Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) will hit 2023 with a line-up featuring the Australian premiere of Taika Waititi’s ‘Next Goal Wins’, on Closing Night, starring Michael Fassbender.
The programme is brimming with Queensland premieres of new films from acclaimed filmmakers, including Yargos Lanthimos ‘Poor Things’ starring Emma Stone, the highly anticipated ‘May December’ from Todd Haynes with Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, the Palme d’Or-winning Justine Triet film ‘Anatomy Of A Fall’ and Kitty Green’s dramatic thriller ‘The Royal Hotel’.
“Our film festival brings a diverse perspective from filmmakers all around the world, and we are proud to be able to showcase these voices and their stories,” BIFF CEO Luke Wheatley says.
“This programme is ambitious and has a strong vision of stories that will make you think and perhaps look at the world in a different way. These are films from emerging and established filmmakers at their best and I cannot wait to sit in the cinema and share these.”
In 2023, BIFF delivers two World Premieres, two Australian Premieres, 38 Queensland Premieres and 18 short films along with two Industry Days.
The 2023 BIFF program showcases a diverse array of extraordinary and exciting films from Australia and across the globe,” BIFF Head Of Programming Sasha Close says.
“Bookended by two remarkable, heartwarming films that recently debuted at the Toronto film festival, the full programme has something for everyone with delightful comedies, captivating documentaries, and dramatic thrillers, along with a dedicated programme day on the first weekend showcasing incredible Brisbane talent and a special selection for the young and young heart.”
Brisbane cinema lovers will have plenty to choose from.
The Special Presentation Strand features films like ‘Monster’ from acclaimed director Kore-eda Hirokazu and ‘The Royal Hotel’ from Kitty Green. . . Australian Highlights such as ‘Bring Him To Me’ from director Luke Sparke and ‘The Rooster’ starring Hugo Weaving and directed by Mark Leonard Winter.
Then there’s International Highlights, for example the award-winning documentary ‘Beyond Utopia’. . . The stylish and smart futuristic animation of ‘Mars Express’. . . And Cannes Award-winner ‘Tiger Stripes’.
The New Wave strand includes pieces like Madeleine Dyer’s ‘A Savage Christmas’ and queer coming-of-age story ‘Sunflower’ from Gabriel Carruba.
The weird emerges in the WTF strand, featuring chilling, strange films like ‘You’ll Never Find Me’ which premiered at Tribeca and modern-day Frankenstein story ‘birth/rebirth’.
Remastered classics such as ‘Contempt’ (1963) and ‘Rabbit-Proof Fence’ hit the big screen too.
Lastly, there’s really something for everyone as BIFF presents two family cinema masterpieces in ‘Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back’ and ‘Robot Dreams’.
“The Brisbane International Film Festival is a highlight of the state’s screen culture calendar, where audiences come together to share and experience the best work of local filmmakers alongside a diverse selection of national and international cinema,” Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney says.
“Screen Queensland recognises festivals are vital to engaging audiences and we’re especially proud that this year’s programme includes Queensland premieres of four locally made films including ‘A Savage Christmas’ and the World Premiere of ‘Combat Wombat: Back 2 Back’, as well as a series of insightful industry events to bring screen practitioners and audiences together.”
Brisbane International Film Festival takes place from 26 October-5 November.
