For over three decades, the Brisbane International Film Festival has connected Queensland audiences and industry with the world’s leading filmmakers.

Building on the legacy of founding directors Anne Demy-Geroe, Gary Ellis and programmer David Stratton, whose vision established the Chauvel Award and Cinesparks, BIFF 2025 honours its past while evolving into a live collaboration between filmmakers, musicians, visual artists and audiences. We call this Cinema Elevated.

This year, the Brisbane International Film Festival celebrates 33 years as Queensland’s premier film festival. With the city gearing up for its global spotlight in 2032, BIFF enters a bold new era – reimagined for a contemporary, international Brisbane.

Organised by emotion rather than genre, BIFF’s roster of 62 films opens a window on a world of experiences and perspectives. No matter what your mood or taste, let BIFF take you on a journey through the hearts and minds of the world’s best filmmakers.

BIFF 2025
27-30 November 2025
Various locations around Brisbane
www.biff.com.au

The festival was created with the help of the National Union of Australian University Students and Nimbin was their third edition after events in Sydney and Melbourne. It was, however, the first event under the Aquarius moniker. Its stated intent was to celebrate alternative thinking and sustainable lifestyles and lasted for ten days. It is credited for starting Australia’s hippie movement.

This doco tells the story through archival footage and interviews with event organisers, performers, townspeople and participants. It also features several animated cartoon graphics to help fill in the details. It was such an outlier event for its time, it garnered a lot of television coverage so the filmmakers were able to ferret out some great footage. The contrast between audience members and members of the media and local authorities is hilariously stark.

With the current harsh divide between people who have a political agenda and those who just want the world to be a better place, an event like this would be nearly impossible to pull off. Some of it seems very naive but there were actual endeavours that came out of this mindset back then that did improve things. A dedicated group actually had success in stopping the deforestation of a local rainforest for example. If it were to happen today, Live Nation would have to figure out a way to properly monetise it.
Rob Hudson

The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) is a celebration of cinema as art, entertainment and industry, for everyone seeking bold and unforgettable experiences.

An annual event, held over 11 days from Thursday 24th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024 and spread across several wonderful locations in Brisbane.

This years festival will showcase over 40 feature films and 40 short films from home and abroad, filmmaker Q&As, industry and student events.
www.biff.com.au/

The documentary Teaches of Peaches tells this story in her own words and the words of friends mixed with archival live footage and well-known video clips. Her journey has been a fascinating one and her bravery in not following expectations shows a true punk rock spirit. Few in the music business have been this courageous or immune to the expectations of others.

Her concerts are such a joyous communal experience because they are so inclusive. Looking out into her audience will defy your attempts to categorise the participants. The only common traits are the broad smiles on their faces and the swing in their steps. This is mirrored by the diversity of the performers that join her on stage.

The film does a wonderful job of giving you access to her world and the strange and wonderful people that inhabit that world. It also gives you insight into her creative process, one where you find it is made of more feel than technique. It’s a work that will be a treat for fans and for those with little or no knowledge of her music and career, it will provide a viable starting point for further exploration.
Rob Hudson

The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) is a celebration of cinema as art, entertainment and industry, for everyone seeking bold and unforgettable experiences.

An annual event, held over 11 days from Thursday 24th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024 and spread across several wonderful locations in Brisbane.

This years festival will showcase over 40 feature films and 40 short films from home and abroad, filmmaker Q&As, industry and student events.
www.biff.com.au/

The set-up is basic as we catch a preoccupied-looking Johnson exiting the airport and grabbing a cab from the rank to transport her back into Manhattan. Behind the wheel is Clark (Penn) a twenty-plus-year veteran of driving people where they want to go. He is a keen observer of the human condition and those decades have not been wasted.

They soon strike up a conversation that will slowly reveal hidden secrets and expose the depths of their internal conflicts. It is fascinating watching, or rather hearing Penn slice through Johnson’s defences with his observations on why people do the things they do. He gets her to reveal herself to him in a way she has never done before.

The strength of the film resides in the words spoken by the actors with such consummate skill. The script is so full of wonderful nuance and drive, it doesn’t waste a single word. By the film’s end, you will feel like you got to know these two people intimately and your world will become better for it. If you love film, you will love this.
Rob Hudson

The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) is a celebration of cinema as art, entertainment and industry, for everyone seeking bold and unforgettable experiences.

An annual event, held over 11 days from Thursday 24th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024 and spread across several wonderful locations in Brisbane.

