MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES FULL PROGAM OF DIVERSE FILMS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

From cheeky laugh-out-loud comedies, to insightful, honest takes on LGBTIQ life and culture, Queer Screen is proud to announce a diverse, quirky and exciting program for the 21st Mardi Gras Film Festival, this February in Sydney.

With ten teaser films announced at the end of last year, today sees the festival’s complete program revealed, with an eclectic selection of classic and contemporary LGBTIQ films from Australia and around the world set to be screened from Thursday, February 13th to Sunday, February 23rd at Event Cinemas George Street.

One of the most respected Queer Film Festivals internationally, and now in its 21st year, the 2014 program features no less than five world premieres, with 19 films also making their Australian premiere.

Mardi Gras Film Festival Director, Paul Struthers, says, “Amongst our program we’re thrilled to have five world premieres at the festival, all of which are from homegrown talent. It’s a special year for the local industry, as well, with Muriel’s Wedding and Pricilla: Queen of the Desert both released 20 years ago this year. We’re proud to be screening both films and celebrating their amazing success both locally and internationally.”

Struthers also flagged some of his must-see additions to the program, saying, “The entire program is full of incredible pieces of queer filmmaking, celebrating works from around the world, but there’s also a few that are sure to thrill. C.O.G. for instance, is a dark comedy and laugh-out-loud funny, especially for anyone who’s a fan of David Sedaris’ books.”

“Born This Way has such truth and honesty to it… making you realise how lucky we are to be gay in Sydney. Don’t be put off by the cheeky title for Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf; it’s one of the funniest lesbian comedies of the last decade! Then there’s Free Fall, which has been called Germany’s Brokeback Mountain. It’s just a hot and sexy film. There is something at the festival for everyone!” says Struthers

In addition to the films highlighted by Struthers, world premieres include Out in the Line-Up, a groundbreaking documentary that shines a torch on the taboo of being a gay in the surf world. Another Australian documentary receiving its world premiere at the festival is Vicky: The Gay Gene Comes To Australia, from Sydney filmmaker Sasha Hadden, about Vicky Gene Robinson, the world’s first openly gay bishop. 

Another true – and quintessentially Sydney focused film will be told in the world premiere of Croc A Dyke Dundee, The Legend of Dawn O’Donnell, which tells the story of Dawn O’Donnell, a convent girl turned ice-skater who became the godmother of Sydney’s Rainbow Mile, Oxford Street – the home of the Mardi Gras Parade. A lot of the truth behind Dawn’s legacy has become nothing more than legend. The film explores her incredible history in the Sydney community and will screen as the festival’s closing night premiere.

Also focusing on Sydney will be Zoe.Misplaced, another world premiere helmed by the incredibly talented Mekelle Mills, which is one of the first Australian films in years to feature a lesbian protagonist Zoe, played by the impressive Hannah Raven Smith and filmed in and around Newtown. In one of the many premiere events at the festival, the film’s cast and crew will participate in a Q&A after the screening. The already announced world premiere of Friends of Dorothy, meanwhile, sees prolific photographer William Yang share his personal tales, traversing the history of queer Sydney.

The 2014 program features one of the most fabulously diverse schedules in the festival’s 21 year history, covering a wide range of LGBTIQ issues. Out in the Line-Up, The Battle of the Sexes and The Rugby Player all explore gays in sports, while the hot topic of religion takes focus in Vicky – The Gay Gene Comes to Australia.  Bullying takes a heartbreaking turn in Valentine Road, a documentary about Larry King, a 15 year old boy who was killed by another boy at school for giving him a Valentine’s Day card. Larry’s murder made international headlines and brought issues of gender expression and sexual identity of teenagers to the global spotlight.

Films direct from this year’s Berlin Film Festival include 52 Tuesdays, Quick Change and Test, with 52 Tuesdays also playing at The Sundance Film Festival this month.

2014 will also be the first time that a kids film will be screened as part of the festival, with Disney classic Beauty and The Beast, presented by Rainbow Kids and babies.

