In 2022, Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) celebrates 28 years.
The eagerly awaited programme and festival hub will light up screens over 11 days in October and November.
Throughout the offering is a number of award-winning films, anticipated releases from acclaimed directors, home-grown content, heartfelt stories and films from emerging voices.
Venues participating this year are Brisbane Powerhouse, QAGOMA Australian Cinémathèque, New Farm Six Cinemas, The Elizabeth Picture Theatre, Dendy Coorparoo, Dendy Portside and Reading Newmarket.
Brisbane Powerhouse acts as the 2022 Festival Hub as it hosts Opening Night and key galas with ‘Seriously Red’, ‘A League Of Her Own’ and RIDE Shorts.
‘Seriously Red’ from Grace Otto is a romantic comedy about taking chances, following your dreams, and channeling your inner Dollly Parton. It stars Krew Boylan, Daniel Webber, Celeste Barber, Thomas Campbell, Todd Lasance, Jean Kittson, Bobby Cannavale and Rose Byrne.
Then, direct from Melbourne International Film Festival and Toronto is the Queensland Premiere of Australian feature ‘Sweet As’ and the Closing Night Red Carpet Gala. It’s the first Western Australian feature film written and directed by an Indigenous female - Jub Clerc - and is described as ‘The Breakfast Club’ meets the Outback.
‘A League Of Her Own’ will allow guests to walk the Maroon Carpet. It’s an inspiring, insightful doco following the Queensland Maroons Women’s Rugby League Team, chronicling their journey into the 2021 Women’s State Of Origin. It’s produced by WildBear Entertainment and Veronica Fury.
'A League Of Her Own'
BIFF will also present the RIDE Shorts Gala featuring five inspiring and inventive short films, created via Screen Queensland’s RIDE (Respect, Inclusivity, Diversity and Equality) Shorts Initiative. The films are ‘Tar’, ‘The Banshees Of Inisherin’, ‘Triangle Of Sadness’, ‘She Said’, and ‘Armageddon Time’.
In a nod to the roots of BIFF and its first ever event back in 1992, Baz Luhrmann’s completely restored ‘Strictly Ballroom’ will be screened, presented by the National Film and Sound Archive’s digital restoration programme NFSA Restores – reviving our cinema icons.
Placing a spotlight on Queensland, BIFF will host the Australian Premiere of ‘BLACKSITE’ starring Michelle Monaghan, Jason Clarke and Jai Courtney, filmed on the Gold Coast. Plus, the World Premiere of ‘Beyond The Reef’ which takes viewers on a journey to one of the most beautiful places in the world, Far North Queensland.
There’s also the World Premiere of ‘To Never Forget’, part of a groundbreaking film package innovatively exploring the Latvian Holocaust from Queensland filmmaker Peter Hegedus, and direct from premiering at Venice, the immersive 360 VR Experience – ‘Sorella’s Story’ also screens.
'The Banshees Of Inisherin'
A selection of films spotlighting one of the great unsung stars of Hong Kong cinema will be highlighted by The Australian Cinematheque with the ‘Flying fists of Joyce Godenzi’ retrospective strand alongside a screening and live music celebration of the 90th anniversary of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s ‘Vampyr’.
“There is a smorgasbord of film presented in the strands across the festival, each film ready to delight, entertain, enrage, or engage,” BIFF Program Manager Sasha Close says.
“I warmly invite audiences to explore the programme, the majority of films have premiere status and will be screening for the first time in Queensland.” Sasha adds.
“So, make a date, book your tickets with friends, family or fellow cinephiles. A celebration of film and screen content awaits you and rolls out at Brisbane cinemas and venues from 27 October for eleven glorious days.”
Brisbane International Film Festival is on from 27 October-6 November.
