Melbourne Queer Film Festival launches

The program for the 23rd annual Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) was launched last week with organisers announcing 169 films, a new venue, ticketing system and phone app along with the festival’s first ever 3D screening.

The opening night screening is Gayby about two friends pushing the boundaries of their relationship. The film has already garnered 16 awards.

This year’s festival also features two locally produced films.

Monster Pies, directed by Lee Galea, which was filmed around Melbourne’s western suburbs tells the story of a loner, Mike, whose feelings are awakened by a new boy at his school, while Melbourne International Film Festival award winner Sophie O’Connor, takes us into a world of fetish and anonymous sex in her ‘Gen Y’ drama Submerge.

Other highlights are the multi award-winning film about being a transgender person in the Middle-East, Facing Mirrors, and Yossi, which revisits the life of gay Israel Defence Force soldier Yossi ten years after his clandestine affair with a fellow soldier which was the subject of director Eytan Fox’s hit Yossi and Jagger.

The 3D screening will be A Liar’s Autobiography - The Untrue Story of Monty Python’s Graham Chapman, about the late, gay member of the famed British comedy team.

The MQFF runs from March 14 to 24 for further information: mqff.com.au

Image: MQFF Festival Director, Lisa Daniel.