced its biggest outbreak of measles in almost 30 years, which authorities blame on anti-vaccine propaganda targeting parents of Somali-American children. Dr Cunningham said the film had the potential to harm generations of children in Australia. "We are living in an era where people are dying needlessly," Dr Cunningham said.

"Babies will die if they are not vaccinated. Just last week an Australian woman contracted meningococcal, believed to be contracted from an unvaccinated toddler and died." "These sort of lies and misinformation are a threat to public health and people who promote these ideas should be treated with disdain and shouldn't be given a stage in which to spread their lives." It is understood the screening was one of two sessions in Melbourne with another sold out screening of the contentious documentary tipped for Melbourne's eastern suburbs on Thursday evening. Fairfax Media has contacted Village Cinemas centre management for comment. The AVN has also been contacted for comment.