There will be four short film categories as part of the festival. Mixed Shorts will see critically acclaimed queer short films from around the world, including the debut of Jude Law’s son Rudy Law, produced by mother Sadie Frost. Gay Shorts sees director Travis Mathews screen In their Room: London. Mathew’s previous films have been refused classification in Australia, so this is a rare chance to see the work of the acclaimed filmmaker domestically.

A retrospective best of Bear Men of Adelaide’s Golden Woofs will feature 15 finalists from the last five years and a titillating afternoon of bears of the big screen. My Queer Career, Australia’s richest prize for queer short films, will also return in 2014 with a fantastic lineup of films from around the country. The winner will take home $10,000 worth of prizes, with best film recipient being granted entry into the world’s biggest queer short film competition, The Iris Prize, in Cardiff, Wales.

The 21st anniversary of the Festival will be accompanied at Event Cinemas by a pop up festival bar, which will serve up drinks and entertainment from Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14th, and continue from 6pm for 10 nights. More than just a bar, the crème of Sydney’s Queer scene will entertain, including DJs Kitty Glitter, Sveta, Colin Gaff and Mark Alsop, alongside free talks, parties and events in partnership with community groups.

Presented by Queer Screen, the Mardi Gras Film Festival is Australia’s leading selection of LGBTIQ films, offering audiences a carefully curated program of queer-tinged features, documentaries, short films and retrospectives over eleven days and nights.

2014 will also mark a new partnership between Mardi Gras Film Festival and the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board. LA Tourism is proud to be a major sponsor of the Queer Screen 2014 festival and welcomes Australian LGBT travelers to discover Los Angeles as one of the world’s leading LGBT travel destinations as well as being the home of ‘Outfest’ the world’s longest running Queer film festival held annually in July.

Tickets for the Mardi Gras Film Festival teaser films can be purchased at www.queerscreen.org.au

               

ABOUT MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL

The Mardi Gras Film Festival has grown considerably since 1993. It is now one of Australia’s largest film festivals of any kind, and one of the top queer film festivals in the world. It is highly regarded by filmmakers all over the world, and is the most important avenue for promoting gay and lesbian titles to distributors and exhibitors in this territory.

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILMS

C.O.G. (USA)

Directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez

C.O.G is the first-ever screen adaptation of the work of acclaimed writer David Sedaris (Me Talk Pretty One Day), based on a story that appears in Sedaris’s collection Naked. Jonathan Groff (Glee and HBO'S Looking) stars as David, a young man just graduated from Yale, who decides to work on a farm one summer in the Northwest, to get to know the real people of the USA. When his friend Jennifer (Troian Bellisario, Pretty Little Liars) decides not to join him on the farm, David is left to face the harsh reality of farm life solo and enter into an array of circumstances that will take him to new - and hilariously uncomfortable - places. From working through the night at a miserable factory, to saying no to a male a co-worker’s odd and scary advances, these and other weird situations question his beliefs about himself and give him a tough education in the ways of the world. C.O.G. received the grand jury prize for best new American cinema at the Seattle International Film, and is a film you should not miss!

Duel (Slovenia-Denmark-Croatia)

Directed by Nejc Gazvoda

An airplane technical problem forces a plane from Denmark heading to Greece land at a Slovene airport. All passengers are being taken to a hotel in Ljubljana. Among then, Iben, a quiet young Danish girl. She meets Tina, who drives a shuttle as a summer job. Iben asks Tina to take her for a midnight drive around the town and they grow closer, realising they are at different stages in their lives: one is hiding a big secret and the other is simply trying to find her place in the world.  Following the international success of his debut A Trip, Slovenian director Nejc Gazvoda has come out with a tender, perceptively written story that capitalises on a summer-in-the-city atmosphere and examines the emotions of today’s young generation.

Free Fall (Germany)

Directed by Stephan Lacant

A promising career with the police, a beautiful girlfriend and a baby on the way - Marc's life seems to be right on track but while attending a work training camp he meets the handsome and seductive Kay. Marc begins to develop intense and never before felt feelings for him and a relationship commences. He is soon living a tumultuous double life and is torn between his stable life with pregnant girlfriend and his new relationship with Kay. Marc’s world spins out of control as his feelings continue to grow as do the suspicions of his girlfriend and conservative colleagues. Suddenly, his life is in free fall and Marc realises that try as he might, he can't make everyone happy. Least of all himself. This not to be missed drama by Stephen Lacant is gripping and erotic thanks to the on-screen chemistry between its two leads (Hanno Koffler & Max Riemelt) and Lacant’s skillful direction. Critics are calling the film a German Brokeback Mountain. Free Fall was the Opening Night film at Berlin International Film Festival (German Perspective program) and winner of Best Feature at the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 2013.

