Rewind To Fast Forward At Melbourne Queer Film Festival

The 33^rd annual Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) opens Thursday 9 November with the provocation Rewind to Fast Forward.

The boundary-pushing, joy-filled program showcases the indisputable existence of LGBTQIA+ people throughout history. Captured through the film’s immortalising lens, MQFF loudly and proudly highlights how queer people have always been an integral part of humanity and always will.

Running from 9 – 19 November 2023, MQFF audiences can expect a prime selection of local and international drama, comedy, documentary, and everything in between. The program features 50 feature films and 17 documentaries, 11 short film packages, 3 world premieres, 26 Australian premieres and 19 Victorian premieres.

David Martin Harris, MQFF CEO said: “We cannot wait to share this spectacular array of films with queer Victorians and those who love us – we’ve scoured the planet for 12 months to find the most incredible new LGBTQIA+ stories – there’s something for everyone: hysterical comedy, campy horror, we’re serving drama, new Australian work, famous faces, the shorts packages are just brilliant! This MQFF is all about solidarity, connection, and joy.”

The Festival’s Centrepiece Presentation is the Victorian premiere of Marinette (2023, France), which tells the story of Marinette Pichon, one of the world’s most influential women’s soccer players and a French lesbian icon. In this compelling rags-to-riches biopic, we follow her stop-start rise to prominence as one of the greatest players ever to grace a soccer pitch. The screening takes place on 16 November at Village Cinemas Jam Factory and will be followed by celebrations at Roc’s Bar & Kitchen.

The full MQFF program is available now at mqff.com.au and includes an Early Bird Discount available for all concession card holders. Opening and Closing Night tickets have been dropped to a standard ticket price to make the festival more accessible during the current cost-of-living crisis. MQFF Memberships are available here.