2022 MQFF Program Guide

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32 ND MELBOURNE
FILM FESTIVAL 10–21 NOVEMBER 2022 MQFF.COM.AU
QUEER
3 Wind your way through our city’s laneways and discover vibrant street art by local creatives.
MELBOURNE’S ICONIC LANEWAYS HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED FLASH-FWD.COM
PHOTO BY NICOLE REED

WELCOME TO MQFF32

The City of Melbourne proudly supports the 32nd Melbourne Queer Film Festival.

We celebrate the ways these 49 feature films and documentaries, and 12 shorts packages help make our city more vibrant and welcoming, and cement Melbourne’s reputation as the undisputed events and arts capital of Australia.

We are particularly excited that the festival includes 35 Australian premieres, and four Melbourne premieres. Melbourne is a deeply caring city. We want to support

It takes an entire community to mount the Melbourne Queer Film Festival. From our staff, Nathan, Jack, Steven, Spiro; to our dedicated Board of Directors led by Gail Veal and David Micallef; to our selection panels; to our beloved donor program, Sweethearts; to our community collaborators; to our incredible volunteers; to the proud pride networks of our sponsors; to our government partners; to our venues; as well as the hundreds of filmmakers and artists — all of whom believe

To paraphrase Diana Ross, we’re coming back out and we want the world to know. With the world recalibrating, we all find ourselves coming back out. Again.

We’ve all watched a lot of films, series and a lot of Youtube over the last couple of years, but let’s face it - no matter how big your TV is or how much you spend on that soundbar, it’s just not the same. We’re thrilled that we’re no longer just idling on the tarmac, and the 2022 Festival is a great opportunity for us all to take flight - culturally, intellectually and most importantly, socially. Now is the time for us to reconnect and revel in the fabulous things our community creates!

I’m really proud of the work I do and the joy it gives me, and I hope that will be abundantly clear to you in this year’s

everyone to show up as their true selves, and each year we look forward to our theatres springing to life with the celebrated spirit of inclusivity that is synonymous with this festival.

Broaden your perspective with 12 days of film that invite you to walk in the shoes of someone else for a moment. The City of Melbourne is honoured to again present the Award for Best Australian Short Film and encourage local filmmaking talent, particularly following the impacts of the pandemic on our creative industry.

The fact the festival showcases 30 features, documentaries and shorts from Australian filmmakers – 20 per cent of whom are Victorian – proves we are bounding back with great tenacity.

Thank you to the filmmakers, organisers, volunteers and ticket holders for making this – Australia’s biggest queer film festival – possible. We are so pleased to welcome you back to Melbourne.

in the power that queer film has to change lives — we thank you all deeply for your contribution to the largest and oldest queer film festival in Australia.

This dedication and passion have culminated once again to bring a monumental and intersectional offering of LGBTIQ+ stories from Australia and around the world to Melbourne for our 32nd annual Festival. And we are back in full swing, inviting the community to come together for culture sharing, to laugh, to be moved, to connect, and to celebrate queer lives and stories.

We have curated a festival to experience Melbourne, and I encourage you all to visit our different venues for unique experiences in film and in dining around our beautiful city. Welcome to MQFF32! We look forward to seeing you at the cinema and at our events.

program. It’s the accumulation of a lot of work and a lot of challenges, but observing people connect with one another across the 12 days is the sweetest payoff.

MQFF32 has come back stronger than ever with our featured prime selection of local and international drama, comedy, documentary and everything in between and this year we are thrilled to launch initiatives like the spotlights on Brazilian cinema and my personal favourite, Freak out! - our weird and very queer genre showcase. And for the first time and under the sage advice of the gay saint George Michael, we’ll be taking you outside with our outdoor screenings on the Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop.

The landscape of queer cinema has shifted a lot over the years. There’s more on offer, in more formats, more perspectives and a swell of exciting new voices engaged in this celluloid space we’ve created for you. Ultimately MQFF is about bringing joy. It’s about challenging your views, it’s about understanding other people’s experiences, mingling them with your own and evolving. I hope you find something to love in the program and I look forward to seeing you all in sessions, at panels and on the stairwells.

WELCOME
Lord Mayor of Melbourne
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Melbourne Queer Film Festival acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we live, work and learn, and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ spirit, imagination and rich history of storytelling that is an inspiration to all Australians.
WATCH NOW
@chapelprecinct

PLEASE SCAN FOR THE LATEST SESSION TIMES. IN RARE INSTANCES, SOME SESSION TIMES MAY CHANGE. PLEASE CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR OUR LATEST SESSION TIMES – MQFF.COM.AU

TICKETS

Booking fees may apply. MQFF is a Registered Charity, and donations over $2 are tax deductible. Please support the future of the Festival by adding a donation to your ticket purchases.

Opening Night

Full $90.00 / Concession $72.00 / Member $70.00

Closing Night

Full $30.00 / Concession $22.00 / Member $25.00

Australian Feature of the Year

Full $45.00 / Concession $28.00 / Member $30.00

Single Tickets

Full $21.30 / Concession $18.30 / Member or Groups (10+) $17.30

Rooftop Cinema General Seating

Full $24.50 / Concession $21.00 / Member $19.00

Rooftop Cinema Bean Bag Seating

Full $49.00 / Concession $42.00 / Member $39.00

MQFF Membership

Membership is a great way to support queer cinema, plus it offers a raft of benefits, including discounted tickets, priority access to cinemas and free member screenings throughout the year. Visit mqff.com.au/ membership for more information.

CLASSIFICATION

The Classification Board grants MQFF special customs and censorship clearances, which means all audience members must be 18 years or over except where indicated.

CONCESSION TICKETS

Full-time students, pensioners, unwaged and seniors.

BLACKTIX

$10 tickets for First Nations people. Available for general sessions and subject to availability.

REFUNDS POLICY

All purchases are non-refundable, except in some instances when a session is cancelled. Exchanges can be made up to 2 hours before a session commences and incur fees. For outdoor screenings at the Victorian Pride Centre, sessions are subject to postponement to a later date in instances of poor weather conditions. Visit mqff.com.au for full terms and conditions.

ACCESS

HOW TO BUY TICKETS

Download the app

Browse and purchase tickets on the official MQFF iPhone or Android app. No printing is required – bring your smartphone to be scanned at the door. Book online or on the MQFF App MQFF tickets can be purchased online via our mobile app or website – ticket sales are unavailable in cinemas. We strongly encourage you to book online to avoid disappointment.

For detailed information and a complete list of Open Caption and Subtitled screenings, visit mqff.com.au/access.

MQFF is committed to increasing accessibility across the festival. All MQFF venues are wheelchair accessible and have accessible toilets. MQFF supports and accepts the Companion Card. To book tickets using your Companion Card, to book a wheelchair space, or to advise us of your needs, don’t hesitate to contact us via email: info@mqff. com.au. Companion Card tickets and wheelchair spaces are currently unable to be booked online.

CONTENT WARNINGS

We pride ourselves on showing the best and most innovative in contemporary queer cinema. We wish to advise that some of the films we screen may be challenging for viewers. While we endeavour to include appropriate content warnings with each film description, we understand that some content may be triggering or concerning. If you would like further information about the content of any film or advice about whether it would be suitable for you or others, please feel free to contact us. We will happily provide information about content themes such as violence, drug use, explicit content, homophobic language, religious themes, suicide or anything else you may find concerning. Contact info@mqff.com.au

TICKETS 3
$59
5
$95
7
$130
10
MQFF+ (online screenings) $14 Single / $12 Concession or Member / $20 Household All-In Pass (Must be an MQFF Member to purchase) $335 Member (includes all screenings, events & MQFF+) PASSES 3 Film Pass
Full / $51 Concession / $49 Member
Film Pass
Full / $82 Concession / $77 Member
Film Pass
Full / $111 Concession / $105 Member
Film Pass $177 Full / $152 Concession / $143 Member MQFF Membership $68 Full / $58 Concession / $47 Under 30

ENJOY A SELECTION OF FEATURES, DOCUMENTARIES AND SHORTS SHOWING AT MQFF32 FROM THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME. BOOK YOUR TICKETS EARLY AS SESSIONS WILL SELL OUT!

HOW DO I PURCHASE TICKETS FOR FILMS STREAMING ON MQFF+?

Purchase tickets for MQFF+ sessions through our website or app.

1. Browse our program at mqff.com.au/program. 2. Go to the page of the film you want to see and select your tickets. 3. Checkout and pay for your tickets. If you’re using a pass, checkout and confirm the tickets to be redeemed on your pass.

HOW DO I WATCH FILMS THROUGH MQFF+?

