SQ News

A new film festival for Brisbane joins statewide screen content


The re-birth of the Brisbane International Film Festival, along with film events throughout the state will take place with funding from Screen Queensland.

Screen Culture funding of $1,404,500 will support 23 festivals and events in 2017 and 2018, including a new Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) in August.

This funding will also support the next two years (2018 and 2019) of the long-running Gold Coast Film Festival, with an increase from $75,000 to $150,000 per festival, as well as two years of funding for the Australian Film Industry (AFI |AACTA) program and the Asia Pacific Screen Awards industry and screening program.

Screen Queensland Board Chair Linda Apelt said the Screen Culture funding, offered in two rounds each year, with multi-year funding available for festivals with attendances above 10,000, worked to leverage significant industry partnerships.

“Screen Queensland is partnering with Brisbane Marketing for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, with the AFI |AACTA for a program of screenings, and with Palace Cinemas for the Brisbane International Film Festival,” Ms Apelt said.

Screen Queensland CEO Tracey Vieira said Screen Culture funding would support new events, along with successful ongoing local festivals and events.

“I welcome the six new entrants on board,” Ms Vieira said. “These are the Noosa Surf Film Festival, interactive screen conference Game On at Brisbane Powerhouse, the Monster Fest Travelling SideShow of horror films screening in regional areas, a unique film program for 2017 Brisbane Festival, the Brisbane International Film Festival, and the year-round APSA screening program.”

Funding will also support popular ongoing film activity extending from Mount Isa to Magnetic Island, from Cairns to Gympie, Gladstone and the Gold Coast.

Screen Culture funding is offered twice each year. Applications for film activity from January to July 2018 will open in August 2017.

A list of Screen Culture Funding 2017-18 Round 1 is available here.