Brisbane Queer Film Festival 2017

Overview

Brisbane's only celebration of queer cinema has announced its first films for 2017, with a fresh selection of lesbian, gay, bi, trans, gender diverse and multigenerational movies heading to New Farm Cinemas from March 10 to 19. Eager to take an in-depth look at the art form that is voguing, and the world that surrounds it? Explore the ups and downs of an intimate relationship? Catch an Aussie coming-of-age flick? Watch new Brazilian television? Dive into a romantic drama starring Mistress America's Lola Kirke? You'll find all of that and more in the Brisbane Queer Film Festival program this year.

After impressing audiences at last year's Sydney and Melbourne film festivals, Kiki kicks off the BQFF 2017 lineup, while Berlinale 2016 Teddy award winner Tomcat bookends the fest with an intimate tale about two men and their beloved pet feline. In between, multicultural queer effort Teenage Kicks, four episodes of Portuguese-language runaway drama The Nest and small-town drama AWOL also prove highlights, alongside 12 other features and two shorts sessions that reflect modern queer life and contemporary forms of storytelling.

If that sounds like must-see viewing, then keep your eyes peeled for a second announcement, with seven of the festival's titles due to be revealed on January 30. And, as exciting as it is to discover that you'll be feasting your eyes on everything US black comedy Women Who Kill to the launch of Brisbane web series Two Weeks to documentary Out Run, which tells the story of Bemz Benedito's attempts to become the first transgender woman in the Philippine Congress, that isn't the only news on offer.

With BQFF turning 18, it's also branching out on its own and becoming an independent event. After forming part of Brisbane Powerhouse's slate of festivals, the fest moves out of home for its 2017 run. While BQFF has screened at external cinemas for the last two years, this year it will become its own individual entity. For eager movie buffs, that means a whole separate party in addition to and at a later date from Powerhouse's MELT — or, two ace reasons to celebrate queer arts and culture at two different times, rather than one.