Queer Screen Pride In Film: Industry Development Series

Queering The Writer’s Room

Sat 15 Feb, 1PM
State Library of NSW

What’s it like working in a writer’s room as a LGBTIQ+ person? In an industry that’s not always been very diverse we’ll explore how things have changed, how queer characters do (and don’t) get on screen and navigating representing an entire community. Moderated by writer and broadcaster Gen Fricker, she’ll be joined by Anchuli Felicia King (Deadloch, Mary & George), Enoch Mailangi (All My Friends Are Racist, Invisible Boys) and Greg Waters (Riot, Dance Academy).

It Should’ve Been Queer

Sat 15 Feb, 2:30pm
State Library of NSW

Starved of representation in our formative years, LGBTIQ+ people become experts in finding queer subtext even the original creators never intended. This light-hearted discussion will dive into some of the films and TV that made us feel seen even when we weren’t on screen. Moderated by critic Michael Sun, he’ll be joined by festival programmer Jordan Bastian (SXSW Sydney), filmmaker and actor Juan Pablo Di Pace (Duino), writer Rebecca Shaw (Hard Quiz) and performance artist and musician Dyan Tai. (Empress, screening in QueerDOC Shorts).

Filmmaker Masterclass: Ask Ana Kokkinos Anything

Sun 23rd Feb, 11:30am
Haymarket Creative, Main Theatre

In this interactive filmmaker masterclass, Ana will share her in-depth knowledge from a decades-spanning career that’s included award-winning films like Only the Brave (1994), Head On (1999) and Blessed (2009), as well as television shows like Seven Types of Ambiguity (2017), The Hunting(2019) and Ten Pound Poms (2023). With a primary focus on the directing process, she’ll be guided by attendee’s questions to explore everything from the differences (and similarities) of working across both mediums, the vital work of directing actors, to how an understanding of direction can improve one’s screenwriting.

Filmmaker Masterclass: From Script(ment) to Screen

Sun 23rd Feb, 2:00pm
Haymarket Creative, Main Theatre

Writer-director Mikko Mäkelä and producer James Watson have collaborated on two feature films, A Moment in the Reeds (MGFF18) and Sebastian (see it 25 Feb), plus short film Nothing Special (MGFF24).

Using examples from their work, they’ll explore how to craft a narrative and translate the script to the screen. Whether approaching a scene from a strictly scripted perspective or incorporating improvisation, what are essential elements to have on the page? And to what extent can things end up being re-written on set and/or in the edit?

Behind The Festival Lens: In Conversation with Lisa Rose and Frances Wallace

Sun 23 Feb, 4pm
Haymarket Creative, Main Theatre

As Festival Director Lisa Rose prepares to say goodbye to Queer Screen, join her and CEO of Sydney Film Festival (and former Executive Director of Frameline Film Festival) Frances Wallace in conversation about all things film festival.

Offering behind the scenes insights into what goes into putting on an event at this scale, they’ll discuss their professional wins and challenges, offer advice to filmmakers on the dos and don’ts of submitting to festivals and getting their films onto the silver screen and help aspiring festival professionals understand the industry.

Intersectional Genre Filmmaking on a Microbudget

Tue 25 Feb, 6PM
Event Cinemas, George St

A look at the layered and expansive storytelling that’s possible using genre mechanics, the strength of genre audience and the art of getting things made with whatever you can pull together. Moderated by Chair of the Gender Matters Taskforce Rosie Lourde, she’ll be joined by filmmakers Kaye Adelaide (The Rebrand), Alice Maio Mackay (Carnage for Christmas) and Lauren Neal (Under the Influencer), with another panellist to be announced. Entry is free, but bookings are essential.

Industry Networking

Tues 25 Feb, 7PM
Event Cinemas, George St

Whether you’re a writer, director, producer, editor, actor, gaffer, cinematographer, lighting technician, hair stylist, animator – or something else entirely! Regardless of your role in the industry, we encourage artists from every discipline, at whatever level they are at in their career to attend, so we can all work together to advance queer film. Entry is free, but bookings are essential.