WorldPride Vibes In Cinema

With the monumental Sydney WorldPride taking Sydney by storm in February and March, there will be plenty of queer excellence you can enjoy around the city.

If you’re a lover of LGBTIQ+ film and storytelling, then you’re in luck. Queer Screen’s 30th Mardi Gras Film Festival will take place 15 February – 2 March 2023.  This year will be one of our biggest ever, with 166 films screening across more than 100 sessions in cinema, outdoors and on-demand at home. as well as hosting panel discussions, workshops, industry networking events, international guests and parties.

Here are some of our extra special MGFF23 events to have you celebrating and enjoying the WorldPride Vibes in cinema!

Number 96: TV’s First LGBT Show

TV Screening + Documentary World Premiere + Panel Discussion

Thu, Feb 16, 6:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney
Selling fast! 🔥

Join us for a double screening, followed by a fascinating panel discussion! Actor Joe Hasham and TV historian Andrew Mercado discuss how in 1972, Number 96 became the first TV show in the world to feature a full range of LGBT characters.

A special camptastic episode of Number 96 will screen along with the WORLD PREMIERE of documentary Outrageous: The Queer History of Australian TV, featuring Shane “Courtney Act” Jenek, author Benjamin Law, scriptwriter Sarah Walker, the legendary Carlotta, the iconic Michael Kirby and Hollywood superstar Keiynan Lonsdale!

TÁR

OpenAir Screening of Oscar-nominated drama

Sun, Feb 19, 8:30pm
Westpac OpenAir Cinema, Sydney
Selling fast! 🔥

TÁR is understandably the hype of this year’s Academy Award. So you definitely don’t want to miss your chance to see this gripping and timely film with a largely queer audience, against the backdrop of the stunning Sydney Harbour.

Cate Blanchett delivers a ferocious, career-best performance in this acclaimed, award-winning portrait of an intimidating lesbian maestro.

Stephen Cummins Retrospective Gala

Special archival screening + Panel discussion + After party

Tue, Feb 21, 6:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney

A night of honouring and celebrating Stephen Cummins (1960-1994), an Australian filmmaker, curator, artist and co-founder of Queer Screen who left an indelible mark on queer cinema.

Come and reflect on Stephen’s influential career with a retrospective gala presentation of his complete works, presented in partnership with the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and Simon Hunt, Stephen’s estate executor. The screening will be introduced by Simon Hunt, and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Cummins’ key creatives and collaborators. Stick around after for a party celebrating Stephen Cummins’ life and career.

Afternoon Delight with The LOVE Project

Movie matinee + Social gathering for older LGBTIQ+ people

Mon, Feb 27, 1:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney

Come and join a fun social afternoon with older LGBTIQ+ community members and allies! Entry is free for anyone 65 and older, with other guests welcome to join for a $10 contribution! Enjoy the short films Jazmin and Rhiw Goch: On the Red Hill followed by the documentary Gateways Grind about London’s longest surviving lesbian club, and a Q&A with the filmmakers.

Gateways Grind includes a special Q&A with Director Jacquie Lawrence and Producer Fizz Milton. Delicious treats, drag performances, networking and access to local health information available after the screening.

Trans Women Champions

World Premiere screening + Panel discussion + After party

Mon, Feb 20, 7:00pm
Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney

Celebrate trans excellence with this double screening, panel discussion and a lush after party! Courageous, celebratory and proud – this will be a night all about the brilliance of the trans and gender community.

Two mid-length documentaries about extraordinary Australian trans women: the World Premiere of Trans Glamoré, about DJ Victoria Anthony, founder of the Sydney institution; and The Accidental Archivist about Julie Peters, the first trans woman to run for Federal and Victorian State parliaments.

Vegas in Space

Cult classic screening + Cast and crew panel + Special after party

Tue, Feb 28, 7:00pm
Ritz Cinemas, Randwick, Sydney

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime screening preceded by live performances! Co-writer and director Phillip R. Ford, co-writer and actor Miss X, actor Silvana Nova, and musical director Timmy Spence will be in attendance for a Q&A moderated by Jay Katz.

A fabulously camp musical odyssey that has to be seen to be believed, bask in the brilliance of pioneering Australian drag queen Doris Fish’s 90s cult classic Vegas in Space. Then join us afterwards for an exclusive, out of this world after party!

The Giants

Documentary screening + Cast and crew Q&A + After party

Wed, Feb 22, 6:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney

Come and see the Sydney premiere of this exhilarating and unforgettable documentary, which chronicles the extraordinary life of Dr Bob Brown, Australia’s first openly gay member of parliament.

This screening includes a special Q&A with subject of the film Dr Bob Brown, and directors Laurence Billiet and Rachael Antony, followed by an exclusive after party celebrating The Giants.

The Winner Takes It All

World Premiere screening + Cast and crew Q&A + After party

Sat, Feb 18, 6:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney

This will be a night to remember. Sydney drag icon and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under alum Maxi Shield stars in a farcical comedy that brings to mind the works of John Waters.

Come and enjoy this camptastic comedy for its World Premiere, followed by a special Q&A with writer-director James Demitri, with actors Maxi Shield, Jessica Marchi, Manuel Kornisiuk and Jack Stratton-Smith. Afterwards, join our campy after party celebrating The Winner Takes It All.

The Longest Weekend

Australian showcase screening + Cast and crew Q&A + After party

Thu, Feb 23, 6:30pm
Event Cinemas, George St

The Longest Weekend is a must-see Australian film, and a previous Queer Screen Completion Fund recipient! Lou, Avery and Rio’s lives are falling apart, but adultery and binge drinking are just the tip of the iceberg, in this Inner West Sydney-based drama.

Join us for this screening, including a special Q&A with director Molly Haddon, writer and producer Jorrden Daley, and actor Tammy Macintosh, followed by an after party celebrating the film.

The Venus Effect

Australian Premiere Screening + Closing Night Gala Party

Thu, Mar 2, 7:00pm
Event Cinemas, George St, Sydney

Help us close out our 30th Mardi Gras Film Festival in style with this special screening followed by an exclusive Gold Class after party! 🥂

Join us for the Australian Premiere of The Venus Effect: 20-something Liv thinks she has everything figured out, until she’s swept off her feet by spontaneous free spirit Andrea in this feel good, award-winning Danish romantic dramedy.