The Brisbane Queer Film Festival celebrates its coming of age
When it comes to milestones, it doesn’t get much more significant than your 18th birthday. It symbolises so many things – freedom, responsibility, independence and all new kinds of fun to be had. This year, the Brisbane Queer Film Festival celebrates all of these particular elements as it prepares to come of age, marking 18 years of bringing us the best and most diverse queer films from Australia and around the world. From March 10–19, the New Farm Cinemas will be playing host to a brilliant and bold program that pushes the boundaries – just like any freshly 18-year-old should.
The Brisbane Queer Film Festival 2017 hasn’t just moved out of its childhood home – it has gained two brand-new directors in the form of Shanon King and Justin Marshman. The team has carefully curated this visionary program to embrace the full scope of queer cinema – lesbian, gay, bi, trans*, gender diverse and multigenerational films are all represented, with special picks for niches and allies of Brisbane’s queer community. The eighteen sessions on offer include 16 features, two shorts sessions, five documentaries and a special back-to-back screening of a four-part Brazilian serial, covering everything from poignant coming-out tales to groundbreaking films at the frontline of new-wave cinema.
Another integral part of the festival’s metamorphosis is its recognition as a member of the Asia Pacific Queer Film Alliance, putting BQFF alongside international queer film festival leaders such as Shanghai PRIDE Film Festival, Tokyo International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and Seoul PRIDE Film Festival. Whilst the whole program is all killer and no filler, we asked the co-directors for their top picks. Shanon backs the binge-worthy vibes of The Nest, likening it to watching your favourite Netflix series on the big screen, while Justin tips the award-winning Austrian film Tomcat to be the most talked-about film of the festival. The opening night offering KIKI is another must-see to watch out for.
To check out the full program or buy tickets to any of the films, head to the Brisbane Queer Film Festival website.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