Geography Club (USA)

Directed by Gary Entin

At Goodkind High School, a group of students of varying sexual orientations form an after-school club as a discreet way to share their feelings and experiences. Handsome 16-year-old football player Russell is gay but still going on dates with girls, while having a secret relationship with football quarterback Kevin, who will do anything to prevent his teammates from finding out his secret. Min and Terese tell everyone that they're just really good friends. And then there's Ike who can't figure out who he is or who he wants to be. Finding the truth too hard to hide, they all decide to form the Geography Club, thinking nobody else in their right mind would ever want to join. However, their secrets may soon be discovered and they have to face the choice of revealing who they really are. Based on Brent Hartinger's best-selling critically acclaimed novel, Geography Club is a smart and funny account of contemporary teenagers as they discover their own sexual identities, dreams, and values. An entertaining film for the young and the young-at-heart that shows just how far things have come in high schools. A Rainbow Kids event.

Gerontophillia (Canada)

Directed by Bruce LaBruce

Harold and Maude takes on a decidedly queer kink in this transgressively touching story of the sexual relationship that builds between a young nursing home attendant and a confined elderly man. Canadian bad boy and queer director dynamo, Bruce LaBruce (Otto, L.A. Zombies) breaks out and delivers his most accessible film to date in Gerontophilia, without compromising subject matter. Young and beautiful Lake (Pier-Gabriel Lajoie) has troubles with his girlfriend, his mother and his work as his creative and sexual urges start to turn towards older men. Finding work at a nursing home, attraction erupts when Lake meets charismatic Mr Peabody (Walter Borden) and they embark on a memorable road trip. In his first film role, Lajoie delivers a tender performance with intangible screen presence and poster boy good looks that will have you wondering where this actor has been hiding. An aging male body has rarely - if ever - enjoyed so much of the camera’s loving gaze in a feature film, giving the story a fresh perspective. Bruce LaBruce deftly and defiantly skewers the mainstreaming of gay and queer culture and youth obsessed desire. Adept storytelling and solid performances keep difficult themes taut and close to the surface.

Heterosexual Jill (USA)

Directed by Michelle Ehlen

Unable to make progress with her ex-lesbian conversion path, a neurotic "All American" Jill tracks down her butch ex-girlfriend Jamie to prove to herself that she is no longer attracted to her. Strung along by guilt and desire, Jamie agrees to the preposterous plan of "dating" Jill so that Jill can close this chapter of her life and move forward with men. Meanwhile, David and Lola compete for the affections of José, a sexually ambiguous and seductive man from Brazil, and they compare notes on their differing opinions of his sexuality. As complications arise with Jill and Jamie's relationship, Jill starts to see José as her ticket out. However, when the love triangles shift and realign, Jamie has her own identity crisis that she is ill-equipped to handle. A mix of over-the-top comedy, sharp wit, and pathos, Heterosexual Jill rides the edge of laughter and pain, desire and repression, and explores the complicated attachment to one's sense of self in the face of love.

The film received a special mention at the Barcelona International LGTIB Film Festival 2013.

Hot Guys With Guns (USA)

Directed by Doug Spearman

It’s Chinatown meets Boystown. Imagine Lethal Weapon but with Danny Glover and Mel Gibson as younger, hotter ex-boyfriends and you get the idea. This over-the-top ‘private dick’ mystery is filled with laughs and hot L.A. boys. Danny Lohman is a wannabe-actor prepping for the role of a lifetime by studying to be a detective. Funnily enough, he’s actually pretty good at it. Danny’s PI homework includes spying on his recent ex-boyfriend, Pip Armstrong, a handsome trust-funded Alpha-Gay who’s been raised in Beverly Hills and knows every gAy-lister in town. However, he still lives in the pool house on his controlling, alcoholic mother’s estate and she’s determined to keep him under her thumb and away from Danny. After Pip gets drugged and robbed at an orgy the boys get sucked into solving a crime spree that is wreaking havoc on Hollywood's Velvet Mafia. Careers, reputations, and lives are at stake; mostly Pip and Danny's as they go deeper and deeper to solve a case that's way over their heads. It’s a good, old-fashioned who-done-it, cat-and-mouse chase with a ruthless blond, some very wild parties and a dash of Nancy Drew. All done with tongue firmly in cheek, as proven by the slick James Bond inspired credit sequence.

