Real talk – while 2018 may have been a great year for Brisbane, we’re even more excited for what 2019 is going to bring. Our cultural sphere just keeps getting better, with a host of local and international events taking place right here in our city. We’ve picked five killer events happening post-New Year that you should get tickets to before they disappear, lest you risk falling victim to some serious FOMO. more
In case you’ve been living under a rock (how’s the weather under there?), you may have noticed that the hotly anticipated 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art has finally opened at QAGOMA for all to enjoy. As with all of the gallery’s major exhibitions, the awe doesn’t stop with what we see on the walls – patrons are also treated to a rich and vibrant cinema program to accompany. The APT9 Cinema program has arrived at the GOMA Cinémathèque to give us a taste of the Asia Pacific through the magic of film. more
We're going to just go right out there and admit it – we look forward to every third summer in Brisbane more than any other. Why? Because that's when QAGOMA's Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art is in town! Seeing as this explosion of life and colour only happens every three years, its opening night is definitely cause for the entire city to celebrate. From 7:30 pm this Friday November 23, both QAG and GOMA are opening up their doors to the public for one heck of a party, filled with DJs, performances, food, drink and of course some awe-inspiring art. more
Cinephiles, your time has come – the dates have dropped and we’ve been given a couple of irresistible samples, but now the Brisbane International Film Festival is well and truly ready to go. A massive program announcement and ticket release have just taken place, so it’s time to start saving those dates and locking in spots at the most coveted events before they sell out. more
Cinema lovers, your time has come – the annual Brisbane International Film Festival is back in town, baby! Our city’s flagship film festival has found a new home in QAGOMA, setting up shop from October 11–21 and bringing a huge roster of inspiring entertainment our way. more
Folks, spring has almost sprung and it’s bringing a little something special with it – we’re talking Brisbane Festival, baby! Come September 8, our fine city will be overflowing with a selection of local and international entertainment that will make your head spin. From circus and cabaret to top live bands and immersive theatre, the festival brings together the best of the arts scene for your enjoyment – so you’d better get out there and lap it up. Mark September 8–29 in your diary and start planning your hit-list, because this one’s going to be a doozy. more
Have you ever watched a movie that gripped you so much that you felt like you were almost right there in it? 3D films have long given us a taste of the more interactive movie experience, but we’ve found something that takes this immersion to the next level. The Australian Virtual Reality Film Festival is coming to the Brisbane Powerhouse from August 22–26 to bring fantasies to life, giving viewers the chance to totally engage themselves in another world like never before. more
More than a century after Sherlock Holmes first uttered the phrase ‘the game is afoot’, detective films – and the iconic characters they create – continue to delight and surprise cinemagoers. If you're a fan of the 'whodunit' genre, get excited because from July 6 to September 2, the Australian Cinémathèque at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is celebrating sleuthhounds on screen with The Great Detective film showcase. more
Folks, the wait is finally over – after a sultry summer, Brisbane is chilling out and embracing the change of seasons. Now that we can go out during the day without melting into a puddle, it’s the perfect time to explore what The City has to offer. It’s not just dining, drinking and shopping – there are plenty of cool activities going down that you might not even know about. From live tunes to garden parties and even interactive skylines, we’ve rounded up a list of things happening in The City this May that deserve your attention. more
Some people would look at a mountain (or a cliff, or a lake, or some other rugged topographical feature) and see it as something to be avoided. Other people look at these things and see them as enormous challenges to be conquered or playthings to explore. Though the more tame amongst us can only dream of the thrill that comes with conquering peaks and dangling off rock faces, we can experience the excitement second-hand. Whether you’re a daredevil or a keen observer, the Banff Mountain Film Festival is rolling into the Brisbane Powerhouse from April 9–14 to get your adrenaline well and truly pumping. more
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you may have noticed that Brisbane was privy to a pretty spectacular opening recently. Patricia Piccinini’s hotly anticipated Curious Affection exhibition has finally landed at GOMA, bringing the artist’s famously weird, wonderful and totally unique sculptures for us to witness up close. If you’ve been wondering what has inspired Patricia’s hybrid creatures, this might shed a little light. Coming to GOMA’s Cinémathèque from April 6 to May 30, the Curious Affection film program presents a selection of flicks that reflect Patricia’s interests and complement the content of her fascinating exhibition. more