Once you’ve purchased your tickets through the MQFF website

1. Head to mqff.com.au/account to login to your account. 2. In your Account Dashboard, click the button located on the left-hand side of the screen that says, ‘On Demand’. 3. Click to select and watch the films that you’ve purchased tickets for.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT MQFF.COM.AU/MQFF+

MQFF+ –WATCH ONLINE 4
MQFF+ THE FESTIVAL COMES TO YOU WITH MQFF+ STREAMING ONLINE FROM NOV 21 – 27
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6 OPENING NIGHT OPENING NIGHT: COUPLE THE BRILLIANT CONSTRUCTION WITH THE INTENSE PERFORMANCES FROM SABOIA AND FASANARO, AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE MORE MEMORABLE FOREIGN ROMANCE FILMS IN RECENT MEMORY. - FILM THREAT

MELBOURNE PREMIERE

DIR: Aly Muritiba, Brazil, Portugal, 2021, 120 mins, U18+

SESSION: Thu 10 Nov at 6:00pm, ACMI (open captions) Red Carpet at 6:00pm Screening at 6.30pm followed by the official MQFF32 Opening Night Party

A tale in two parts – lovers who’ve not met, separated by miles of desert – a journey of transcendence, of knowing one’s true desires.

Burned-out cop, Daniel, throws caution to the wind and sets out to find his online crush Sara who ghosted him suddenly. Travelling 2,000 miles across regional Brazil in search of her, Daniel finds himself in a game of cat and mouse. But when Daniel finally finds Sara, she’s not quite what he expected.

Set against a backdrop of provincial conservatism in contemporary Brazil, Private Desert is a journey of the heart that will change Sara and Daniel forever. In the tradition of A Fantastic Woman and Strawberry and Chocolate, the film is a swoony, sun-baked romance and a triumphant affirmation of queer love.

Brazilian entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards.

OPENING NIGHT 7
Portuguese with English subtitles (English language is not subtitled) COURTESY: Intra Movies

AUSTRALIAN FEATURE OF THE YEAR:

8 AUSTRALIAN FEATURE OF THE YEAR

MELBOURNE PREMIERE

DIR: Molly Haddon, Australia, 2022, 77 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Breathless Films

SESSION: Thu 17 Nov at 7.00pm, Village Cinemas Jam Factory

Followed by the MQFF Artist Party at 9.00pm, The Emerson Rooftop

Join us for MQFF’s official Australian Feature of the 2022 Festival, followed by our fabulous Artist Party at The Emerson Rooftop.

Set in Sydney’s Inner West, the lives of three disconnected siblings are turned upside-down when they find themselves forced to live under the same roof. Normalcy seems just within reach until their estranged father resurfaces, dredging up the past. Will they have to reconcile their differences in order to reconcile with this man? And is family really everything in this delightful Indie film?

The Longest Weekend is a positive debut from emerging filmmaker duo Molly Haddon and Jorrden Daley and features screen veterans, Tammy MacIntosh and John Batchelor. After the screening, guests are invited to the MQFF Artist Party at The Emerson Rooftop for complimentary drinks, food, and live queer entertainment till late.

AUSTRALIAN FEATURE OF THE YEAR 9

CLOSING NIGHT:

10 CLOSING NIGHT

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Juliana Curi, Brazil, USA, 2022, 63 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Azores Films

CLOSING NIGHT: Sun 20 Nov at 7.00pm, Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop (open captions)

“The change we need is so profound that it’s often described as impossible. But the impossible is coming. And the unimaginable is due.” – Uýra.

For the MQFF32 Closing Night, we are proud to present UÝRA: The Rising Forest, an awe-inspiring documentary that explores the life and work of trans non-binary Indigenous artist, Uýra. Shot in the breathtaking Amazon Rainforest — the place where Uýra works and draws inspiration — this film highlights their performance art, work critical of environmental destruction, racism, and transphobia. As they travel across the Amazon, sharing ancestral knowledge and speaking to the power of place and identity, Uýra ignites a youth-driven cultural revolution — a courageous antidote to Brazil’s repressive political regime.

UÝRA: The Rising Forest is a superbly lush, ephemeral film in which director Juliana Curi utilises rich colour contrasts and deep, evocative shots to evoke Uýra’s style as both artist and activist — a masterwork of documentary that must be seen the world over.

CLOSING NIGHT 11
Screens with short film ACTS FOR THE INVISIBLE, DIR: Kate Vinen, Australia, 19 mins
12 AUSTRALIAN SHORTS & AWARDS 94 mins SESSIONS: Sat 19 Nov at 4.00pm, ACMI Join us to celebrate the brightest and best Australian queer filmmakers. MQFF’s Australian Shorts & Awards highlight the richness of storytelling and the breadth of original talent working in Australia today. MQFF and the City of Melbourne are proud to present this selection of shorts. After the screening, we will announce the winners of our jury awards. The Winner of the City of Melbourne Award for Best Australian Short will also qualify as MQFF’s official selection for the Iris Prize — the largest prize for LGBTIQ+ short films worldwide. The City of Melbourne Award Best Australian Short Film – $5,000 VicScreen Award Best Director Australian Short Film – $2,500 Shaun Miller Award Best Australian Documentary Short – $1,000 Blackmagic Design Award for Technical Excellence DaVinci Resolve Editor Keyboard – value $1,124 Blackmagic Design Award for Cinematography DaVinci Resolve Micro Panel – value $1,569 MQFF Award for Best First Feature Narrative – $2,500 MQFF Award for Best Feature Documentary – $2,500 MQFF Award for Best International Short Fiction or Documentary – $1,000 Step Right Up Audience Choice Award Best Short Film – $1,000 AUSTRALIAN SHORTS & AWARDS VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE FILM BY RATING FILMS ONLINE AT MQFF.COM.AU OR ON THE APP.
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14 ACMI THURSDAY 10 NOV 6:00pm FRIDAY 11 NOV 6:30pm 6:45pm 9:00pm 9:15pm SATURDAY 12 NOV 3:30pm 3:45pm 6:00pm 6:15pm 8:30pm 8:45pm SUNDAY 13 NOV 1:30pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 4:15pm 6:30pm 6:30pm 8:45pm 9:00pm MONDAY 14 NOV 6:00pm 6:15pm 8:30pm OPENING NIGHT: Private Desert Chrissy Judy Girl Picture In from the Side Sirens Trans-Australiana Shorts Elephant Wet Sand Cop Secret Sleep with Me Hooking Up Shorts Mini-Zlatan and Uncle Darling Black As U R All Man: The International Male Story Young & Queer Shorts Horseplay Documentary Shorts Joyland Laugh Out Proud! Shorts Victorian Queens + The Alexander Ball Esther Newton Made Me Gay Eismayer 8:45pm TUESDAY 15 NOV 6:00pm 6:15pm 8:30pm 8:45pm WEDNESDAY 16 NOV 6:15pm 8:45pm FRIDAY 18 NOV 6:15pm 6:30pm 8:45pm 9:00pm SATURDAY 19 NOV 4:00pm 6:15pm 6:30pm 8:45pm 9:00pm SUNDAY 20 NOV 2:15pm 2:30pm 4:45pm 5:00pm 7:30pm Youtopia The Blue Caftan Ultraviolette & the Blood-Spitters Gang Wandering Heart Breaking the Ice You Can Live Forever So Damn Easy Going All My Friends Are Racist Maybe Someday Pink Flamingos Gay-As-F! Shorts Australian Shorts & Awards Gateways Grind Where Butterflies Don’t Fly GRRLS! Shorts Lonesome Besties Bros From the Asia Pacific Shorts All About Lesbians Shorts 8 Years Train – Flinders Street Station Tram – Any Swanston St or St Kilda Rd tram to stop 13. Trams Route 35, 70 or 75 to stop 6. Fed Square, Melbourne VIC 3000 Centrally located in Melbourne’s bustling arts and entertainment precinct. Make a day of it and check out the interactive museum. Presented in partnership with
Photo: Phoebe Powell
15 VENUE: CINEMA NOVA
NOVA
11 NOV 6:30pm 8 Years 6:45pm Besties 8:45pm Blitzed! 9:00pm Gender Euphoria Shorts SATURDAY 12 NOV 3:30pm Mars One 3:45pm The Blue Caftan 5:45pm My Emptiness and I 6:00pm Single Out 8:00pm All About Lesbians Shorts 8:15pm Wandering Heart TUESDAY 15 NOV 6:00pm God Save the Queens 6:15pm Sleep with Me 8:15pm Follow the Protocol 8:30pm Heartbeast
16 NOV 6:00pm Pat Rocco Dared 6:15pm Nelly & Nadine 8:15pm El Houb 8:30pm GRRRLS! Shorts THURSDAY 17 NOV 6:00pm Sublime 6:15pm Framing Agnes 8:15pm Hypochondriac 8:30pm Joyland SATURDAY 19 NOV 6:00pm When Men Were Men 6:15pm Girl Picture 8:15pm Eismayer 8:30pm Freak Out! Shorts Train – Route 1 or Route 6 to stop 112. Any Swanston Street tram to stop 1. Festival Lounge – Cinema Nova Bar & Kitchen 380 Lygon Street, Carlton VIC 3053 Just a short tram ride or walk from Melbourne CBD. Look out for something uniquely MQFF in the Cinema Nova Bar & Kitchen.
CINEMA
FRIDAY
WEDNESDAY
16 VENUE: VILLAGE CINEMAS JAM FACTORY Presented in partnership with Proudly supported by SATURDAY 12 NOV 6:15pm So Damn Easy Going 6:30pm El Houb 8:45pm Maybe Someday 9:00pm Lonesome SUNDAY 13 NOV 6:15pm Breaking the Ice 6:30pm Unidentified Objects 8:45pm Queer Brazil Shorts 9:00pm The First Fallen MONDAY 14 NOV 6:15pm Sirens 6:30pm Hooking Up Short 8:45pm My Emptiness and I 9:00pm Cop Secret THURSDAY 17 NOV AUSTRALIAN FEATURE OF THE YEAR 7:00pm The Longest Weekend FRIDAY 18 NOV 6:15pm Youtopia 6:30pm Elephant 8:45pm Heartbeast 9:00pm Horseplay SATURDAY 19 NOV 1:15pm That Weekend 1:30pm In from the Side 3:45pm You Can Live Forever 4:00pm Chrissy Judy VILLAGE CINEMAS JAM FACTORY 500 Chapel Street, South Yarra VIC 3141 Village Cinemas will be screening MQFF in its Vpremium and Vmax theatres. Train – South Yarra Station (5 minute walk), Hawksburn Station (5 minute walk). Tram – Route 78 (stop 49 or 48), Route 72 (stop 31, 5 minute walk), Route 58 (stop 128, 5 minute walk) Festival Lounge – Roc’s Bar
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ROOFTOP CINEMA ROOFTOP CINEMA Co-produced and presented in partnership with 79-81 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda VIC 3182 Located in vibrant St Kilda and accessible by tram from the CBD, the Victorian Pride Centre is the first of its kind in Australia. Tram – Route 16 or Route 96 to stop 134 Please note, film screenings will begin at sundown – approximately 8:30pm. In the event of wet weather, ticketholders will be notified of a rescheduled session on a new date. Ticket exchange is available for other Rooftop Cinema screenings only. Special ticket pricing applies for Rooftop Cinema sessions. Visit MQFF website for details. FRIDAY 11 NOV 7:30pm But I’m a Cheerleader (Director’s Cut) SATURDAY 12 NOV 7:30pm 8 Years SUNDAY 13 NOV 7:30pm Gay-As-F! Shorts WEDNESDAY 16 NOV 7:30pm Blitzed! Proudly sponsored by Thorne Harbour Health THURSDAY 17 NOV 7:30pm Chrissy Judy FRIDAY 18 NOV 7:30pm Victorian Queens + The Alexander Ball SATURDAY 19 NOV 7:30pm Laugh Out Proud! Shorts SUNDAY 20 NOV 7:30pm CLOSING NIGHT: Uýra: The Rising Forest
VENUE:

