Brisbane International Film Festival makes a world-class return
Cinephiles, one of the most exciting events on our calendar is almost upon us once more – the annual Brisbane International Film Festival is back in town, baby! Our city’s flagship film festival is returning to its (very apt) home QAGOMA, setting up shop from October 3–13 and bringing a huge roster of inspiring entertainment our way.
This year’s Brisbane International Film Festival has a huge (and highly talented) team behind it, bringing together an offering that is bound to get cinephiles excited. Amanda Slack-Smith – Artistic Director of BIFF 2019 and Curatorial Manager of the QAGOMA’s Australian Cinémathèque – leads a cohort that includes luminaries such as Academy Award-nominated writer, director, and producer Baz Luhrmann and his long-time collaborator, Academy Award-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin. GOMA has come back on board to present the festival this year after a hugely successful hosting debut last year. A selection of fine cinemas across the city and surrounds will also play host to screenings throughout the festival – newcomer Dendy Cinemas Coorparoo join previous viewing partners The Elizabeth Picture Theatre and New Farm Cinemas, Reading Cinemas Newmarket and the State Library of Queensland to showcase films this year.
While the full Brisbane International Film Festival program is still under wraps, we’ve been given a sneak peek at some of the gems to expect. The festival officially opens on Thursday October 3 at GOMA with the Queensland premiere of Judy & Punch, the deservedly hyped debut feature from Australian director-actor hybrid Mirrah Foulkes. Following this, eager punters can immerse themselves in a jam-packed program of more than 100 titles across award-winning new releases, shorts and documentary films. Audiences will be treated to titles such as Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain and Glory (the film that nabbed Antonio Banderas a Cannes Best Actor award), Joanna Hogg’s mother-daughter drama The Souvenir, plus another Queensland premiere in the form of Jim Jarmusch’s star-studded zombie flick The Dead Don’t Die. It’s not just about the silver screen – BIFF presents a whole suite of accompanying events that involve live music and food, workshops, conversations and panel discussions, the inaugural Short Film Awards and the GOMA exhibition Setting the Stage.
Tickets for Brisbane International Film Festival will be on sale August 22 – to keep up to date with news and screenings, be sure to head to the BIFF website.
Image credits:
1: Production still from Judy & Punch 2019 / Director: Yakov Protazanov / Image courtesy: Madman Entertainment
2: Production still from The Dead Don’t Die 2019 / Director: Jim Jarmusch / Image courtesy: Universal Pictures Australia
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
