Queer Screen Film Fest

Queer Screen Film Fest

The 5th Queer Screen Film Fest hits Sydney screens next month with tickets now on sale at queerscreen.org.au

 

The full program runs from Tuesday 19 September to Sunday 24 September at Event Cinemas George Street, and includes a free outdoor Rainbow Families screening of of the Disney animated film Moana at Sydney Park, St Peters on Saturday 16 September in the lead up to the festival.

Featuring 20 films from four continents, including 16 Australian premieres, Queer Screen Film Fest showcases a diverse range of LGBTIQ stories across narrative features, documentaries and shorts.

Thanks to a partnership with City of Sydney, Queer Screen Film Fest will present three free film events for the whole community. In addition to the outdoor family screening of Moana at Sydney Park, there is a seniors (and friends) viewing of the moving documentary The Lavender Scare, complete with afternoon tea, and a youth event featuring Behind The Curtain: Todrick Hall, a high energy documentary following the titular YouTube and Rupaul's Drag Race sensation.

'Being able to give back and reach out to the community is something Queer Screen views as vitally important, and through our strong relationship with City of Sydney we are again able to provide free entertainment that focuses on three pillars of the LGBTIQ community: families, seniors and youth" says Festival Director, Lisa Rose.

Another key element of the 5th Queer Screen Film Fest is while seeing a growth in screenings, it has managed to maintain a balance between the lesbian focused films and films about gay men.

'The fact that we have increased our screenings to 20 films across 15 sessions this year, but have parity between the lesbian focussed films with that of gay men, is something I really wanted to achieve for my first festival. Not many, if any, LGBTIQ Film Festivals can claim that, and I'm incredibly proud that Queer Screen champions the visibility of women in film and society." explains Festival Director, Lisa Rose.

There's a tantalising array of films that cover a broad range of the LGBTIQ experience and there is sure to be something for everyone.

An all-star queer cast, including the incomparable Alan Cumming, Zachary Booth, Justin Vivian Bond and Wilson Cruz, star in our opening night film, the Australian Premiere of After Louie which addresses the volatile compatibility of different political mindsets of generations of gay men.

Our closing night film is another Australian Premiere that has been called the lesbian Bridesmaids , as we join Constance Wu ( Fresh Off The Boat ) and her bride to be on a lesbian bachelorette weekend away in the sweet, sexy and hilarious romp The Feels.

A highlight for the boys is the Australian Premiere of Dream Boat , which premiered at Berlinale 2017 in the Panorama section and is a fly on the wall documentary following a diverse and sexy group of men on a gay cruise as they bond over sex, identity and love.

In the beautiful and genuine Sisterhood (winner of the Audience Award at Inside Out - Toronto's Gay and Lesbian Film Festival), we follow Cici as she returns from Taiwan to Macau to mourn a lost friend, Ling, and reconnect with the past she has long left behind.

Even if you already know of Marsha P. Johnson and fellow Stonewall veteran Sylvia Rivera, it won't stop you from being captivated by the examination of their lives and Marsha's untimely death in 1992 in the riveting documentary about this incredible trans woman of colour, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

For those who want some light entertainment to give their stomach muscles a workout, should check out Queer Screen Film Fest's inaugural collection of Comedy Shorts . From hilarious hook ups, to a misplaced ping pong ball, there's comedy galore its line up.

Queer Screen Film Fest 2017 is proudly supported by The Star Sydney, Event Cinemas George Street and the City of Sydney.

Tickets for all films are on sale now, including flexi passes to 5 films. Please visit queerscreen.org.au or the Queer Screen app to book or call (02) 9280 1533 to become a Queer Screen member for discounted tickets and priority entry