Noor (France & Pakistan)

Directed by Çağla Zencirci and Guillaume Giovanetti

No longer part of the Khusras, Pakistani's transgender community, Noor is determined to carve out his own path and live life as a man. Taking a man's job at a truck decoration centre, Noor's only wish is to discover a woman to love and accept him. Unable to secure a wife without a beard, Noor turns to his friend, Baba for advice. Baba offers his friend support and tells Noor of a faraway lake that can transform lives.In his quest to carve his own niche and find love, Noor encounters diverse characters on a journey that spans much of the country. This film offers a broad insight into Pakistani culture told with honesty and tenderness for both characters and the country. Choreography, dance and music are featured throughout the film and provide an interesting insight into the cultural significance of these practices. Notable cinematography showcases the stunning cinematic landscapes of Pakistan. Premiering at ACID, the independent section at Cannes Film Festival, this film offers a beautiful glimpse at love, loneliness and transgendered life in Pakistan.

Pit Stop (USA)

Directed by Yen Tan

In director Yen Tan’s drama, two men nursing broken hearts eventually find each other in a small Texan town. Recovering from an ill-fated affair with a married man, Gabe, a contractor, finds solace in the relationship he maintains with his ex-wife, Shannon, and daughter. On the other side of town, Ernesto, a lumberyard worker, evades life at home with his live-in ex-boyfriend by spending much of his spare time in the hospital with another past love who is in a coma. Far from the gay centres of the world, director Tan explores the complex and often forgotten lives of gay men in small towns in search of love. The emotional isolation the two men have grown accustomed to is captured in a subtle, optimistic fashion and avoids melodrama. In this refreshingly quiet film, Tan’s protagonists meet for a one-night-stand - having endured all the struggles and heartbreaks and wondering if they’ll ever find love again – and face the possibility that they might just be meant for each other. Pit Stop premiered at Sundance Film Festival and screened at SXSW. The film also won the Texas Grand Jury Prize at the 2013 Dallas International Film Festival

Quick Change (Philippines)

Directed by Eduardo Roy Jr

Dorina is a beautiful transgender Filipino woman raising her nephew, struggling to keep her failing relationship together and eking out a living administering illegal, backyard 'collagen' implants. Servicing the gay community, Dorina's many clients are looking to enhance their beauty, achieve voluptuous figures or become better endowed at a price they can afford. Sourcing actors from the Philippine transgender and gay community, the characters in this movie are beautiful, colourful and compelling. However beneath the attractive exterior of sculpted faces and bodies this movie takes a dark turn, exposing the dangerous side of a black market industry where the unregulated sourcing of implant materials and the lack of medical training threatens serious consequences. Quick Change is a gritty look at the dangerous underbelly of the implant industry and its effects in the beauty pageant world of Filipino gay culture. This feature film unfolds with a sensitivity and commitment to the characters that gives it a documentary feel. Following successful screenings at Cinemalaya (the Philippines' independent film festival), Quick Change has been selected for the 2014 Berlin Film Festival.

Test (USA)

Directed by Chris Mason Johnson

It’s San Francisco in 1985, the new gay disease is frightening the community, both gay and straight.  Frankie, a naïve contemporary dancer who loses himself to dance and new wave 80s music is scared.  Scared of the disease and letting go to dance with the masculinity and confidence his choreographer expects. This award-winning atmospheric and beautifully shot film sets an authentic 80s mood, as we watch Frankie navigate the challenges of being a dancer on the sidelines of his company and the dangers and unknowns of the new disease that is targeting gay men. Joining in his journey is charismatic and confident Todd, a fellow dancer and his polar opposite, but they say opposites attract, right? When one of the other dancers is injured, Frankie must perform in his place.  It’s a test of skill and character.  Will he succeed in facing his fears by taking the new HIV test and letting go to dance the way he knows he should? Recently selected to screen at the 64th Berlinale, we are thrilled to have its Australian Premiere.

