It's always a busy time for film festivals in Brisbane. This year, one moves to a new home, another keeps doing what it does best, and plenty of other cultural-focused cinema events keep shining a spotlight on the best flicks specific countries have to offer. Add to that the city's dedicated virtual reality film festival, which will make its return after a successful, sold-out first year in 2017.
Taking over the Brisbane Powerhouse from August 21 to 26, the Australian Virtual Reality Film Festival isn't like every other film fest. Its second-year program will screen short film and documentaries and highlight the innovative work of emerging filmmakers, but it's all in VR. Accordingly, instead of staring communally up at a big screen, attendees will strap on a headset and watch at their own leisure.
Films include a walk behind the razor wire on Manus Island, fitting called Inside Manus; one man's attempt to chase the longest wave in the world in Take Every Wave; street artist portrait RONE; and Indigenous futurism effort Biidaaban. AVRFF also features a program of talks and workshops for those keen to know more about the field, including a keynote address on opening night by illustrator, interactive designer and writer Sutu, the illustration artist behind Inside Manus.