This years festival will showcase over 40 feature films and 40 short films from home and abroad, filmmaker Q&As, industry and student events.
www.biff.com.au/

How crazy you might ask. Well, there are wanking zombies who put out fires with the climax of a circle jerk, an adjunct who climbs on top of a giant brain and self-immolates herself and Cate Blanchett with one of the worst faux German accents ever put to film. Oh, and the leader of Canada sports the type of ironic man bun that would put any barista to shame.

The seven leaders of the free world are presented as almost petulant children and it’s funny to see them act so juvenile and unprepared for the onslaught of weird about to descend upon their tightly-knit world. For reasons that are never fully explained, they start the summit under a gazebo all by themselves in the middle of an empty and mysterious German forest.

This was after they were taken to an archaeology dig where they had their picture taken while holding shovels and smiling with a two-thousand-year-old mummy with his penis tied around his neck in a box occupying centre stage. Weird falls way short as a descriptor. The running gag is that throughout all the insanity they still need to write their introductory speech, which ends up being about building a giant sundial. You know these are all the normal things that make up an entertaining and outrageous film.
Rob Hudson

Rumours is currently screening at the Brisbane International Film Festival and will be released in Aussie cinemas December 5!
The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) is a celebration of cinema as art, entertainment and industry, for everyone seeking bold and unforgettable experiences.

An annual event, held over 11 days from Thursday 24th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024 and spread across several wonderful locations in Brisbane.

This years festival will showcase over 40 feature films and 40 short films from home and abroad, filmmaker Q&As, industry and student events.

Rumors BIFF Session details
Palace Barracks
Saturday 26 October | 3:00PM

Dendy Portside
Friday 1 November | 6:15PM

New Farm Cinema
Friday 1 November | 5:00PM
www.biff.com.au

Written and directed by Jacob Richardson, whose feature film debut comes two years after he made headlines with his short documentary SALT OF THE EARTH (the story of the man who invented Chicken Salt) at Adelaide Film Festival 2022, THE AEGEAN was shot on the remote Greek island of Kythira, with a multinational cast and crew including many Brisbane locals.

The film stars Hollywood icon Costas Mandylor (SAW), who gives a beautiful, nuanced performance in a unique change of pace from his well-known horror fare, returning to his ancestral homeland of Greece to deliver a truly heartbreaking turn as a widowed sailor. He’s joined by Greek rap superstar LIGHT (aka Nero Greco), who plays a ruthless villain, and British newcomer Nicky Dune. Produced by Australian production company Film Focus Productions, this is truly an international odyssey.

The Aegean BIFF Screening
27 October 2024 – 7:15pm (arrivals/red carpet from 5:30pm)
New Farm Cinemas, Brisbane
www.biff.com.au

The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) 2024 program includes new films from acclaimed and visionary filmmakers including Pedro Almodóvar’s THE ROOM NEXT DOOR starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton; the Palme d’Or Winning film ANORA from Sean Baker starring Mikey Madison; the highly anticipated EMILIA PEREZ from Jacques Audiard starring Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón, NIGHTBITCH starring Amy Adams and Brady Corbet’s historical drama THE BRUTALIST starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce

Commencing October 24 through to November 3, 2024 at eight cinema locations across Brisbane; Palace Barracks, Dendy Coorparoo, Dendy Portside and Dendy Outdoor, Reading Newmarket, Reading Jindalee, Five Star New Farm and the Angelika Film Centre, BIFF’s program truly has something for everyone.

The Red Carpet will be rolled out for the Opening Night and Queensland Premiere of SATURDAY NIGHT on Thursday October 24 at Palace Barracks. Directed by Jason Reitman, SATURDAY NIGHT is a hilarious cinematic comedy that captures the 90 minutes of barely contained chaos leading up to the first broadcast of NBC’s Saturday Night Live.

Bringing BIFF 2024 to a powerful conclusion, is the World Premiere of UNBREAKABLE: THE JELENA DOKIC STORY promising a heart-wrenching and inspirational finale where the audience will join Jelena Dokic and Directors, Ivan O’Mahoney and Jessica Halloran at Red Carpet Australian Premiere, Sunday November 3, at Dendy Coorparoo.