Two Mothers (Germany)

Directed by Anne Zohra Berrached

When Katja and Isabella, happily married, decide to have a child, they are confronted with unexpected obstacles. Like many lesbian couples in Germany, they have to find out that the road to a common child is much harder than expected with most of the sperm banks and fertility clinics not offering treatment for homosexual couples due to legal factors. After finally finding a doctor who is willing to offer very expensive inseminations for lesbian women, the fertilisation does not work for months. Katja wants to quit the treatment while Isa suffers more and more with the weight of the treatment failures and the financial hole they are digging themselves. However Isa refuses to give up and finds a trader who sells instruments with which one can inseminate oneself at home. Thousands of men are offering their sperm for money on his website. A casting for potential donors continues over several gruelling weeks. In this time Katja discovers that Isa is willing to betray their pact as well as their relationship in order to fulfil her wish of becoming pregnant. Two Mothers won the FGYO award at Berlinale 2013.

Who’s Afraid of Vagina Wolf (USA)

Directed by Anna Margarita Albelo

This award winning and hilarious comedy is a breath of fresh air.  A semi-autobiographical film within a film, we first meet our protagonist Anna (co-writer/director Anna Margarita Albelo) at her 40th birthday party dressed as a life-size plush vagina.  Anna has three goals in life; make a feature film, lose 20 pounds and get a girlfriend. She currently has none out of three and is determined this is the year to make it happen. With the help of her friends Penelope (Guinevere Turner, Go Fish, The L Word), Chloe (Carrie Preston, The Good Wife, True Blood) and the super sweet and gorgeous cinematographer Julia (Agnes Olech), she embarks on the quest of making an all-female version of the classic Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf and securing her latest muse Katia (Janina Gavankar, True Blood, The L Word) as her girlfriend. Winner of best comedy at QFest, and outstanding actress for Guinevere Turner at Outfest, this witty and fun coming-of-middle-age film is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES

Alice Walker – Beauty In Truth (USA/UK)

Directed by Pratibha Parmar

This feature documentary offers an insightful and sensitive portrait of the renowned writer, feminist and activist, Alice Walker. Walker is best known for her acclaimed novel, A Colour Purple, for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction – the first black woman to do so. Walker provides some remarkably personal reflections about herself, and we receive generous contributions from fellow writers and activists, along with the key people involved in the film adaptation of A Colour Purple, including Steven Spielberg, Danny Glover and Quincy Jones, as well as her friends and former lovers. From her poor upbringing in the southern U.S. state of Georgia, to her involvement in the civil rights movement of the 1960s and her recognition as a key writer of the 20th Century, her journey is truly a remarkable one.

Battle Of The Sexes (USA/UK)

Directed by James Erskine

In 1973, tennis star Billie Jean King agreed to face 1940s men’s champion Bobby Riggs in what became the most watched tennis match in history.  This illuminating documentary goes behind the scenes to show the history of the match, how it came to pass and the impact it had on the media, the community, the sport of tennis and the ever present battle of the sexes.  Looking at the build-up to the event, with all the ridiculous gamesmanship put forth by the self-proclaimed "male chauvinist pig" Bobby Riggs, whilst also taking a fascinating look at the beginnings of women’s professional tennis and a feminist movement led by the charismatic and legendary Billie Jean King. Featuring excellent archival footage and interviews with tennis greats and modern tennis stars like Maria Sharapova and the Williams sisters, this is one documentary about a sporting event that transcends the game, to tell a fascinating story of an inspirational woman who didn’t sit back, but stepped forward to be a vital voice in the women’s liberation movement.

