Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2015

Overview

Lesbian hustlers, homophobic smartphones and the grandfather of gay porn. These are just a few of the colourful characters you’ll meet at this year’s Melbourne Queer Film Festival, as it dives head first into its vibrant 25th year. One of the oldest queer film fests anywhere in the world, the latest edition of MQFF features more than 180 features, docos and shorts, plus parties, panels and a whole lot more.

The festival begins on Thursday, March 19, with Brazilian coming-of-age drama The Way He Looks. It’s a recurrent theme on this year’s program, with several other standouts — including Boys and Blackbird — tackling questions of sexuality and youth.

More genre-centric titles include Lyle, a lesbian horror flick starring Girls’ Gaby Hoffman, and In Hiding, a Polish psychological thriller set during WWII. There’s also a contingent of Australian titles, including the confronting beachside drama Drown and high-energy crime caper All About E.

The film program is complemented by an array of extracurricular activities. This year’s panel discussions will cover everything from Australian queer cinema to gay gaming culture, while tickets to the always popular speed dating sessions are already selling fast.