With its signature mix of heartwarming dramas, provocative documentaries, and groundbreaking panel discussions, this year’s festival is set to deliver a cinematic feast for queer audiences. Festival Director Lisa Rose, in her final year at the helm, shares her insights into the stand-out features, challenges, and triumphs that define the event.
Opening and closing nights are often the heartbeats of any film festival, and this year’s selections set the tone for a journey through love in its many forms. The Belgian coming-of-age romance 'Young Hearts' will launch the festival, while the French dramedy 'Somewhere In Love' takes the final bow.
“Both films are full of love,” Rose explains. “'Young Hearts' is like a warm hug, exploring familial bonds and the tender, unexpected first love of two 14-year-old boys. It’s a beautiful way to begin the festival in a world that could use more love. And with 'Somewhere In Love', I couldn’t stop smiling during the last half hour. That’s exactly how I want the festival to end – on a note of joy and hope.”
Australian and Sydney premieres are a highlight this year, with films like 'Three Kilometres To The End Of The World', winner of the Queer Palm at Cannes, and 'The Shameless', a haunting Indian drama about a butch sex worker and a wannabe rapper.
'Three Kilometres To The End Of The World'
Rose describes 'Three Kilometres' as “a stunningly shot mystery that unravels homophobic crime and corruption in a conservative Romanian town”. She praises its “restrained tension and nuanced performances”, highlighting the festival’s commitment to showcasing diverse global narratives.
Documentaries celebrating queer history, such as 'I’m Your Venus' and 'Unusually Normal', offer profound reflections on community and legacy. 'I’m Your Venus' revisits the life of Venus Xtravaganza, a central figure from the legendary documentary 'Paris Is Burning'.
“It beautifully balances her chosen family in the ballroom scene with her birth family,” Rose notes. “It’s about connection and ensuring her legacy is honoured.”
Meanwhile, 'Unusually Normal' traces the experiences of three generations of queer women in a Canadian family. “From the 1940s to today, it shows how much has changed – and how far we still have to go,” Rose adds.
Retrospectives bring cherished queer cinema to the big screen, with screenings of 'Cabaret' and 'The Birdcage' at the festival’s new outdoor venue. “There’s something magical about watching 'The Birdcage' under the stars,” Rose says. “It’s a shared experience that celebrates the humour and heart of queer stories.”
'Unusually Normal'
Panels like 'Queering the Writer’s Room' and 'Intersectional Genre Filmmaking on a Microbudget' aim to inspire the next generation of creators. These industry events highlight the challenges queer filmmakers face, particularly in underrepresented communities.
“Queer writers often find themselves as the sole voice in the room, expected to represent everyone,” Rose observes. “We hope these conversations motivate change and inspire new voices to tell their stories.”
As Rose reflects on her tenure, the accomplishments are many – from the festival’s participation in the Marché du Film at Cannes to initiatives supporting emerging Australian filmmakers, like the Queer Screen Pitch-Off. But for Rose, the magic lies in the shared experience of cinema.
“Standing at the back of a cinema and watching people connect with a film – that’s what I’ll miss most,” she admits.
With its bold programming and commitment to queer storytelling, Mardi Gras Film Festival continues to be a vital platform for love, legacy, and revolution. Whether you’re under the stars with 'The Birdcage' or immersed in the quiet tension of 'Three Kilometres To The End Of The World', this year’s line-up is a testament to the enduring power of queer cinema.
Check out more information about the programme.
Queer Screen Mardi Gras Film Festival is on 13-27 February (in cinemas) and 28 February-10 March (on demand).