Born This Way (USA/Cameroon)

Directed by Shaun Kadlec and Deb Tullmann

Winner of Best Documentary at Outfest Los Angeles 2013, Born This Way is an unsettling but poignant depiction of the underground gay and lesbian community in the West African country of Cameroon. With some of the world’s harshest laws against homosexuality, life in Cameroon for gays and lesbians can be a daily struggle.  Shot guerilla style, and set largely in and around a community centre for the local LGBT community, we meet an array of young gay men and lesbians, and those helping them live their lives with dignity and justice. Gertrude struggles to come out to the Catholic nun who helped raise her; the flamboyant Cedric is forced to move house when he is attacked; Alice is a prominent lawyer who defends LGBT clients. Both heart wrenching and heart-warming, this moving documentary is an intensely personal insight into day-to-day life for some in modern Africa.

Born Naked (MLB) (Spain)

Directed by Andrea Esteban

“We are all born naked, everything else is drag”. Andrea and Paula, homosexuals of 23 and 25 years, will show us through their personal experience, the reality of young lesbians of their generation in Madrid, London and Berlin. Traveling through these three cities, we will meet different organised groups who will describe their proposals and attitudes towards their sexual orientation. With a riveting and edgy style, Born Naked (MLB) introduces us to individuals who refuse to be labeled by society. A generation who fights for their right to reinvent themselves. The film has screened at Newfest (NY Gay Film Festival 2012), Outfest (LA Gay Film Festival 2012), Cinespaña (Touluse) and American Film Festival.

Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia (USA/Italy)

Directed by Nicholas D. Wrathall

“Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.” – Gore Vidal. A hit on this year’s international film festival circuit, this highly entertaining documentary reminds us why Gore Vidal was truly one of a kind.  Novelist, essayist, playwright, critic, political candidate, raconteur and socialite, he combined a fierce intellect, sharp wit and seductive charm as one of the world’s most well-known public intellectuals. The film is structured around a series of fascinating one-on-one interviews with Vidal, filmed not long before his death in 2012.  Combined with commentary from the likes of the late Christopher Hitchens, filmmaker and nephew Burr Steers, and the best of Vidal’s legendary on-air performances, Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia is a fitting tribute to the man and his life.

Valentine Road (USA)

Directed by Marta Cunningham

On February 12, 2008, in Oxnard, California, Lawrence "Larry" King, 15 years old and openly gay, was shot and killed by his 14-year-old classmate Brandon McInerney, after Larry asked Brandon to be his Valentine.  This not to be missed documentary tells the powerful, important and moving story of two young boys from small town USA.  One of mixed race, a ward of the state and exploring his gender identity, the other, white from a troubled home and with an interest in neo-Nazi philosophy. First-time filmmaker Marta Cunningham brings a remarkable balance to the film as she delves deeply into the story by interviewing people from Larry and Brandon’s lives, as well as those involved in the criminal case. We learn about both of their struggles, the tragic crime and the startling aftermath that led to a tidal wave of shock and discussion around the globe. This incredible documentary calls into question the safety and acceptance of LGBTQI youth, whilst also looking at the fairness of the US educational and juvenile justice systems. Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance and winner of Outstanding Documentary at Frameline (San Francisco LGBT Film Festival), this is one documentary that the world needs to see.

AUSTRALIAN FEATURE FILMS

52 Tuesdays (Australia)

Directed by Sophie Hyde.

16-year-old Billie’s reluctant path to independence is accelerated when her mother reveals plans for gender transition and their time together becomes limited to Tuesday afternoons. Filmed over the course of a year, once a week, every week – only on Tuesdays – these unique filmmaking rules bring a rare authenticity to this emotionally charged story of desire, responsibility and transformation. Sophie Hyde’s directorial debut, 52 Tuesdays, is a one of a kind film. The fascinating aspect of this intimate story is also the unique form representing the chronology of the story, as it was shot every Tuesday for 52 consecutive weeks. The filmmakers had set themselves the same rule, that they could only shoot on Tuesdays up until midnight and only consecutively, so whatever filmed on that day is what happens in the story on that day. The writers, Matthew Cormack and Sophie Hyde, created the structure before they decided on character and story. Led by the very real performances of the collaborators playing the mother, James (Del Herbert-Jane) and teenage daughter Billie (Tilda Cobham-Hervey), the actors, all non-professional, were given the script one week at a time and only given the scenes that they were in. The film has been selected to screen at Sundance and Berlinale 2014.