A FANTASTICALLY FUN FILM FOR ALL AGES, RAINBOW FAMILIES SCREENING:

THIS SCREENING IS A DEDICATED SPACE FOR RAMBUNCTIOUS RAINBOW FAMILIES — QUEER KIDS, QUEER PARENTS AND EVEN YOUR FAVOURITE GUNCLE. BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY TO THIS SPECIAL SCREENING OF MINI-ZLATAN AND UNCLE DARLING. BEFORE OR AFTER THE FILM, FAMILIES ARE WELCOME TO EXPLORE ACMI AND ITS EXHIBITIONS.

This film is originally in Swedish language and has been dubbed in English.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Christian Lo, Sweden, Norway, Netherlands, 2022, 80 mins, Unclassified All Ages. COURTESY: Dutch Features SESSION: Sun 13 Nov at 1.30pm, ACMI

Grown-ups:

FAMILIES SCREENING 18
RAINBOW
Special prices apply for this screening
$21.30
Ella is excited about summer with her favourite uncle, Tommy, but things get complicated when Tommy’s new boyfriend Steve enters the picture. Ella takes matters into her own hands, orchestrating a Parent Trap-style summer of disaster in the hope of to getting rid of Steve. Based on the children’s book by Swedish author Pija Lindenbaum. Screens with short film LOOK THE PART DIR: Claire Fletcher, Australia, 2022, 7 mins MINI-ZLATAN AND UNCLE DARLING
Kids 12-18 years old: $12 Kids under 12: Free Please note: Children under 16 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
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FAMILIES SCREENING
RAINBOW

GIRL PICTURE

DIR: Alli Haapasalo, Finland 2022, 100 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Level K

SESSIONS: Fri 11 Nov at 6:45pm, ACMI Sat 19 Nov at 6:15pm, Cinema Nova Finland’s choice for their 2023 Oscar submission, Girl Picture is a lively coming-of-age story that secured the Audience Award in Sundance’s World Dramatic Cinema strand. Aamu Milonoff, Eleonoora Kauhanen and Linnea Leino star as three young women whose chance meeting defies the persistent darkness of Finland’s winter. Fusing dreams, reality, friendship and relationships, Girl Picture follows these women as they struggle to make sense of life and sexuality.

CONTENT ADVICE: Brief English language not subtitled

FEATURES 20
DRAMA
‘GIRL PICTURE IS A CLOSE-TOPERFECT SHOWCASE OF PASSION, DESIRE, AND THE PURSUIT OF LIBERATION WHEN IT COMES TO IDENTITY.’ - SCREEN RANT

8 YEARS

Spanish with English subtitles

DIR: JD Alcazar, Spain, 2021, 100 mins, U18+

COURTESY: The Open Reel

SESSIONS:

Fri 11 Nov at 6.30pm, Cinema Nova Sat 12 Nov at 7:30pm, Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop Sun 20 Nov at 7.30pm, ACMI

The last film shot on La Palma before the 2021 volcano eruption, 8 Years explores the relationship of Jose and David — past lovers who reunite on the island where they first met. Will the island’s spirit be the flame that reignites their relationship? Or will their presence there reveal to Jose a troubling past, romanticised in the waters of time?

CONTENT ADVICE: Themes of animal slaughter and homophobic language

EISMAYER

BESTIES

French

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Marion Desseigne Ravel, France, 2022, 80 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Le Pacte

SESSIONS:

Fri 11 Nov at 6:45pm, Cinema Nova Sun 20 Nov at 2:15pm, ACMI

Rebellious Nedjma spends the summer chilling with her squad. But when Zina, the cousin of her rival, rocks up in town, Nedjma must choose between gang life and love. Besties is a classic tale of lust and rivalry set in modern Paris — a subversive reimagining of West Side Story where queer identity takes the front seat.

love with Falak, a newbie who unashamedly embraces his homosexuality, Eismayer is shaken to the core. Inspired by a true story.

SO DAMN EASY GOING

DIR: Christoffer Sandler, Sweden, Norway, 2022, 90 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Palace Films

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 6.15pm, Village Jam Factory Wed 16 Nov at 8:45pm, ACMI

21 FEATURES
and Arabic with English subtitles DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA COMEDY

Icelandic and English with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Hannes Thór Halldórsson, Iceland, 2021, 98 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Alief

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 6:15pm, ACMI Mon 14 Nov at 9:00pm, Village Jam Factory

After denying his own feelings, a tough super-cop can’t help but fall in love with his new work partner. However, things start to get strange when upon investigating a string of robberies they find nothing seems to be stolen and it only gets more bizarre from there.

CONTENT ADVICE: English language is not subtitled

FEATURES 22
COP SECRET ‘RAUCOUSLY ENTERTAINING ICELANDIC SPOOF COP SECRET SEES DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER HANNES THOR HALLDÓRSSON MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM PROFESSIONAL SPORT TO THE WORLD OF FEATURE FILMS ’ - SCREEN DAILY COMEDY
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BROS

DIR: Nicholas Stoller, USA, 2022, 115 mins

COURTESY: Universal Pictures

SESSIONS:

Sun 20 Nov at 2:30pm, ACMI

From the devilish mind of Billy Eichner, and the hitmaking brilliance of filmmakers Nicholas Stoller (Forgetting Sarah Marshall; Neighbours) and Judd Apatow (Knocked Up; Trainwreck), comes Bros, a smart and swoony semiromantic comedy about how damn hard it is to find another tolerable human being to go through life with.

MAYBE SOMEDAY

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Michelle Ehlen, USA, 2022, 91 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Ballet Diesel Films

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 8:45pm, Village Jam Factory

Fri 18 Nov at 6:30pm, ACMI Session proudly sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills

After separating from their wife, Jay, a 40-something photographer, attempts to move across the country to start their life over again. Along the way, Jay takes a detour, staying with their high school best friend, whom they once loved. The past resurfaces as Jay grapples with the inevitable cycles of love and loss in this intimate and hilarious portrait of one person’s journey to letting go.