BIFF’s powerful program is lashed with internationally acclaimed films, special presentations and Red-Carpet Galas including;

• NIGHTBITCH, starring Amy Adams, is poised to captivate audiences with its bold and intriguing storyline, adapted from Rachel Yoder’s acclaimed novel. The film follows a former career woman turned stay-at-home mom, whose ordinary life takes a surreal twist as her maternal instincts begin to manifest in canine form.
• A special presentation of THE ROOM NEXT DOOR, Pedro Almodovar’s English-language debut starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, which recently was awarded the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion award.
• RUMOURS starring Cate Blanchett is generating significant buzz as it dives into the complex world of personal and professional scandals set against the backdrop of high-stakes media and corporate intrigue.
• PIECE BY PIECE, reconstructing the magic and brilliance of Pharrell Williams’ music using the beloved LEGO® bricks, piece by piece.
• EMILIA PEREZ, a highly anticipated musical crime comedy directed by Jacques Audiard, known for his distinctive storytelling style. The film stars Karla Sofia Gascón in the titular role, alongside Hollywood heavyweights Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña
• The Palme d’Or winning ANORA – which follows a turbulent relationship between a New York based exotic dancer and the son of a Russian oligarch.
• A special presentation and winners of Venice Film Festival’s Silver Lion, THE BRUTALIST, an epic tale of art, architecture, and ambition. Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce.
• Sundance Audience winner SUJO, when a cartel gunman is killed, he leaves behind Sujo, his beloved 4-year-old son. The shadow of violence surrounds Sujo during each stage of his life.
• Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn star in the Queensland Premiere of DADDIO. On her way home after landing in JFK, a woman engages in unexpectedly candid conversations about relationships, sex, power dynamics, loss, and vulnerability with her taxi driver.
• The Australian Premiere of THE PIANO LESSON directed by Malcolm Washington starring Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler. A family clash over an heirloom piano explodes. The battle between brother and sister — one hopes to sell it, the other refuses to give it up — unleashes haunting truths about how the past is perceived and who defines a family legacy.

Australian stories are vital to BIFF and the program proudly features Australian films and documentaries including;

• World Premiere Red Carpet Gala of THE RED at Dendy Outdoor Cinemas with cast and crew. In a remote Australian town, terror takes the form of Rippy, a giant Zombie Kangaroo.
• The World Premiere of THE LOST TIGER –- the first animated feature from Australia to be written and directed by an Indigenous woman and follows the story of Teo who unbeknownst to him is one of the last Thylacines.
• Join John Jarratt and Vince Colosimo on the Red-Carpet of the World Premiere of their new film DOUBLE OR NOTHING where two cousins embark on a high-energy race against the clock to find $50k when the mob discover one of them has been skimming from their Gold Coast workshop.
• The Australian Premiere of 150. Narrated by Osher Gunsberg, 150 follows Erchana Murray-Bartlett, a woman on a journey to break a Guinness world record by running 150 marathons over 150 days, while also trying to have some fun along the way.
• The award-winning THE MOOGAI. A First Nations psychological horror about a family terrorised by a child-stealing spirit.
• INSIDE, from Short Film Palm D’or Winner Charles Williams and starring Guy Pearce, Cosmo Jarvis and Toby Wallace, comes a gripping crime drama set in Australia’s most notorious prison.
• The Australian Premiere of the powerful documentary, SHARKO. Widely regarded as one of the greatest Rugby League players ever, Kiwi hard-man Mark Graham was feared off and, on the field, though few knew the real man or the devastation behind his success. SHARKO, portrays an intimate look at the life of a father, a son and the cost of greatness with Mark Graham, Wally Lewis and Graham Lowe.

BIFF will also deliver two curated shorts programs being Shorts from Home and Shorts from Afar rounding out the extraordinary cinematic journey.

Recognising how important short films are to filmmaking careers, in an exciting festival first, BIFF will screen a short film before every feature film in the program. This initiative will delight audiences in the art of short films while shining a spotlight on the incredibly talented filmmakers, introducing their short but powerful work to audiences.

This Halloween, the Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) is delivering a spine-chilling cinematic experience with a terrifying collection of horror films that promise to haunt and delight even the most hardened fans of the genre including CARNAGE FOR CHRISTMAS, I SAW THE TV GLOW, CUCKOO and THE ORGANIST.

BIFF celebrates more than films; presenting a series of relevant industry events designed to foster connections and support for the next generation of filmmakers including:

• The BIFF24 Networking Lunch brought to you by QUT and Screen Queensland, where industry professionals and emerging creatives can network on Saturday 2nd November at Easytimes.
• BIFF Trivia: On Saturday, November 2, head to Easytimes Brewery for a lively Trivia Night, where film lovers can test their cinema knowledge, enjoy the festival’s exclusive BIFF Beer, and compete for exciting prizes.
• BIFF Industry Day In partnership with Griffith University, don’t miss a full-day dedicated to developing up-and-coming filmmaking talent through workshops, panels, and mentorship sessions, all designed to inspire and empower the future of Queensland’s film industry

BIFF is supported by the Queensland Government through Founding and Principal Sponsor Screen Queensland, together with Screen Australia.

Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney highlighted the significance of the 30th annual Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) as the major screen event in Brisbane’s cultural calendar.

“Screen Queensland is proud to continue its support for BIFF through the Screen Culture Fund. BIFF 2024 promises to be a celebration of visionary storytelling, with a mix of emerging and seasoned talent. I encourage audiences to balance their cinema diet with local Australian and Queensland-made productions that feature in this year’s festival including Screen Queensland-supported feature film Audrey, made on the Gold Coast and directed by Natalie Bailey as well as the award-winning The Moogai by Queensland producer Mitch Stanley.”

Luke Wheatley, BIFF CEO says “BIFF 2024 is a celebration of the power of cinema to inspire, challenge, and entertain. This year’s program reflects the diversity of global storytelling, while also championing the incredible talent here in Australia. From red carpet galas to intimate documentaries, there’s something for everyone. We’re excited to bring such a dynamic and ambitious lineup to Brisbane’s audiences and look forward to sharing these powerful stories”

Tickets are now on sale for these incredible films!

BIFF 2024
24 October – 3 November2024
Various locations around Brisbane
www.biff.com.au

A Special Presentation of THE ROOM NEXT DOOR and THE BRUTALIST —winners of the prestigious Gold and Silver Lion awards—will be featured as part of the festival lineup.

A profound story of emotional estrangement, starring Tilda Swinton, Julianne Moore and John Turturro, THE ROOM NEXT DOOR examines the devastating fractures within a family. Martha’s already strained relationship with her mother reaches a breaking point when a misunderstanding drives them further apart. With his signature mastery of human complexity, Pedro Almodóvar delivers a deeply moving and visually arresting film in his first English-language project, which has garnered him the Gold Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

Step into the world of post-war ambition and intrigue with THE BRUTALIST, an epic tale of art, architecture, and ambition. Starring Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones and Guy Pearce, visionary architect László Toth and his wife Erzsébet flee war-torn Europe in 1947 to rebuild their lives and contribute to the birth of modern America. But as they embark on this transformative journey, their destinies take an unexpected turn through the influence of a mysterious and wealthy client.

A visually stunning exploration of power, creativity, and sacrifice, THE BRUTALIST has won international acclaim, including the Silver Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

BIFF is supported by the Queensland Government through Founding and Principal Sponsor Screen Queensland, together with Screen Australia.

BIFF 2024
24 October – 3 November 2024
Various locations around Brisbane
www.biff.com.au

BIFF is a carnival of cinema in Brisbane’s cultural heartland showcasing World and Australian premieres, exclusive preview screenings and filmmaking talent within Red Carpet screenings, industry panels, filmmaker Q&As, and networking opportunities.

BIFF proudly profiles our region to filmmakers and screen industry professionals on a national and global stage with a spotlight on the thriving industry in South East Queensland.

Brisbane International Film Festival 2023
26 October – 5 November 2023
Angelika Film Centre, Dendy Coorparoo, Dendy Portside, New Farm Six Cinema and Reading Cinema Newmarket
www.biff.com.au

In a brief but unforgettable career, Joyce Godenzi established herself as a consistently electric presence in a variety of film genres – most notably as a stylishly skilful star of some of Hong Kong’s premier action films.

Born in Hong Kong in 1965, Godenzi initially found fame upon winning the 1984 Miss Hong Kong pageant. She parlayed this newfound celebrity into an acting career with roles in Lam Ngai Kai’s The Ghost Snatchers 1986 and The Seventh Curse 1986, before her breakthrough role in Sammo Hung’s Vietnam War epic Eastern Condors 1987. Her commanding performance as the leader of a group of Cambodian guerrilla fighters earned her widespread critical acclaim and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards.

Godenzi was soon leading major action films – including She Shoots Straight 1990 and heist-thriller Licence to Steal 1990 – in which she was performing her own dangerous stunts and elaborate martial arts choreography. She even began to play against type, cast as a villainous spy in Tsui Hark’s historical adventure film The Raid 1991.

Then, as quickly as she rose, she disappeared from the screen. Disillusioned with the world of show business, she suddenly retired from acting in 1991. Since her retirement, Godenzi married her former director and co-star Sammo Hung and the two continue to live together in Hong Kong.

This program brings together four of Godenzi’s most memorable screen roles in an unprecedented showcase of the Hong Kong actor’s career. These films demonstrate her dynamism across a range of genres, revealing one of the most compelling screen presences of her era.

Program curated by Robert Hughes, Australian Cinémathèque.

The Flying Fists of Joyce Godenzi
28 October – 6 November 2022
GOMA, Brisbane
www.qagoma.qld.gov.au