Entries are now open for the Brisbane International Film Festival 2021, with the 27th festival to be held in cinemas across the River City from 21 – 31 October 2021.
With a fresh program team ringing in a new era for BIFF, the 2021 festival will see excellence in programming combined with unforgettable events and a renewed focus on industry and education.
Submissions are now open in two categories – feature films and shorts films – and BIFF welcomes submissions across all genres and from all corners of the world.
Festival Director Emily Avila said with international borders currently closed, the power of cinema to transport audiences was more potent than ever.
“Our programming team is seeking films that are bold, diverse, immersive and unforgettable – work that is both thought-provoking and creatively ambitious,” Avila said.
“More so than any other time in recent history, films programmed at BIFF will also be portals for us to visit regions of the world that are currently beyond our reach, and we look forward to considering works that connect Brisbane to our wider world through the shared cinema experience.”
Avila said by bringing conversation to the fore, BIFF 2021 will highlight the greatest new strokes in international cinema alongside a celebration of the movie experience and local creatives.
“For 11 days in October, Brisbane will welcome filmmakers and audiences from all over Australia, showcasing the best parts of our subtropical city for Queensland’s biggest and most fantastic film event,” Avila said.
“BIFF will be a must-attend for new filmmakers in particular, with a comprehensive program of events geared towards connecting emerging talent with the broader Australian industry.”
BIFF 2021 is run by organising body Film Fantastic and supported by Founding and Principal Sponsor, Screen Queensland.
Screen Queensland CEO Kylie Munnich said she encourages Queenslanders to submit their productions into the nationally renowned festival.
“We support film festivals because they play a central role in the ecosystem of our industry by providing a launchpad for filmmakers to showcase their talent and find an audience, whatever their career stage or where they live in the state,” Munnich said.
“The Queensland screen industry is booming with local, interstate and international production, which creates huge opportunities for creatives to work in an industry they love.
“Your submission into BIFF could ignite further career opportunities in our dynamic and active local screen sector.”
Films selected for the 2021 program will also be eligible for a number of new awards, to be announced in the lead up to the festival.
Submissions close Friday 30 July 2021. All submissions are via FilmFreeway.
BIFF strongly encourages submissions from filmmakers who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, female, LGBTQIA+, living with disability, regionally-based and culturally and linguistically diverse.
Brisbane International Film Festival 2021
1 – 31 October 2021
Various locations around Brisbane
www.biff.com.au
