The complete Melbourne Queer Film Festival program will be revealed in March, but here’s a glimpse of what’s in store with these festival highlights just announced.

The Summer of Sangaile

Taking home the Directing prize in Sundance’s international Dramatic Competition last year, The Summer of Sangaile is a sensual teen romance that chronicles one fateful summer in the life of budding pilot Sangaile, who falls hard for the free-spirited Auste.  Beautifully shot and anchored by charismatic performances from its central leads, The Summer of Sangaile captures the swoon of first love.

Departure

Departure is a sensitive and captivating coming-of-age drama set in the south of France.  A family vacation takes a surprising turn with the arrival of Clement, a rough and handsome village youth who becomes the object of desire for both mother and son.  Starring Juliet Stevenson.

Portrait of a Serial Monogamist

Portrait of a Serial Monogamist is a contemporary romantic comedy that explores the dating perils of a self-professed serial monogamist who, while unable to remain single for long, is quick to end her relationships and move onto the next best thing—featuring a winning performance from lead Diane Flacks and a fantastic female ensemble.

Girls Lost

Based on the acclaimed Swedish Young Adult novel of the same name, Girls Lost is an engrossing gender-swapping fantasy that follows the plight of three outcast teenage girls who happen upon a mysterious plant that can change their gender overnight.  While under its bewitching effect, the girls discover a whole new perspective on their high school life while grappling with the personal awakenings and sexual confusion the transformation brings about.

The Glamour and the Squalor

In 2016, MQFF presented an exciting new music strand celebrating queer musicians, innovators and trendsetters, including the Australian premiere of The Glamour and the Squalor.  This revealing and highly entertaining documentary follows the career of radio DJ and taste-maker Marco Collins, introducing the world to grunge music and instrumental in launching the careers of Nirvana, Beck, Pearl Jam and Weezer.

Chemsex

Chemsex is an eye-opening and unflinching documentary that looks at the devastating effect of the use of amphetamines in London’s gay community. This candid portrayal explores the impulses and desires that lead these men into a hedonistic spiral of sex and drugs while offering sobering reports from sexual health workers who witness an alarming increase in HIV infections.

Remembering the Man

Based on Timothy Conigrave’s acclaimed and much-loved memoir Holding the Man, Remembering the Man is a moving documentary that chronicles the relationship between Conigrave and his long-term partner John Caleo. Featuring intimate and little-seen archival footage of the two men, the film is a tender tribute to their relationship while offering a chronicle of the emergence and devastating effect of the AIDS virus in Australia. MQFF is proud to present Remembering the Man as its Centrepiece film.

Tab Hunter Confidential

From the award-winning director of I Am Divine and Vito, Jeffrey Schwarz, comes this highly entertaining documentary about 50s teen movie idol Tab Hunter, Tab Hunter Confidential.  Once one of Hollywood’s biggest draw cards, Hunter reflects on what it was like to be in the closet within the film industry and what happens when Hollywood turns it back on you.  Featuring insightful interviews with George Takei, John Waters, Debbie Reynolds and Clint Eastwood.

MQFF Program Manager Spiro Economopoulos said, “I’m really excited in bringing you my first MQFF program and a sneak peek of the new strands we are introducing. I’m particularly thrilled by our music focus which is something that is close to my heart.”