Queer Screen.s 24th Mardi Gras Film Festival

From James Franco making porn to a sing-a-long with Doris Day, Queer Screen's 24^th Mardi Gras Film Festival has something for everyone whether it's an inspiring political documentary, a tear-jerking drama or a sexy romp!

Tickets are now on sale at queerscreen.org.au for the full program which runs from 15 February to 2 March in Event Cinemas George St and other venues. Featuring a world premiere, four international premieres, a massive 31 Australian premieres and MOONLIGHT, the winner of the Golden Globe for Best Picture – Drama, the range of films cover important issues like safe schools, marriage equality, economic migration, political asylum, and the struggles of ageing, alongside a lot of fun films celebrating the sequined, sexy and sultry side of queer life.

'Continuing our focus on diversity and aiming to be a truly representative LGBTIQ film festival has been our guiding vision," explains Festival Director Paul Struthers. 'While we still feature this year's best coming-of-age movies, we are screening stories about the young and old in our community and everyone in between. Building on last year's expanded program, we have again increased the proportion of lesbian and transgender content and included more people of colour".

There is a green hue to this year's Festival as for the first time, both Opening and Closing Nights are Irish films. The Opening night audience will fall in love with award-winning drama A DATE FOR MAD MARY which premiered at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. Root for fresh-out-of-prison Mary as she desperately seeks a date for her best friend's wedding. Closing the Festival is HANDSOME DEVIL, a comedy about geeky student Ned and his school's reaction to a blossoming friendship with sporty jock Connor. Recently shown at the Toronto International Film Festival, the screening with be followed by a very special party hosted by Irish -royalty' – the Queen of Ireland, Panti Bliss.

Queer Screen's President Lisa Rose welcomes the Festival's newest sponsors, Major Partner American Express and Sponsors Accenture and Lush Cosmetics. 'We couldn't run the Festival without the fantastic support of our sponsors and this year we are thrilled to partner with leading LGBTI allies such as The Star Sydney, American Express, AGL, Event Cinemas George St, Optus, Monash IVF, Accenture, Lush Cosmetics and SBS who alongside our other treasured core Festival and Queer Screen sponsors, will work with us to deliver the biggest and best Mardi Gras Festival yet".