Submerge (Australia)

Directed by Sophie O'Connor

Jordan (Lily Hall) living with her best friend, the bisexual Lucas (Kevin Dee), is drowning under the pressures of university, her job as a research assistant and her family’s desire for her to become the elite swimmer she has trained all her life to be.  When she meets her history professor’s girlfriend Angie (Christina Hallet), sparks fly and what seems like something that may help her emerge from her stress, only compounds it further as she immerses herself in a world of partying, fetish clubs, anonymous sex and drug taking. A homage to Generation Y and their apparent need to want it all, Submerge takes a look at the pressure society, friends, family and we ourselves put upon us to succeed. The film has an interesting take on the sexual fluidity of a generation not wanting to label themselves as they look to explore, experience and discover who they really are. After playing at over 25 film festivals around the globe, this Australian feature film from Melbourne wraps up its run with its Sydney Premiere where key people from the film will be on hand for a Q&A after the screening.

Zoe Misplaced (Australia)

Directed by Mekelle Mills.

Zoe (the impressive Hannah Raven Smith) is a 20-something lesbian, and just like so many other 20-somethings in Australia, she goes to university, leaves her assignments to the last minute, drinks beer, and is already cynical and wary of love.  So what happens when she unexpectedly falls for the one girl she shouldn’t? This witty and highly relatable film that transcends gender and sexuality goes a long way in showing that lesbians are just like everybody else.  Everyone experiences love, hurt, laughter, failure, betrayal and the all-encompassing desire and infatuation of new love.  But, what effect does this new love have on you and those around you?  Zoe is a student, friend, lover, sister, room-mate and aunt, can she balance all of the expectations and responsibilities she has? One of the first Australian films in years to have a lesbian protagonist, we are thrilled to have the World Premiere of this locally made feature by writer/director Mekelle Mills, with scenes shot in and around Newtown. The cast and crew will be at the screening and participate in a Q&A after the film. This is one experience not to be missed.

AUSTRALIAN DOCUMENTARIES

Croc A Dyke Dundee (Australia)

Directed by Fiona Cunningham-Reid

Dawn O’Donnell was a penniless lesbian in 1950s Australia. She wanted money, power and sex, but of course it was the dark ages.  All women were third class citizens, lesbians practically invisible. Everything was illegal, licensing laws were draconian, with no bars open you couldn’t even get a drink after 6.00pm. Homosexuality was criminalised and demonised, and police brutality was commonplace. Nevertheless, Dawn stormed her way through Sydney’s gay underworld and built herself an empire of drag clubs, car parks, real estate, bars, steam rooms and sex shops. Dawn married twice, once to a man and then to a woman. The convent girl turned ice-skater became the godmother of Sydney’s Rainbow Mile, Oxford Street.  She adored drag queens and many started their careers in Dawn’s pubs.  After all it was the entertainment in one of Dawn’s pubs that served as writing material for Stephan Elliott when crafting Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Dawn was a ruthless businesswoman, but was she a criminal?  Did she run brothels?  Did she commit arson?  Did she or didn’t she murder?  When Dawn died in 2003, the church was packed and a chunk of gay and lesbian history was lost forever. But her legend endures. She was neither a feminist nor a gay activist but for good or bad Dawn O’Donnell was instrumental in Sydney’s transformation from a sleepy provincial city to one of the gayest cities in the world. This film goes some way to sharing the myth and legend of her life.

Out In The Lineup (Australia)

Directed by Thomas Castets

We are pleased to have the World Premiere of Out In The Line Up, a documentary that shines a torch on the taboo of being gay in the surf world. David Wakefield is a former state champion surfer who ended his career early for fear that his peers would discover his sexuality. 20 years later, the typically shy David is thrust into the spotlight after he publically comes out in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators at Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. On the other side of the world, Thomas Castets is setting up the first online community for gay surfers. Together, David and Thomas travel the world from Australia to Hawaii, California, Mexico and the Galapagos Islands. They meet gay surfers, hear their stories and bring awareness to their unique community. The pair speak to everyone – from openly-gay professionals to amateur young surfers, surf journalists to a U.S. Congressman with a surfer husband. Out In The Line Up provides a refreshing perspective on a male-dominated culture that has strayed from its foundation of freedom and open-mindedness.