YOUTOPIA

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Scout Durwood, USA, 2022, 91 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Scout Durwood

SESSIONS:

Mon 14 Nov at 8.45pm, ACMI

Fri 18 Nov at 6:15pm, Village Jam Factory

COMEDY

WHERE BUTTERFLIES

Czech with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DON’T FLY DRAMA

DIR: Roman Nêmec, Czech Republic, 2022, 126 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Roman Nêmec

SESSIONS:

Sat 19 Nov at 6.30pm, ACMI

Combining narrative storytelling with original comedic music numbers, Youtopia follows the inadvertent formation of a hipster cult. But when members start to disappear, the leader is confronted with the knowledge that her journey of self-discovery may trigger the end of civilisation as she knows it.

Daniel, an openly gay teen, and his teacher, Adam, who is gay but keeps his sexuality under wraps, rarely encounter one another outside of school. However, when the pair become trapped in a huge cave during a school excursion, they begin to form an unexpected bond.

FEATURES 24
DRAMA COMEDY
FEATURES
IRIS NETWORK

HYPOCHONDRIAC

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Addison Heimann, USA, 2022, 96 mins, U18+

COURTESY: Umbrella Entertainment

SESSIONS:

Thu 17 Nov at 8:15pm, Cinema Nova

Will is a young Hispanic artist with a loving boyfriend and a good life, but when his bipolar mother re-enters his life after a 10-year absence, her presence begins to erode the sturdy foundations on which he’s built his life. Afraid of becoming his mother, and tormented by past traumas, Will spirals into obsession and despair. Can Will confront his own mental illness before it’s too late? CONTENT ADVICE: This film contains scenes of violence and self-harm.

Screens with short film GHOSTED

DIR: Nathan Lacey, Nick Lacey, Australia, 2022, 12 mins

THE BLUE CAFTAN

Arabic with English subtitles

DIR: Maryam Touzani, France, 2022, 96 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Potential Films

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov, at 3:45pm, Cinema Nova

Tue 15 Nov at 6:00pm, ACMI

Halim and Mina run a traditional caftan store in one of Morocco’s oldest medinas. In order to keep up with the demands of their customers, they hire Youssef, who is dedicated to learning the art of embroidery and tailoring from Halim. But is their relationship purely professional?

It doesn’t take long for Mina to realize that her husband is profoundly moved by this young man.

‘A work of handcrafted beauty.’ – Hollywood Reporter

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Sarah Watts, Mark Slutsky, Canada, 2022, 96 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Film Collaborative

SESSIONS:

Wed 16 Nov at 6.15pm, ACMI

Sat 19 Nov at 3:45pm, Village Jam Factory (open captions)

In the early ’90s, Jaime, a gay teen, is sent to live with her relatives, devout Jehovah’s Witnesses, after the death of her father. There, Jaime makes an unexpected connection with Marike, the daughter of a prominent Witness Elder. Instantly drawn to each other, they begin a secret, unspoken romance. But when their attraction becomes too obvious to hide, the community moves to separate the two, forcing the girls to choose between faith and love.

YOU CAN LIVE FOREVER SINGLE OUT

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Lee Galea, Australia, 2022, 100 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Wildstar

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 6.00pm, Cinema Nova

Growing up and coming out are both challenges for Adam, but when the two collide he finds himself torn between following his head or his heart. Season 1 of Single Out, shown in feature-length here, zeroes in on Adam’s attempts to keep it all together.

FEATURES 26
HORROR DRAMA DRAMA COMEDY

CHRISSY JUDY

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Todd Flaherty, USA, 2022, 96 mins, U18+

COURTESY: Film Collaborative

SESSIONS:

Fri 11 Nov at 6:30pm, ACMI (open captions) Session proudly presented by ME Bank

Thu 17 Nov at 7:30pm, Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop

Sat 19 Nov at 4:00pm, Village Jam Factory

Every New York drag queen needs a good Chrissy. So, when Judy’s best friend and drag sister suddenly couples off and moves away, hot-mess Judy must reinvent himself — else risk becoming irrelevant both onstage and off. This devilishly dark comedy asks: what do you do when your chosen family chooses someone else?

27 FEATURES
COMEDY

Spanish with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Marco Berger, Argentina, 2022, 102 mins, U18+ COURTESY: Wildstar Sales

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 6:30pm, ACMI

Fri 18 Nov at 9:00pm, Village Jam Factory

In the middle of the Argentine summer, a group of young men spend a few days lapping up rays and partying. But when subtle acts of violence permeate the group, an illicit love triangle blooms between a homophobe, a gay man and a closeted bisexual. Will lust and the limitlessness of summer push everyone to breaking point?

CONTENT ADVICE: Sexually explicit material.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Juan Felipe Zuleta, USA, 2021, 95 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Film Collaborative

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 6.30pm, Village Jam Factory

Peter is a flamboyant, misanthropic dwarf hiding from the world in his shabby New York City apartment. But an unexpected visit from his unhinged neighbour, Winona, leads to an impromptu road trip. Their destination? The remote Canadian wilderness, where she believes aliens will make contact. On this surreal odyssey, Peter and Winona will encounter bickering lesbian cosplayers, shroom-addled survivalists — and even extra-terrestrial highway cops.

FEATURES 28
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECTS WINNER OF THE AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE – L.A. OUTFEST 2022
HORSEPLAY
DRAMA
DRAMA

MY EMPTINESS AND I

MADE WITH A RARE SENSITIVITY AND COMPASSION, MY EMPTINESS AND I IS A STUDY, AT ONCE MUTED AND LACERATING, OF THE SEARCH FOR VALIDATION OF A YOUNG TRANS WOMAN IN A WORLD WHICH CAN OFFER HER NO READY-MADE IDENTITIES TO CHOOSE FROM.

Spanish and English with English subtitles AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Adrián Silvestre, Spain, 2022, 98 mins, U18+

COURTESY: Film Republic

SESSIONS: Sat 12 Nov at 5:45pm, Cinema Nova Mon 14 Nov at 8:45pm, Village Jam Factory

Raphi fantasizes about romances with princes and starting a traditional family. In reality, she works in a call centre in Barcelona, struggles with embarrassing dates, and is diagnosed with gender dysphoria. We follow Raphi through this confusing period, as she makes her transition, explores her sexuality and embraces her place in this world.

CONTENT ADVICE: Homophobic language and transphobia, dead naming, themes and discussion of trans surgery. Brief English language is not subtitled.

29 FEATURES
– SCREEN DAILY
DRAMA

WHEN MEN WERE MEN

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Aidan Dick & Izzi Rojas, USA, Ireland, 2021, 96 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Circumpunct Pictures

SESSIONS:

Sat 19 Nov at 6.00pm, Cinema Nova

Within the confines of a religiously conservative Ireland, Kieran has had to navigate a burgeoning awareness of his trans identity alone. All this changes, however, when he falls in love with the new neighbour, Egan (Aidan Dick). Like Keiran, Egan doesn’t know he’s trans. As they get closer, Kieran must learn to be more vulnerable, not only with others but with himself.

ALL MY FRIENDS ARE RACIST

DIR: Bjorn Stewart, Australia, 2021, 50 mins MA15+

COURTESY: ABC TV and ABC Indigenous

SESSIONS:

Fri 18 Nov at 6.15pm, ACMI

The hottest BFFs in bustling Brisvages, Casey (Davey Thompson) and Belle (Tuuli Narkle) live a DEADLY life together — that is until they’re cancelled for calling out racism. While Belle is convinced it’s the end of their social life, Casey sees an opportunity: revolution.

FEATURES 30
US AFTER THE SCREENING FOR A PANEL DISCUSSION MODERATED BY BRYAN ANDY CALLED
COMEDY WITH THE
THE SERIES AS THEY DISCUSS THEIR
ON INFLUENCERS,
AND
JOIN
DECOLONIZING AUSTRALIAN
TEAM BEHIND
UNAPOLOGETIC TAKE
CANCEL CULTURE
RACISM.
COMEDY
DRAMA

Inspiring multipurpose spaces for collaboration, celebration, study and work. Find out more on the Pride Centre website pridecentre.org.au/book-a-space

31
Image: The Forum by Luke David

WANDERING HEART

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Leonardo Brzezicki, Argentina, Brazil, Netherlands, 2021, 112 mins, U18+

COURTESY: Ruda Cine

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 8.15pm, Cinema Nova Tue 15 Nov at 8:30pm, ACMI 50-year-old Santiago is an emotionally broken man who seems to have no axis. Completely adrift in his personal life, he lives with Laila, his teenage daughter. What seems to be a chaotic summer between Argentina and Brazil ends up acting as a turning point in their lives and in their relationship. Wandering Heart is the story of a daughter’s emancipation in the light of a man who desperately needs to learn to be loved.

