Queer Screen Film Fest 2019 is ready to set your world ablaze with a diverse range of LGBTIQ stories across narrative features, documentaries, and shorts.
The 7th Queer Screen Film Fest hits Sydney screens next month with tickets now on sale at queerscreen.org.au The full program runs from Wednesday 18 September to Sunday 22 September at Event Cinemas George Street, and thanks to the City of Sydney includes a free outdoor 30 year anniversay screening of the animated classic The Little
Mermaid at Sydney Park, St Peters on Sunday 15 September..
Queer Screen Film Fest 2019 is ready to set your world ablaze with a diverse range of LGBTIQ stories across narrative features, documentaries, and shorts. Boasting 29 films from 12 countries, including 22 Sydney Premieres and a focus on romantic films set to light your fire.
“With our theme of ‘Light Your Fire’ we are asking the audience to engage their hearts and minds and join us in witnessing passion on screen in a variety of circumstances. From sexy and intense romances, to passionate causes, strength in adversity, fanatical obsessions with camp classics and the incredible desire to create a family. Use the festival to embrace your passion for film and our community and ignite some passions of your own.”
says Festival Director, Lisa Rose
Kicking things off is the newest queer masterpiece, a slowburn 18th century lesbian romance, Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Winning Best Screenplay and the Queer Palm at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, it’s been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike.
Another Cannes hit in the progam, Pain and Glory, comes from queer film favourite Pedro Almodóvar, and stars Antonio Banderas and Penélope Cruz in a wistful, vibrant meditation on sexuality, mortality, and the bond between mother and son.
Fresh from their Australian Premieres at the Melbourne International Film Festival, are the witty and sharply observed Benjamin from comedian Simon Amstell which closes out the festival, the very sensual and intriguing End of the Century, and the tender and profund documentary Seahorse which charts a gay transmans journey to birth his own child.
We are super excited about what is sure to be a highlight of the festival, a camp double feature with You Don’t Nomi that celebrates the trash masterpiece that is Showgirls. Revelling in all its hilarious flaws, this doco is a must for fans of this all-time camp classic. To be followed by the 1995 film itself in a stunning 4K digital restoration! Don your finest “Versayce” for a night you won’t forget!
Three Australian Premieres not to miss include Sidra Smith’s episodic A Luv Tale: The Series a sexy love letter to queer women of colour, and a stylish celebration of modern day Harlem: its history, art, culture, and music.
Festival guest Laurie Lynd’s thought-provoking documentary Killing Patient Zero is a powerful cinematic exoneration of Gaëtan Dugas, the Canadian man falsely accused of introducing AIDS to North America.
Same But Different: A True New Zealand Love Story brings the love and laughs for an attractive Kiwi odd couple in this funny, moving, cross-cultural romantic comedy based on the real life romance of writer director Nikki Si’ulepa and producer Rachel Aneta Wills, who will be guests of the festival.
This is just a taste of what is on offer, see queerscreen.org.au for the full line up and details on how to enter Queer Screen Pitch Off. Queer Screen Film Fest 2019 is proudly supported by The Star Sydney, City of Sydney and Event Cinemas George Street. 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.
