It’s Drag Queen Drive-In Time!

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**THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT.**

LGBTIQ+ communities and allies across the country can access over 35 feature films, documentaries and shorts as the 8th Queer Screen Film Fest goes online and on-demand.

Sydneysiders will also be treated to a drag double feature at the Skyline Drive-In (STAGE MOTHER and THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT) and two social but safe screenings of the powerful documentary, WELCOME TO CHECHNYA.

The program will be available for 11 days from Thursday 17 September to Sunday 27 September and Festival Director, Lisa Rose says it is exciting to reach new audiences and go virtual.

“Queer Screen has adapted to the ‘new normal’ by offering the program Australia-wide for the first time and making sure its loyal Sydney-based audience is also treated to a festival first.”

Skyline Drive-In at Blacktown will go fully camp on Saturday 26 September, as it hosts the Sydney premiere of STAGE MOTHER, starring Aussie legend Jacki Weaver, as a conservative Southern choir leader who inherits a drag club from her late son. With a stellar cast that also includes Lucy Liu, Adrian Grenier and Mya Taylor, it is a sassy and inspiring comedy that’s not to be missed.

No drag double feature would be complete without a retrospective screening of gay classic Australia gave to the world – THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT.

Sit back in the comfort of your car and quote the script, sing along to the soundtrack, enjoy the spectacular Oscar-winning outfits and cheer every moment of this down-under delight!

“In this time of social distancing the drive-in is having quite the resurgence and we are so excited to be bringing two really fun films to the really big screen. There isn’t a better way to spend a Saturday night.” Rose said.

The festival will also feature one other social but safe screening in partnership with Antenna Documentary Film Festival of Award-winning filmmaker David France’s WELCOME TO CHECHNYA. An unflinching documentary that gives survivors and activists a voice in an urgent exposé of the ongoing attack on Chechen LGBTIQ+ people. Screening Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September at Palace’s Chauvel Cinema.

The full festival program runs from Thursday 17 September to Sunday 27 September, with the program of online screenings announced on Thursday 3 September to include three packages of short films available for free.

“2020 has proven to be a year of challenges and changes. For us, it has presented a unique opportunity to bring an incredible program of new LGBTIQ+ films directly into people’s homes and devices across the whole of Australia. We can’t wait to announce the full program and let our diverse community immerse themselves in stories from around the globe.” said Festival Director, Lisa Rose.