FEATURES 32
Portuguese and Spanish with English subtitles
– CINEUROPA
‘IT’S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO ADORE ARGENTINIAN THESP LEONARDO SBARAGLIA AFTER HE PAINTS SUCH A BELIEVABLE AND HEART-RENDING PORTRAIT OF A MAN ADRIFT, WALLOWING IN A LACK OF AFFECTION’
DRAMA

WET SAND

‘THIS BEAUTIFULLY SHOT AND QUIETLY CONTEMPLATIVE STUDY SHINES A LIGHT ON THE ISSUE OF LGBQT+ RIGHTS IN HER NATIVE EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRY, WITH CHARACTERS AND A SCREENPLAY THAT STRIKE A CHORD’

– THE SUN (UK)

Georgian with English subtitles

DIR: Elene Nareviani, Georgia, Switzerland, 2022, 114 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Maximage

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 6.00pm, ACMI

Upon Eliko’s death, his granddaughter Moe begins organising his funeral. However, in cataloguing his eulogy, she’s confronted with stories about his past relationships, and the hidden truth of his sexuality. Meanwhile, she develops romantic feelings for the local café owner Fleshka. But can their relationship thrive under the burning eyes of the conservative villagers?

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Matt Carter, UK, 2022, 134 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Take a Seat Pictures

SESSIONS:

Fri 11 Nov at 9:00pm, ACMI

Sat 19 Nov at 1:30pm, Village Jam Factory

Following a drunken encounter, two committed men from a cash-strapped gay rugby club sleepwalk into an adulterous encounter. The two must conceal their growing entanglement else risk destroying the club they love.

33
IN
FROM THE SIDE
– ATTITUDE DRAMA
‘GAY RUGBY DRAMA IS A SCRUM OF SEXUAL TENSION AND TOXIC MASCULINITY’
DRAMA

THE FIRST FALLEN

Portuguese with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Rodrigo de Oliveira, Brazil, 2022, 107 mins, U18+

COURTESY: Figa Films

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 9.00pm, Village Jam Factory

At the turn of 1983, in a small Brazilian town, a group of LGBTIQA+ men and women celebrate the New Year — no idea what’s approaching. And yet, biologist Suzano knows that something terrible is happening in his body. Desperate for information, Suzano reaches out to transsexual artist, Rose, and video-maker, Humberto, who are both also ill. Together they’ll try to survive the first wave of the AIDS epidemic.

Spanish with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Mariano Biasin, Argentina, 2022, 100 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Wildstar

SESSIONS:

Thu 17 Nov at 6.00pm, Cinema Nova

Teenager Manuel lives in a small coastal town. He plays bass in a band with his friends, including Felipe, with whom he shares a close bond. While Manuel is dating Azul, he begins to develop feelings for Felipe. Does Felipe feel the same? And with so much desire in the air, can their friendship survive?

Spanish with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Maria Pescio, Argentina, 2022, 69 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Wildstar

SESSIONS:

Sat 19 Nov at 1.15pm, Village Jam Factory

Julia returns to her hometown, which she left years ago after defrauding the community. She stays there to authorise her estranged daughter’s expatriation with her father. But what about the money Julia left behind — will this money solve her problems? And is there a chance

THAT WEEKEND EL HOUB

Exploring cultures of queer invisibility, El Houb follows Karim as he finds that the hardest part of coming out is sometimes confronting your own prejudices. With sly humour, evocative dialogue and a rich colour palette, this film interrogates the fine lines between things said and unsaid in a conservative Moroccan-Dutch family.

CONTENT ADVICE: English language is not subtitled.

FEATURES 34
SUBLIME
DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA

MARS ONE

Portuguese with English subtitles

DIR: Gabriel Martins, Brazil, 2022, 115 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Mag Pictures

SESSIONS: Sat 12 Nov at 3:30pm, Cinema Nova

In Brazil, a lower-middle-class Black family tries to keep their spirits up and their dreams alive in the months that follow the election of Jair Bolsonaro, a President who represents everything they are not. Meanwhile, their oldest daughter falls in love with a free-spirited woman who makes her ponder whether it’s time to leave home.

35 FEATURES
DRAMA
‘A DELIGHTFUL, JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF THE UNBREAKABLE BONDS THAT KEEP US TETHERED THROUGH THE MOST CHALLENGING OF TIMES — BE THEY POLITICAL OR PERSONAL.’
– SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS

JOYLAND

WINNER OF THE QUEER PALM 2022 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL

Urdu with English subtitles

DIR: Saim Sadiq, Pakistan, 2022, 127 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Film Constellation

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 8.45pm, ACMI

Thu 17 Nov at 8:30pm, Cinema Nova

Based on the short Darling (winner of the Best International Short at MQFF 2021) Joyland follows the Ranas, a happily patriarchal joint family, as their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre where he falls for an ambitious trans starlet. Will their impossible love illuminate a family’s desire for sexual rebellion?

German & English with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Clara Stern, Austria, 2022, 102 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Films Boutique

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 6:15pm, Village Jam Factory (open captions)

Tue 15 Nov at 8:45pm, ACMI

Mira, in her early 20s, escapes from the pressure of running her family’s vineyard by playing ice hockey. When new player Theresa joins the team, romantic sparks fly as she challenges Mira’s rigid worldview, leading to life-changing nights on the streets of Vienna.

CONTENT ADVICE: English language is not subtitled

FEATURES 36
BREAKING THE ICE ‘ITS SINGULAR FOCUS IS COMMENDABLE AND SHOWCASES A QUIETLY POWERFUL PERFORMANCE FROM SCHALLER AND ANNOUNCES STERN AS A FILMMAKER TO WATCH.‘ – THE PLAYLIST
DRAMA DRAMA

Filipino and English with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN

PREMIERE

DIR: Samantha Lee, Philippines, 2022, 63 mins, U15+

COURTESY: iWantTFC and Dreamscape

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 8.30pm, ACMI

Tue 15 Nov at 6:15pm, Cinema Nova

This sweet and upbeat female-led love story from director Samantha Lee (Maybe Tomorrow; Bille and Emma) tracks the ‘meet cute’ between Luna, a girl suffering from a rare sleep disorder, and Harry, a DJ who hosts a late-night radio show. Sleep With Me explores queerness, disability and how otherness pushes us to create our own worlds.

Screens with short film DEAFYING GRAVITY

DIR: Sam Martin, Australia, 202, 14 mins

Portuguese with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Fábio Leal, Brazil, 2022, 74 mins, U18+

COURTESY: Figa Films

SESSIONS:

Tue 15 Nov at 8.15pm, Cinema Nova

After spending 10 months in complete isolation having ended a long-distance relationship with Ronaldo, hypochondriac Chico decides to research and practice sexual encounters that follow all the COVID-19 safety protocols.

Screens with short film NELSON

DIR: Sara West, Australia, 2022, 8 mins

ELEPHANT

Polish with English subtitles

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Kamil Krawczycki, Poland, 2022, 94 mins, U15

COURTESY: Tongariro Releasing

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 3.45pm, ACMI

Fri 18 Nov at 6.30pm, Village Jam Factory

Bartek runs a small horse farm in the mountains in Poland, and was forced to become head of the family when his father left, and his mother fell apart. When their neighbour dies and his handsome son Dawid comes back to the village for the funeral, Bartek becomes fascinated by this free-spirited young man. Desire and first love takes hold, compelling Bartek to decide if he’s ready to choose his freedom above family obligations.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Jordan Danger, USA, 2022, 87 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Rated Elle Productions

SESSIONS:

Tue 15 Nov at 6:00pm, Cinema Nova (open captions)

Inspired by the short film Marmalade, and staring a roster of all-stars from RuPaul’s Drag Race, God Save the Queens is a spirited comedy about four drag queens navigating careers and personal struggles, while reluctantly attending a spiritual retreat. Expect star appearances from Alaska Thunderfuck and Laganja Estranja — and even a cameo from Michelle Visage.

37 FEATURES
SLEEP WITH ME FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL
GOD SAVE THE QUEENS
COMEDY
DRAMA
COMEDY
DRAMA

HEARTBEAST

French and Finnish with English subtitles

DIR: Aino Suni, France, Finland, 2022, 102 mins, U18+ COURTESY: Kinology

SESSIONS:

Tue 15 Nov at 8.30pm, Cinema Nova

Fri 18 Nov at 8:45pm, Village Jam Factory

Elina, a 17-year-old aspiring rapper, is forced to leave her home country of Finland and move to the south of France when her mother finds a French boyfriend. Immediately, Elina is drawn to her stepsister Sofia, 18, a charismatic ballet dancer who leads a double life full of sex, drugs and rock & roll. Soon, Elina and Sofia’s friendship turns into a power game with toxic consequences. Heartbeast is a broody and sonic demented joy-ride. CONTENT ADVICE: Themes around revenge porn, suicidal thoughts, drug use.