Vicky – The Gay Gene (Australia)

Directed by Sasha Hadden

Vicky Gene Robinson was consecrated as the world’s first openly gay bishop…wearing a bullet-proof vest. He was the only bishop not invited to the 2008 Lambeth Conference of Bishops, but he was also the only bishop Barack Obama selected to deliver the invocation at the inaugural weekend of his presidential election. Now retired, the former Bishop of New Hampshire in the Episcopal (Anglican) Church of the U.S. remains a divisive figure and caused controversy with his recent visit to Australia, including a well-publicised encounter with the Reverend Fred Nile on ABC’s Lateline. This new documentary from Sydney filmmaker Sasha Hadden follows the Bishop’s visit to Melbourne in 2013.  Anchored by a series of interviews with Melbourne radio presenter Dean Beck, his message is clear – that it will take religious people to undo the harm that religious people have done. As Australia struggles with issues of sexuality and faith, marriage equality, and institutional child sexual abuse, this film is an important and timely contribution.

THE CLASSICS

Muriel’s Wedding (Australia)

Twenty years since its initial release, Muriel’s Wedding has become a classic of Australian cinema. Toni Collette plays the charming and endearing Muriel Heslop, an ‘ugly duckling’ who yearns to escape her dreary suburban existence in the seaside town of Porpoise Spit. She often daydreams of her own Prince Charming sweeping her off her feet to an ABBA-laden soundtrack. Inspired by hedonistic gal-pal Rhonda (Rachel Griffiths), the pair embark on a camp, entertaining and life-changing adventure from a tropical resort to the big city. With an estimably talented supporting cast including Bill Hunter, Matt Day and Daniel Lapaine as Muriel’s hunky betrothed, come join us for a retrospective screening of the comedy classic that launched Toni Collette’s stellar international career, won 4 AFI Awards and introduced a new iconic phrase to the ‘Aussie’ lexicon – “You’re terrible Muriel!”

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (Australia)

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert is perhaps THE queer classic of Australian cinema. Hugo Weaving, Guy Pearce and Terence Stamp play drag queens who christen a large bus ‘Priscilla’, before driving it from their home city of Sydney through the Australian outback where they encounter amazing sights, colourful characters and hostility from homophobic country town residents. With hilarious and touching performances from the lead trio, stunningly designed costumes and breathtaking cinematography, it isn’t difficult to see why Priscilla went on to win two AFI Awards for costume and production design, inspire a hit Broadway musical and receive endless critical acclaim both nationally and internationally for the past two decades.

SHORT FILMS

Best of Golden Woofs

Five years, five continents, 11 countries, 13 judges, over 80 films. One bear short film competition. Drama, comedy, documentary, experimental and music videos from India, Australia, New Zealand, USA and UK are all part of this retrospective best of Bear Men of Adelaide's Golden Woofs - featuring 15 finalists from the last five years. An exciting afternoon of bears on the big screen, with cute cubs, hot daddies, sexy otters, cheeky chubs, friendly chasers and infamous scruppet…

Gay Shorts

This package of great short films about gay life features the excellent In their Room: London, directed by Travis Mathews. Mathews previous In their Room films, and his feature I Want Your Love, have all been refused classification in Australia, so Queer Screen is very happy to get this film through the censorship board.

Mixed Shorts

A great selection of the best queer short films from all over the world. This selection includes the familiar faces of Marisa Tomei, Aubrey Plaza, Sadie Frost and the debut of Jude Law’s son Rudy Law. Several films have been selected for Sundance and SXSW festivals including Social Butterfly and Natives. 

My Queer Career

My Queer Career is Australia's richest prize for queer short films, and one of the highlights of the Mardi Gras Film Festival. The prize returns in 2014 with a fantastic lineup of quality films from across the nation. We have over $10,000 worth of prizes to give away to the best locally produced works. Join us for a special screening and ceremony where we announce judges choices for best films. The winner of Best Film will be granted automatic entry into the world's biggest queer short film competition, The Iris Prize, in Cardiff, Wales.