LGBTIQ+ communities and allies across the country can access over 35 feature films, documentaries and shorts as the 8th Queer Screen Film Fest goes online and on demand this September.
Sydneysiders will also be treated to a drag double feature at the Skyline Drive-In (Stage Mother and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert) and two social but safe screenings of the powerful documentary, Welcome To Chechnya. The full program will be announced on Thursday 3 September 2020.
The program will be available for 11 days from Thursday 17 September to Sunday 27 September and Festival Director, Lisa Rose says it is exciting to reach new audiences and go virtual. “Queer Screen has adapted to the ‘new normal’ by offering the program Australia-wide for the first time and making sure its loyal Sydney-based audience is also treated to a festival first,” she says.
Skyline Drive-In at Blacktown will go fully camp on Saturday 26 September, as it hosts the Sydney premiere of Stage Mother, starring Aussie legend Jacki Weaver, as a conservative Southern choir leader who inherits a drag club from her late son. With a stellar cast that also includes Lucy Liu, Adrian Grenier and Mya Taylor, it is a sassy and inspiring comedy that’s not to be missed.
No drag double feature would be complete without a retrospective screening of the gay classic Australia gave to the world – The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Sit back in the comfort of your car and quote the script, sing along to the soundtrack, enjoy the spectacular Oscar-winning outfits and cheer every moment of this down-under delight!
“In this time of social distancing the drive-in is having quite the resurgence and we are so excited to be bringing two really fun films to the really big screen. There isn’t a better way to spend a Saturday night.” said Rose.
The festival will also feature one other social but safe screening in partnership with Antenna Documentary Film Festival of Award winning filmmaker David France’s Welcome To Chechnya. An unflinching documentary that gives survivors and activists a voice in an urgent exposé of the ongoing attack on Chechen LGBTIQ+ people. Screening Saturday 19 September and Sunday 20 September at Palace’s Chauvel Cinema.
“2020 has proven to be a year of challenges and changes and for us it has presented a unique opportunity to bring an incredible program of new LGBTIQ+ films directly into people’s homes and devices, across the whole of Australia,” sad Rose. “We can’t wait to announce the full program and let our diverse community immerse themselves in stories from around the globe.
The 2020 Queer Screen Film Fest runs from Thursday 17 September to Sunday 27 September. The full program will be announced on Thursday 3 September. Online Passes and tickets for Welcome to Chechnya and the Drive-In Double Feature are on sale now. For more information, visit: www.queerscreen.org.au for details.
Image: Jacki Weaver stars in Stage Mother – courtesy of Madman Entertainment