LONESOME

DIR: Craig Boreham, Australia 2022, 95 mins, U18+ COURTESY: Breathless Films

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 9:00pm, Village Jam Factory

Sat 19 Nov at 9:00pm, ACMI

Casey, a country boy on the run from a small-town scandal, finds himself down and out in Sydney’s big smoke. There he meets Tib, a young city queer, struggling with his own past. Both men find something they’ve been missing, yet neither knows quite how to negotiate it.

CONTENT ADVICE: Contains sexually explicit material.

FEATURES 38
‘AN INTIMATE STUDY OF EMOTIONALLY SCARRED STRANGERS WHO FIND COMMUNION THROUGH THE FLESH THAT OPENS A TENTATIVE WINDOW TO THEIR HEARTS’ – THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
THRILLER DRAMA

BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER (DIRECTOR’S

DIR: Jamie Babbit, USA, 1999, 90 mins, U15+ COURTESY: Multi Com

SESSIONS: Fri 11 Nov at 7.30pm, Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop Session proudly presented by VicScreen

Jamie Babbit’s cult classic, But I’m a Cheerleader, is BACK for a director’s cut. In this macabre comedy, high school cheerleader, Megan (Natasha Lyonne), is forced to attend a conversion therapy camp to “cure” her lesbianism. There, she meets self-assured Graham (Clea DuVall). Will romance and rebellion ensue at True Directions? How long can Megan deny her true feelings? With support acts from RuPaul and Cathy Moriarty, But I’m a Cheerleader is a seminal 90s satire that cannot be missed.

DIR: John Waters, USA, 1972, 102 mins, R18+ COURTESY: Village Roadshow & Warner Bros.

SESSIONS: Fri 18 Nov at 8:45pm, ACMI

50, filthy and aging disgracefully, the notorious cult classic Pink Flamingos is just as criminal as you remember it. You’ll be gagging and gasping as the iconic Divine travels across the outskirts of Maryland in her quest to be crowned “the filthiest person alive” — a challenge that is not only met but surpassed in its jaw-dropping finale. CONTENT ADVICE: Sexually explicit material and animal cruelty.

39 RETROSPECTIVE
CUT) PINK FLAMINGOS 50 TH ANNIVERSARY ‘BRIGHT, COLOURFUL AND VERY FUNNY.’ – SHADOWS ON THE WALL COMEDY COMEDY

MQFF PRESENTS SPOTLIGHT ON BRAZIL

This year MQFF shines a spotlight on Brazilian queer stories – a country facing an epidemic of anti-queer violence that has earned it the ranking of the world’s deadliest place for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people for over a decade.

MQFF explores the creativity and resilience coming out of the Queer Brazilian filmmaking community through this series of feature films, shorts and documentaries –bookended by our Opening Night feature, Private Desert, and Closing Night documentary, UÝRA: The Rising Forest.

The Queer Brazil shorts package showcases exciting and daring works that speak directly (and indirectly) to the current turmoil LGBTIQ+ communities face in Brazil today.

Feature, Mars One, focuses on acts of resistance in a family dynamic during the story of a young queer woman’s

budding romance, set pointedly in the months following the election of Brazil’s current President, Jair Bolsonaro. What this means for the young woman and her family hangs over this bright and gentle film.

The intimate lock-down feature, Follow the Protocol, speaks to the fatal pandemic response Bolsonaro’s government enacted in the early months of COVID – by playfully focusing on the swirling anxiety and paranoia it creates for our gay protagonist.

And the feature film, The First Fallen, takes us back to an earlier time with the HIV/AIDS pandemic as it takes hold in the gay community – the parallels create a stark reminder that the fight continues.

Join us as we explore and celebrate queer Brazilian voices in this year’s MQFF.

UÝRA: THE RISING FOREST THE FIRST FALLEN

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

SESSION: Sun 20 Nov at 7.30pm, ViPC Rooftop

An awe-inspiring documentary that explores the life and work of trans non-binary Indigenous artist, Uýra. Shot in the breathtaking Amazon Rainforest.

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

SESSION: Sun 13 Nov at 9.00pm, Village Jam

Factory

The beginning of the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s when the first wave of the epidemic hit Brazil.

40 SPOTLIGHT ON BRAZIL
PAGE 10
PAGE
34

PRIVATE DESERT QUEER BRAZIL

MELBOURNE PREMIERE

SESSIONS: Thu 10 Nov at 6:00pm, ACMI

A tale in two parts – lovers who’ve not met, separated by miles of desert – a journey of transcendence, of knowing one’s true desires.

PAGE 6

SESSION: Thu 10 Nov at 6:00pm, Village Jam Factory

MQFF’s spotlight showcases the vibrant, urgent and original cinema currently coming out of Brazil’s queer scene.

PAGE 52

FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL MARS ONE

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

SESSION: Tue 15 Nov at 8.15pm, Cinema Nova

After months in isolation, hypochondriac Chico decides to research and practice sexual encounters that follow all the COVID-19 safety protocols.

PAGE 37

SESSION: Sat 12 Nov at 3:30pm, Cinema Nova

In Brazil, a lower-middle-class Black family tries to keep their spirits up and their dreams alive in the months that follow the election of Jair Bolsonaro.

PAGE 35

41 SPOTLIGHT ON BRAZIL

BLACK AS U R

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Micheal Rice, USA, 2020, 84 mins, U15+ COURTESY: No Worries Entertainment SESSION: Sun 13 Nov at 2:00pm, ACMI BLACK AS U R points its lens at Black America, asking: ‘Why do we protest racial injustice, but disregard the injustices experienced by black queer people? After all, we are just as back as you are.’

In this highly incendiary documentary, filmmaker Micheal Rice interweaves contemporary racial politics with an autobiographical look into his own upbringing in the American south. In doing so, he poignantly unearths the queerphobia prevalent in many black communities.

The inaugural recipient of Frameline Festival’s Out in the Silence Award, BLACK AS U R is a must-see film dedicated to LGBTQ+ visibility in spaces so politically charged that queer representation has been disregarded.

CONTENT ADVICE: This film contains descriptions and depictions of queerphobic violence.

DOCUMENTARIES 42
‘A POWERFUL GLIMPSE INTO THE COMPLEXITY OF BEING BLACK & QUEER IN THE BLM ERA’ – THE ADVOCATE
43 DOCUMENTARIES

ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL

MALE

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Bryan Darling, Jesse Finley Reed, USA, 2022, 84 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Film Collaborative

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 4:00pm, ACMI

Narrated by Matt Bomer, All Man: The International Male Story tracks three decades of the catalogue’s unlikely but lasting impact on fashion, masculinity, and sexuality in America. This character-driven documentary crafts a portrait of outsiders who would come to change the way men look — at themselves, at each other, and at the world staring back.

STORY GATEWAYS GRIND

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Jacquie Lawrence, UK 2021, 80 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Jackdaw Media

SESSIONS:

Sat 19 Nov at 6:15pm, ACMI

Walking through the infamous “green door”, Gateways Grind is the first documentary about the most iconic lesbian bar in the world, Gateways Club. Hearing the inside stories from the women who were there (and those who wished they were), the legacy and vibrancy of this seminal lesbian space live on. Lean in close and listen as these ladies spill a few secrets.

French with English subtitles (English language not subtitled)

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Robin Hunzinger, France, 2021, 74 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Sweet Spot Docs

SESSIONS:

Tue 15 Nov at 6:15pm, ACMI

After the death of his grandmother Emma, Robin Hunzinger and his mother Claudie found carefully preserved letters that Emma received from a girl called Marcelle. As this evocative and tender documentary reveals, Marcelle and Emma were lovers in the mid-1920s; just teenagers, however, they were forced to part ways. Years later, after Marcelle was committed to a sanatorium for tuberculosis, she wrote these letters to Emma — letters that speak of their secret, enduring love.

ULTRAVIOLETTE AND THE BLOODSPITTERS GANG NELLY & NADINE

French, English, Swedish, Spanish with English subtitles

DIR: Magnus Gertten, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, 2022, 92 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Rise & Shine

SESSIONS:

Wed 16 Nov at 6:15pm, Cinema Nova

A love story for the ages, this historic documentary uses archival footage to follow the life and love of Nelly and Nadine. Tracing their meeting at a concentration camp in World War Two, it tells the story of two extraordinary women who found love during times of extraordinary hardship.

‘Layered documentary about resilience, queer life in the ‘40s and the surprising ways lesbian passion can inspire a whole new generation.’ - POV Magazine

DOCUMENTARIES 44

VICTORIAN QUEENS

THE ALEXANDER BALL

VICTORIAN QUEENS, DIR: Joseph Gardner, Andrew Cox, Australia, 2022, 45 mins, U15+

THE ALEXANDER BALL, DIR: Jessica Margo, Australia, 2022, 30 mins, U15+

SESSIONS:

Mon 14 Nov at 6.00pm, ACMI (open captions)

Fri 18 Nov at 7:30pm, Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop (open captions)

These two wonderful Australian shorts showcase the way the queer community embraces diversity, creating inclusive spaces for all.

