Screen Queensland Chair, Ms Catherine O’Sullivan today announced the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) will present the Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) over the next three years, from 2018 to 2020.
Ms O‘Sullivan said BIFF held a special place in the cultural heart of our capital city and it was a thrill to have QAGOMA on board.
“BIFF is Brisbane’s flagship film festival, screening the best in Australian and international cinema and I’m confident QAGOMA will deliver an extraordinary film culture event for the next three years,” said Ms O’Sullivan.
“The Queensland Government values the cultural, social and economic contribution an active screen culture can deliver to Queensland – attracting locals and tourists, building the skillsets of local practitioners, boosting the economy and supporting local jobs.
“On top of this funding support for BIFF, the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Screen Culture Funding Program has provided $1.05 million in funding to 36 film festivals and events across the state this financial year.”
QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said BIFF 2018 would be presented in October at the Australian Cinémathèque, GOMA, and a range of soon-to-be-announced supporting venues across the city.
Mr Saines said the festival, supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland and in association with the Australian Federal Government through Screen Australia, would celebrate international and Australian contemporary screen culture.
“BIFF 2018 will feature new release titles and film retrospectives, alongside screenings with live music, conversations, panel discussions, gala events and more,” Mr Saines said.
“I’m pleased to announce that QAGOMA’s acting Curatorial Manager of the Australian Cinémathèque, Amanda Slack-Smith will be Artistic Director for BIFF 2018.
“GOMA’s Australian Cinémathèque, the only cinema facility of its kind in an Australian art museum, will be the home for this year’s BIFF, with the festival showcasing films not yet seen in Queensland or Australia and positioning the new work of local filmmakers in a global context.”
Mr Saines said the Gallery’s presentation of BIFF 2018 would draw on more than a decade of institutional expertise in developing programs of local and international cinema, and delivering major film-focused exhibitions such as ‘David Lynch: Between Two Worlds’ in 2015 and last year’s record-breaking ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’.
“The opportunity to develop and present BIFF from 2018-2020 is an honour and an exciting challenge, and an opportunity for QAGOMA to welcome new audiences while further contributing to Queensland’s screen culture.
“We appreciate the support of Screen Queensland and Screen Australia, and look forward to presenting a dynamic program for film-lovers of all ages and backgrounds.
“QAGOMA will seek cinema and presenting partners to broaden the scope and capacity of the festival in 2018,” he said.
Chief Executive of Screen Queensland, Tracey Vieira said the partnership with QAGOMA brings the much loved film festival to a new home that will take the event to new heights.
“QAGOMA’s intricate understanding of art and culture and its place not just in Brisbane but in Australia and the Asia Pacific region will deliver an exciting program for cinephiles, industry and the wider community,” said Ms Vieira.
“The program that QAGOMA is developing for BIFF will continue to strengthen our position in Queensland as a leading screen destination.
“It is ambitious and will enrich the community with diverse content that confirms Queensland’s growing reputation as a creative leader in the screen space,” she said.
Alongside BIFF’s public program, industry workshops, events and panel discussions will be presented by Screen Queensland in partnership with industry to support the growth of the state’s screen industry.
QAGOMA will seek a cinema partner to broaden the scope and capacity of the festival in 2018.
Stay up-to-date with the latest BIFF news and screenings by subscribing at www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/biff2018
– ENDS –
For all SQ media enquiries please contact:
Angela Samut – 0405 536 548 | asamut@screenqld.com.au
For all QAGOMA media enquiries, please contact:
Amelia Gundelach – 0404 994 985 | amelia.gundelach@qagoma.qld.gov.au
