Unmissable Special Events at MGFF24

With a program of over 161 films and events spread across 77 unique programs there’s no shortage of things to do and see at this year’s Mardi Gras Film Festival, but if you’re struggling to decide these special events are not to be missed!

Opening Night Gala: Femme

Thu 15 Feb, 7:00pm
Event Cinemas, George St

Following a violent homophobic attack, how far is Jules willing to go to ingratiate himself into his attacker’s world to get revenge? Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Benjamin, QSFF19; Misfits) and George MacKay (Pride, QSFF14; 1917) are phenomenal in this acclaimed neo-noir thriller about internalised homophobia and queer resilience.

Screening will be followed by an Opening Night after party in Gold Class. Party tickets have now sold out, but film-only tickets are still available.

Closing Night Gala: Housekeeping for Beginners

Thu 29 Feb, 7:00pm
Event Cinemas, George Street

Though Dita has no interest in being a mother, she nonetheless becomes the de facto matriarch of a household of queers with nowhere else to go. Winner of the Venice Queer Lion, acclaimed Australian filmmaker Goran Stolevski (Of an Age, MGFF23) injects this sensitive domestic drama with his signature fast-paced, witty dialogue as he finds the joy in the chaos of found family.

Screening will be followed by a Closing Night Gala after party in Gold Class. Film-only tickets are also available.

OpenAir: All of Us Strangers

Sun 18 Feb, 8:30pm
Westpac OpenAir

One night in his near-empty London tower block, Adam has a chance encounter with a mysterious, flirty neighbour Harry, puncturing the rhythm of his everyday loneliness. Paul Mescal and Andrew Scott reveal extraordinary intimacy in this beautiful, heart-wrenching film from Andrew Haigh (Weekend).

Don’t miss your chance to see one of the year’s most talked about queer films with a largely queer audience, against the backdrop of the stunning Sydney Harbour.

Music from Queer Film: Performed by the Sydney Cello Quartet

Tue 20 Feb, 6:15pm
Sydney Opera House, Playhouse

Embark on a journey through music from classic queer films performed with passion, power and elegance by the Sydney Cello Quartet. Experience music from classic queer films like Carol, Moonlight, Call Me by Your Name, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and so much more at the iconic Sydney Opera House.

A wonderful array of musical arrangements will be performed by the Sydney Cello Quartet in the beautiful Playhouse Theatre. Multipack tickets that includes both the performance and screening of Days of Happiness are available.

Days of Happiness

Tue 20 Feb, 8:15pm
Sydney Opera House, Playhouse Theatre

Emma is a talented up-and-coming conductor who is caught in a conundrum between career, family and love. With her agent father on one side and her new single-mother girlfriend on the other, she must decide whether she will stick with the status quo or carve a new path, in this moving drama.

Keep the night of musical performance going with a special screening of this emotionally gripping drama in the beautiful Playhouse Theatre. Multipack tickets that includes both the screening and Music from Queer Film performance are available.

Narrative Centrepiece: The Missing

Wed 21 Feb, 8:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St

Eric has a good life: he’s close to his mum, lives alone and even has a crush on his coworker Carlos. The only problem – he doesn’t have a mouth. The Philippines’ entry for Best International Feature at the Oscars, is a stunning sci-fi allegory for trauma that reveals the power in confronting the past.

Our Narrative Centrepiece is a remarkable piece of filmmaking not to be missed. Writer-director Carl Joseph E. Papa will be in attendance for a Q&A.

Documentary Centrepiece: Queendom

Mon 19 Feb, 8:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St

Exhilarating documentary Queendom follows radical non-binary artist Gena Marvin as she takes to the streets of Moscow to raise awareness for LGBTIQ+ people. Filmed over four years, it captures the vulnerability and incredible bravery of Gena as she stages protest performances in otherworldly costumes.

Do not miss our riveting and vital Documentary Centrepiece.

Sing-a-long: The Sound of Music

Fri 23 Feb, 7:00pm
Ritz Cinemas, Randwick

Calling all naughty nuns, cool captains and bratty children – it’s time to sing-a-long with The Sound of Music! Join us, the Order of Perpetual Indulgence and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir as we dive deep into this classic musical to belt out all the songs we know and love. We promise a raucous night where we transport ourselves to Salzburg and try to solve a problem like Maria. Find your best curtains to wear and be there!

Australian Showcase: Sahela

Fri 16 Feb, 7:00pm
Event Cinemas, George St

As second-generation Indians in Western Sydney, Vir and Nitya were achieving everything that was expected of them – professional careers, a marriage and a down payment for a home. But as Vir inches closer to fulfilling his parents’ dreams, he realises he can no longer ignore his own desires.

Producer Tayyab Madni in attendance for a Q&A. Followed by an Australian Showcase after party in the Johnnie Walker Festival Bar. Film-only tickets are also available.

Australian Showcase: A Portrait of Love

Mon 19 Feb, 6:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St

A joyful celebration of the life and loss of Archibald award-winning artist Craig Ruddy, told through the eyes of his loving partner of twenty years. Directed by Molly Reynolds (My Name is Gulpilil), go behind the scenes of their life together to witness the spirit of the man and artist.

Director Molly Renolds, subject Roberto Meza Mont and editor Sam Matthews in attendance for a Q&A. Followed by an Australian Showcase after party in the Johnnie Walker Festival Bar. Film-only tickets are also available.

Australian Showcase: Sunflower

Sat 24 Feb, 7:00pm
Event Cinemas, George St

Australian director Gabriel Carrubba’ s impressive first feature follows 17-year-old Leo. Growing up in working-class Melbourne, Leo plays sport, goofs off with his best mate, and finds himself the object of affection of his female classmates. However, he is also questioning his sexuality.

Writer-director Gabriel Carrubba and actor Liam Mollica in attendance for Q&A. Followed by an Australian Showcase after party in the Johnnie Walker Festival Bar. Film-only tickets are also available.

Australian Showcase: In the Room Where He Waits

Sun 25 Feb, 6:00pm
Event Cinemas, George St

Director Timothy Despina Marshall delivers a claustrophobic tale of grief and abandonment in the unforgettably chilling psychological thriller, about a queer theatre actor (Daniel Monks) who’s forced to confront all that he has repressed when he returns to Australia in the lead up to his father’s funeral.

Writer-director Timothy Despina Marshall and producer Bec Dakin in attendance for a Q&A. Followed by an Australian Showcase after party in the Johnnie Walker Festival Bar. Film-only tickets are also available.