The COVID-safe Brisbane International Film Festival programme is here, featuring more than 70 features, documentaries, short films and special events.
Presented by Australian Cinematheque at the Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and city-wide cinema partners, the event launches with the Australian premiere of Stephen Maxwell Johnson's 'High Ground', and closes with the world premiere of Wayne Blair and Nel Minchin's 'Firestarter: The Story Of Bangarra'.
"While many film festivals have only been able to offer digital programs in 2020, I’m delighted BIFF will deliver a traditional, in-cinema experience, while continuing to observe all measures to keep staff and patrons safe," Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says.
"It’s because we’re continuing to manage the COVID-19 health response, that we’re able to deliver Queensland’s economic recovery plan which means being able to hold events like this again in a safe and measured way."
Festival highlights include the Australian premieres of Edson Oda's 'Nine Days' and Sion Sono's 'Red Post On Escher Street', as well as Catherine Dwyer's 'Brazen Hussies'.
There are, of course, films from overseas.
"We are thrilled to have international features such as Zoé Wittock’s stylish debut feature 'Jumbo', a tale of a young woman who becomes romantically enchanted with a fairground ride," Artistic Director of BIFF 2020 and Curatorial Manager of the Australian Cinémathèque, QAGOMA Amanda Slack-Smith says.
"And mesmerising documentaries including 'Max Richter’s Sleep', Natalie John’s behind-the-scenes look at the composer's ambitious eight-hour performance for a sleeping audience and 'P.S. Burn This Letter Please', Michael Seligman and Jennifer Tiexiera’s revelatory exploration of the hidden history of the 1950s drag scene in New York.
The full programme can be viewed here.