Victorian Queens takes a deep dive into the weird, wonderful and utterly unique landscape of Melbourne’s drag community. It features Lady Diamond, Aysha Buffet, Zodiac and Art Simone.

The Alexander Ball is a celebration of Samoan-MaoriAustralian trans woman of colour, Ella Ganza, and the Meanjin ballroom scene, as she and her ballroom family prepare for one of the biggest pride events of the year.

45 DOCUMENTARIES
+

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Bruce Ashley, Michael Donald, UK, 2021, 89 mins, U15+

SESSIONS:

Fri 11 Nov at 8:45pm, Cinema Nova Wed 16 Nov at 7:30pm, Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop Session proudly sponsored by Thorne Harbour Health

Blitzed! traces the evolution of the eponymous London nightclub through the eyes of club regulars, Boy George, Princess Julia, Spandau Ballet and more. While the interviewees recall the joy, the community and the legacy of the scene, they also acknowledge the rivalry. In Blitzed! you’re invited to savour the clothes, the cattiness and the chaos.

A reflection on a short-lived scene with long-lasting impact.

DOCUMENTARIES 46
BLITZED! ‘A LIVELY, FASCINATING, AND SATISFYINGLY THOROUGH EXPLORATION OF THE EMERGENCE AND LEGACY OF THE ICONIC CLUB NIGHT-TUESDAYS AT LONDON’S BLITZ CLUB’ – THE QUEER REVIEW
Photo: Sheila Rock

HIV STILL MATTERS

47
Watch Andy’s story
If I hadn’t had that sense of love and acceptance at that moment - I don’t know if I’d be here today. “ “

Arabic and English with English subtitles

MELBOURNE PREMIERE

DIR: Rita Baghdadi, United States, Lebanon 2022, 78 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Autolook

SESSIONS:

Fri 11 Nov at 9.15pm, ACMI

Mon 14 Nov at 6:15pm, Village Jam Factory

By day Lilas is a music teacher, but by night she thrives in her thrash metal band. But when tensions boil and friendships in the band fracture, her city of Beirut ignites. With her dreams at stake, Lila must define herself as a musician, leader and woman. CONTENT ADVICE: English language is subtitled but musical performances are not subtitled

PAT ROCCO DARED

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Morris Chapdelaine, Bob Christie, 2021, 89 mins, U18+

COURTESY: Border 2 Border

SESSIONS: Wed 16 Nov at 6.00pm, Cinema Nova

Following 1970’s erotic filmmaker Pat Rocco, this documentary re-discovers, celebrates and unpacks the mythology surrounding his life. Coming out as a gay man in 1951, Pat was a trailblazing activist and artist who dared to put the first same-sex kiss on the big screen.

‘An entertaining, informative, and ultimately surprisingly touching portrait of a filmmaker who truly broke down barriers through his work’ - The Joy of Movies

ESTHER

SIRENS FRAMING AGNES

AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE

DIR: Jean Carlomusto, USA, 2022, 92 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Film Collaborative

SESSIONS:

Mon 14 Nov at 6:15pm, ACMI

This documentary traces the life and times of renowned cultural anthropologist Esther Newton. Throughout her career, Esther was a pioneer who challenged the status quo around gender, sexuality and anthropological methods. Her work inspired generations of scholars to pursue research in what would eventually become the field of LGBTQ & Gender Studies.

DIR: Chase Joynt, Canada, USA, 2021, 75 mins, U15+

COURTESY: Film Collaborative

SESSIONS:

Thu 17 Nov at 6:15pm, Cinema Nova (open captions)

A blend of fiction and non-fiction, Framing Agnes brings to life the ground-breaking artifacts of trans health care. Reimagining the cultural memory of transness, this film is an excavation into the life and legacy of Agnes and her stride towards seeking gender-affirming surgery in the 1950s.

Screens with the short film FEARLESS JAZMIN THEODORA

DIR: Nicole Sullivan, Australia, 2022, 4 mins

DOCUMENTARIES 48
NEWTON MADE ME GAY
49

LAUGH OUT PROUD!

91 mins, U15+

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 9:00pm, ACMI

Sat 19 Nov at 7:30pm, Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop

Join us for MQFF32’s greatest hits of queer comedy! These seven side-splitting shorts will have you gasping between giggles, clutching your popcorn as they dig into topics that are a little naughty. Take our word for it, this is a riotous (and raunchy) trip to the funny side of queer life.

STORIES FROM THE ASIA PACIFIC

92 mins, U15+

SESSIONS:

Sun 20 Nov at 4.45pm, ACMI

Showcasing queer stories from the Asia Pacific, this collection of short films includes work from India, Pakistan, South Korea and Indonesia. Please help us celebrate the longstanding partnerships MQFF has nurtured with queer film festivals around the region.

50 SHORTS

TRANS-AUSTRALIANA

JOIN US AFTER THE SCREENING FOR THE LAUNCH OF THE DREAMLIFE ZINE! A PUBLICATION MADE TO ACCOMPANY THE DREAMLIFE OF GEORGIE STONE. THE EVENT WILL FEATURE A SPECIAL TRANS AND GENDERDIVERSE YOUTH-LED PANEL. DISCUSSION MODERATED BY ZINE EDITOR AUD MASONHYDE, WHO WILL BE JOINED BY ACTRESS AND CREATIVE PRODUCER GEORGIE STONE, AS WELL AS THE FILM TEAMS FEATURED IN THIS SHORTS PACKAGE.

71 mins, Australia

SESSIONS: 12 Nov at 3:30pm, ACMI (open captions)

SENSORY FRIENDLY SCREENING – enjoy this screening in a safe and accepting environment with the cinema lights turned up, and the sound turned down low.

These three Australian documentary shorts, Who I Am (Naomi Ball), The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone (Maya Newell) and The Accidental Archivist (Tracey Spring), bring into focus the lives of three very different trans and non-binary protagonists. What they all share, however, is the innate compassion that the film experience can bring in documenting extraordinary/ordinary lives.

SHORTS 51

QUEER BRAZIL

84 mins, U18+

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 8.45pm, Village Jam Factory MQFF’s spotlight showcases the vibrant, urgent and original cinema currently coming out of Brazil’s queer scene. Features include, A Wild Patience Has Taken Me Here (Érica Saremt), The Gift (Daniel Weirman), Dead Model, Life Model (Luri Bermudes, Leona Jhovs) and Victor’s Body (Victor Di Marco, Márcio Picoli).

CONTENT ADVICE: Sexually explicit material.

HOOKING UP

106 mins, U18+

SESSIONS:

Sat 12 Nov at 8.45pm, ACMI

Mon 14 Nov at 6:30pm, Village Jam Factory Fleeting gay connections, unforgettable bonds and the push-pull of lust, these seven Australian and international short films showcase the windy roads that our desires can take us.

CONTENT ADVICE: Sexually explicit material.

52 SHORTS

THE QUEER LIFE: DOCOS

102 mins, U15+

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 6.30pm, ACMI

From New York to China, these 2022 documentary short films explore the vibrancy and heart that beats within the Queer experience. Tracking the real lives of fully fledged queers, these shorts call for the acceptance and celebration of our diverse international community.

YOUNG & QUEER

101 mins, U15+

SESSIONS:

Sat 13 Nov at 4.15pm, ACMI Session proudly presented by VicScreen

Finding something that fits you perfectly, body and soul, for the first time; the intimacy of inhabiting a private world with the person who understands you best. Young & Queer is dedicated to short films by the next generation of queer storytellers.

SHORTS 53

GAY-AS-F!

107 mins, U15+

SESSIONS:

Sun 13 Nov at 7.30pm, Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop Fri 18 Nov at 9:00pm, ACMI

A showcase of award-winning local and international gay shorts, these 8 films will transport you to unexpected and surprising places. Your heart aflutter — you’ll be left gagging for more!

GRRRLS!

93 mins, U18+

SESSIONS:

Wed 16 Nov at 8.30pm, Cinema Nova Sat 19 Nov at 8:45pm, ACMI

Fleeting love, unbridled lust, U-Haul relationships, utopian sex and the first blush of desire. These 8 lesbian shorts will leave you swooning and lamenting for that one that got away.

54 SHORTS

Give the world context

Give the world context

Give the world context

Subscribe to The Monthly, Australia’s only monthly magazine dedicated to politics, culture and current affairs. scan for more

Subscribe to The Monthly, Australia’s only monthly magazine dedicated to politics, culture and current affairs. scan for more

Subscribe to The Monthly, Australia’s only monthly magazine dedicated to politics, culture and current affairs. scan for more

55

GENDER EUPHORIA

96 mins, U15+

SESSIONS: Fri 11 Nov at 9.00pm, Cinema Nova

Between genres, across spaces, and beyond the limitations of linear time, traverse the rich spectrum of gender and filmic art. The only thing these films have in common is the joy that emanates from them — so palpable you will feel it as a physical presence.

