Overview
Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrations are coming back in force, but past the parade, fair day and special events popping up over town, there's a special celebration of LGBTQI+ filmmaking that's also making its return: the 33rd Mardi Gras Film Festival, which returns to Event Cinemas George Street and Dendy Newtown from Thursday, February 12 to Thursday, February 26.
Queer Screen has announced the full program for this year's festival, packed with 139 outstanding feature films, documentaries and short films sourced from 38 countries — including six world premieres, five international premieres and 64 Australian premieres.
'She's the He', directed by Siobhan McCarthy
Highlight entries in the program include an opening night screening of Jimpa, directed by Australian filmmaker Sophie Hyde and starring Olivia Colman (The Roses), John Lithgow (The Old Man) and Aud Mason-Hyde (Fucking Adelaide). There's also the steamy, leather-clad Pillion, starring Alexander Skarsgård (Murderbot) opposite Harry Melling (The Queen's Gambit) and closing night film She's the He starring Misha Osherovich (Freaky), Malia Pyles (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) and Nico Carney.
Also featuring in the program is The Chronology of Water, the directorial debut of Kristen Stewart, starring Imogen Poots (28 Weeks Later) as a young woman who escapes a toxic childhood through competitive swimming and sexual experimentation; Love Me Tender, starring Vicky Krieps (Phantom Thread) and Antoine Reinartz (Anatomy of a Fall) in a story about a woman maintaining a maternal bond in the midst of a divorce and A Deeper Love: The Story of Miss Peppermint, a look behind the scenes of the RuPaul's Drag Race star's rise to fame.
'The Chronology of Water', directed by Kristen Stewart
In terms of returning classics, attendees can look forward to a 4k restoration of Lisa Cholodenko's High Art, a 30th anniversary screening of the Australian classic Love and Other Catastrophes, the 50th anniversary of the John Hurt-starring The Naked Civil Servant and a showcase of Castration Movie Anthology II: The Best of Both Worlds, presented in partnership with Pink Flamingo and with director Louise Weard in attendance.
"This festival would not be possible without our generous partners, donors, members, community supporters, as well as the festival team and volunteers who have put in countless hours to make it happen. It's an honour to be able to lead the team and carry forward Queer Screen's legacy after 32 years. I warmly welcome you back to the cinema to experience the magic with us," said Queer Screen CEO Benson Wu.
'Love and Other Catastrophes', directed by Emma Kate-Croghan
Queer Screen Programming and Industry Manager Andrew Wilkie added, "At a time when our community is facing increased persecution both here and abroad – particularly our trans siblings – seeing authentic LGBTIQ+ stories on our screens is more important than ever. Our continued visibility in the face of bigotry sends a clear message: we refuse to hide or be silenced. And that's the theme that permeates this entire program, films all about being unapologetically queer and finding community."
Mardi Gras Film Festival will run at Event Cinemas George Street and Dendy Newtown from Thursday, February 12 to Thursday, February 26. For the full program or for more information, visit the website.
Lead image: 'Pillion', directed by Harry Lighton.
Images courtesy of Queer Screen.