Most people can relate to the intrinsic link between smell and memory – whether it’s passing a stranger wearing the same perfume of an ex-lover or coming across a flower that used to grow in your grandmother’s garden, these unexpected moments have the power to transport us back to certain points in time. If you’ve ever been curious as to why these senses are so connected, we’ve found a delicious event to help you discover the links. As part of the World Science Festival Brisbane’s Empire of Our Senses: The Body and Mind in Science program, GOMA has curated a stunning film and dining experience based around the facts of food and memories. Keep Saturday March 24 clear in your diary for a true sensory feast! more
Real talk – there are few things more dreamy than a pop-up outdoor cinema. Whether you’re planning a cute date, looking for something fun to do with the fam or chasing an activity to keep all of your mates happy, seeing a flick under the stars is a winner for all occasions. Brisbane is about to be gifted a brand-new player in the pop-up movie theatre game – from Thursday March 15, Sunset Cinema will be landing at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha to screen everything from cult classics to big-name blockbusters for your entertainment. more
Brisbane, we'd like you to meet HOTA (Home of the Arts). It's possible you've actually met before – HOTA was formerly known as The Arts Centre Gold Coast and as of today (Tuesday February 6) will be officially named Home of the Arts. This is way more than just a shiny new name – the announcement also marks the unveiling of the cultural precinct's $37.5-million outdoor theatre, which is underscored by a spectacular program of events that will take the city's arts and culture scene to dizzying new heights. If it's been a while in between trips, it's high time you ventured down to check it out. more
Have you ever been holed up on the couch after pulling a sickie just so you could watch the Oscars live from the Dolby Theatre? Are you the sort of person who has IMDB bookmarked? Have you ever disowned a friend for posting spoilers on Facebook? Sounds like you're a movie buff, and as a movie buff we've found something that is bound to get you all kinds of excited. Sweeping through Sanctuary Cove for two jam-packed days from November 21, the third annual Sanctuary Film Festival will be bringing a bumper program of live entertainment, interactive workshops and more movies than you can snap a clapperboard at. more
When you think about Noosa, your mind probably wanders to thoughts of pristine beaches, lush national parks, high-end shopping on Hastings and hazy days spent in the sun. Whilst all of this is part of what makes the Sunshine Coast hotspot famous, Noosa also has a thriving cultural scene that is truly blossoming into its own unique entity. One of the key events emerging in this renaissance is the Noosa International Film Festival, returning for its second outing following a sterling debut last year. Running from October 26–29, the world-class event brings a taste of film, rock, talks and workshops from all around the globe to the coast. more
Going to the movies as an adult seems to be a rare treat for most of us – it’s so nice to be able to kick back for a couple of hours and truly switch off from the world. While we have no complaints about the traditional formula of popcorn, frozen Coke and blasting air-conditioning, sometimes it’s nice to shake it up and take advantage of our dreamy Brisbane climate. American Express Openair Cinemas is taking up residence in the lush South Bank Parklands from October 6 to November 19, bringing a fresh and seasonal spin to your movie-going experience – trust us when we say this is one instance where the question “Do you want to take this outside?” should be met with the affirmative. more
There’s plenty to love about Italy and we all know it – from the joyful nature of its population to the absolutely amazing food, Italian culture has got it going on. One of the strongest points of the country is its film scene, which blends a rich history with forward-thinking innovations to create works that can be admired the world over. From September 20 to October 8, the Palace Barracks and Palace Centro Cinemas will play host to a stunning selection of both old and new cinematic gems from our favourite pasta-fuelled European country – that’s right, the Lavazza Italian Film Festival is back, bella! more
If you’re the sort of person who gets squeamish at the sight of blood or jumps when someone slams a door, it’s probably best you exit right about now. If, on the other hand, you are a fiend for the macabre and consider on-screen disembowelment the height of entertainment, we have some news that will excite you greatly. Co-presented with Brisbane Festival, Gothic, Giallo, Gore: Masters of Italian Horror brings the works of three major figures of the iconic Italian genre to GOMA from September 8 to October 1. Bring a friend because things are about to get very, very spooky … more
You know how the old song goes – America, f*** yeah! Jokes aside, it’s hard to deny that the US of A is a very serious global leader on many fronts, particularly when it comes to culture. Like it or not, the American influence is everywhere – from the burger bar around the corner to our favourite shows on Netflix. So why not embrace it? The American Essentials Film Festival is coming to the Palace Centro Cinemas from May 17–28, bringing with it a swag of flicks that cover everything from body horror to the unifying power of sausage dogs. more