56 SHORTS

FREAK

104 mins, U15+

SESSIONS: Sat 19 Nov at 8.30pm, Cinema Nova

Just as horrifying as they are Queer, the 2022 Freak Out! shorts are sure to make you scream and gag. Between serial killers, gay ghosts and terrifying homophobes, enjoy the thrills and horrors of all things bone-chilling.

87 mins, U15+

SESSIONS: Sat 12 Nov at 8.00pm, Cinema Nova Sun 20 Nov at 5:00pm, ACMI

SHORTS 57
This fierce, funny and romantic collection of 6 international shorts is a must-see slice of Lesbian life — a beautiful celebration of women both in front of and behind the camera. ALL ABOUT LESBIANS
– OUR WEIRD, QUEER AND OUT-
IS BACK WITH A SERIES OF FEATURES AND SHORTS EXPANDING AND REDEFYING WHAT QUEER
AND
IS. INCLUDED IN THE
THE
AND
OUT! FREAK OUT!
THERE SHOWCASE
HORROR
GENRE CINEMA
SHOWCASE IS
AUSTRALIAN PREMIERE OF HYPOCHONDRIAC (PAGE 26)
HEARTBEAST (PAGE 36)

FLIPPING THE CHANNELS

FLIPPING THE CHANNELS: BISEXUAL REPRESENTATION IN TV FROM THE 70s TO 90s

Lee Gambin, Australia, 120 mins, U15+

SESSIONS: Wed 16 Nov at 6:00pm, ACMI

Exploring early examples of bisexual representation in seldom discussed works such as Love, Sidney to the groundbreaking episode of Taxi entitled “Elaine’s Strange Triangle”, this presentation will detail the efforts of writers, producers and filmic creatives in bringing bisexual visibility to the small screen. With a focus on the heyday of landmark television, the discussion will look at male sex work in cult classics like Alexander: The Other Side of Dawn; heterosexual women being bi-curious in shows such as L.A. Law and Roseanne; the treatment of iconic queer characters like Jodie Dallas from Soap and Steven Carrington from Dynasty; to how AIDS paranoia penetrated the bisexual lens with controversial entries such as the episode “After It Happened” from Midnight Caller. Featuring many clips and stills, this will be an enlightening look at on-screen representation of bisexuality.

ALL MY FRIENDS ARE RACIST TRANS-AUSTRALIANA

DIR: Bjorn Stewart, Australia, 2021, 50 mins MA15+

COURTESY: ABC TV and ABC Indigenous

SESSIONS:

Fri 18 Nov at 6.15pm, ACMI

Join us after the screening for a panel discussion moderated by Bryan Andy called Decolonizing Australian Comedy with the team behind the series as they discuss their unapologetic take on influencers, cancel culture and racism.

71 mins, Australia

SESSIONS: at 12 Nov at 3:30pm, ACMI

Join us after the screening for the launch of The Dreamlife Zine! A publication made to accompany The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone. The event will feature a special trans and gender-diverse youth-led panel. Discussion moderated by zine editor Aud Mason-Hyde, who will be joined by actress and creative producer Georgie Stone, as well as the film teams behind Who I Am and The Accidental Archivist.

58 PROGRAMS & PANELS

THANK YOU

MANAGEMENT

Chief Executive Officer

David Martin Harris

Program Director

Spiro Economopoulos

Finance Manager

Jack Martin

Marketing and Fundraising Manager

Nathan Boadle

Festival Producer

Steven Trosti

Board of Directors

Gail Veal (Co-President)

David Micallef (Co-President) David Morgan (Secretary)

Mark Kukanesan (Treasurer)

Alan White

Jasmine Fiegehen

Marco Angele

PROGRAM GUIDE

Editor

Timothy Loveday

Program Notes

Jessica Seychell

Maddox Gifford

Spiro Economopoulos

Programming interns

Jessica Seychell

Maddox Gifford

Abdurahman Katamish

MQFF Trailer

Lucy Davidson

AUDIENCES,

SPONSORS, MEMBERS, DONORS,

LIFE MEMBERS

Our life members have devoted countless hours to ensure the longevity and success of MQFF over the Festival’s colourful history. They are a much-loved and valued part of our community.

Rowland Thomson, Crusader Hillis, Madeleine Swain, Suzie Goodman, miss jan horstman, David McCarthy, Richard Watts, Suzy Green, Rowena Doo, Luke Gallagher, Alex Green, Paul Tonta, Leanne Sumpter, Colin Billing, Claire Jackson, Lisa Daniel, Paul Clifton, Roberta Armitage, Jason Ngam, Cathy Anderson and Scott Herron.

FESTIVAL SWEETHEARTS

MQFF Sweethearts directly support the Festival’s operations and programming, and by doing so help maintain our reputation for excellence in LGBTIQ+ film presentation. The Festival warmly acknowledges our Sweethearts.

GOLD

Em Campbell-Pretty Adrienne Wilson

SILVER

Matthew Lee

DIAMOND

Richard Laslett & Colin Gunther

Samuel T Murray

EMERALD

Serena Chow

Iain McKinnon & Benedict Laufer

Mark Matthews Niri Naidoo

Gail Veal

Kristen Walker

RUBY

Wayne Box

David Cheshire

Ross Coller

Rodney Garratt

James Houghton

David Imber

Stephen Masterman

Gin Masters

Jason Ngam

Deborah Storz

Leonard Vary & Matt Collins KC Jane Weston

SAPPHIRE

Lee Centra & Ben Ladbrook

Sabin Fernbacher

Stephen Jovanovich

Yvette Karklins

Shaun Kiely

David Martin Harris

Cindy Mason

David Micallef

Fiona Patten

Kristen Stone

Boyd Tolley

Helen Walmsley

Lan Wang

Frazer Wilson

MQFF is a registered not-for-profit organisation and all donations above $2 are tax deductible. Head to mqff.com.au/donate to make a donation today

THANK YOU 59
PLEASE
SUPPORT MQFF
WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO SHARE THE BEST OF LGBTIQ+ CINEMA WITH OUR
AND VISITORS, WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF OUR
AND THE PASSIONATE CONTRIBUTION OF OUR VOLUNTEERS WHO GENEROUSLY GIVE THEIR TIME EACH YEAR.
TAKE A BOW!
60 MQFF SPONSORS GOVERNMENT PARTNERS MAJOR PARTNERS SUPPORTING PARTNERS VENUE PARTNERS FESTIVAL FRIENDS MEDIA PARTNERS HOSPITALITY PARTNERS Offical Legal Partner Offical Airline Partner MQFF SPONSORS

FILM INDEX

FEATURES

8 YEARS

ALL MAN: THE INTERNATIONAL MALE STORY ALL MY FRIENDS ARE RACIST BESTIES BLACK AS U R BLITZED! BLUE CAFTAN, THE BREAKING THE ICE BROS BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER (DIRECTOR’S CUT) CHRISSY JUDY COP SECRET EISMAYER ELEPHANT EL HOUB ESTHER NEWTON MADE ME GAY FIRST FALLEN, THE FOLLOW THE PROTOCOL FRAMING AGNES GATEWAYS GRIND GIRL PICTURE GOD SAVE THE QUEENS HEARTBEAST HORSEPLAY HYPOCHONDRIAC IN FROM THE SIDE JOYLAND LONESOME LONGEST WEEKEND, THE MARS ONE MAYBE SOMEDAY

21 44 30 21 42 46 26 36 24 39 27 22 21 37 34 48 34 37 48 44 20 37 38 28 26 33 36 38 8 35 24

MINI-ZLATAN AND UNCLE DARLING MY EMPTINESS AND I NELLY & NADINE PAT ROCCO DARED PINK FLAMINGOS PRIVATE DESERT SIRENS SINGLE OUT SLEEP WITH ME SO DAMN EASY GOING SUBLIME THAT WEEKEND ULTRAVIOLETTE & THE BLOOD-SPITTERS GANG UÝRA: THE RISING FOREST VICTORIAN QUEENS + THE ALEXANDER BALL YOUTOPIA YOU CAN LIVE FOREVER WHEN MEN WHERE MEN SHORTS ALL ABOUT LESBIANS FREAK OUT! GAY-AS-F! GENDER EUPHORIA GRRRLS! HOOKING UP LAUGH OUT PROUD! QUEER BRAZIL QUEER LIFE: DOCOS, THE STORIES FROM THE ASIA PACIFIC TRANS-AUSTRALIANA YOUNG & QUEER

18 29 44 48 39 6 48 26 37 21 34 34 44 10 45 24 26 30 57 57 54 56 54 52 50 52 53 50 51 53

FILM INDEX
MQFF.COM.AU 149 FILMS 35 AUSTRALIAN PREMIERES 103 PROGRAMS ACROSS THE CITY 100% QUEER #MQFF32
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