The 2024 Melbourne Queen Film Festival is about to get into full swing with the release of its full schedule including award-winning films, shorts make up an eclectic collection of local and international features that make up this years theme of Formative Sound and Vision.
This year the festival has 42 features and 19 documentaries. The opening night will feature the Melbourne premiere of the Canadian documentary Any Other Way : The Jackie Shane Story. From the producers of the Emmy Award-winning Hip-Hop Evolution (2016) comes this stirring, Frameline “Out in the Silence Award” winning documentary which shares the extraordinary story of a pioneering Black trans performer of exceptional talent and stage presence. Jackie Shane, a rising star in 1950s Nashville became a sensation in ‘60s Toronto before disappearing mysteriously from public view. The centrepiece screening is Gondola, which tells the story of Iva and Nino, cable car attendants each assigned to an orange cabin suspended high above the Caucasus Mountains, both devising ever more ingenious ways to advance their mid-air flirtations with one another. Gondola melds an Amélie-like sensibility and stunning cinematography to winsome music from Malcolm Arison and Icelandic singer-songwriter Sóley.
Closing out the festival is Duino, Argentinian actor Juan Pablo Di Pace (The Mattachine Family and Mamma Mia) stars in this semi-autobiographical film that also marks his directorial feature debut, alongside co-writer/director Andrés Pepe Estrada. Di Pace plays Matías, a filmmaker yearning for the unrequited love of Alexander (Oscar Morgan), the blazingly beautiful teen he fell head over heels for many years ago while studying on Italy’s luscious Adriatic Coast.
Other highlights of the festival include a screening of local feature In The Room Where He Waits, one of this years best (you can read our review here) Elliot Page debuts his first film as a trans man in a leading role Close To You this film draws from Page’s lived experience. As Sam reconnects with his family and an old flame, the film tenderly examines the complexities of coming home and embracing one’s true self. Following its premiere at SXSW 2023, National Anthem (2023, USA) – Melbourne premiere comes to MQFF, telling the story of 21-year-old Dylan who lives an isolated life of routine in rural New Mexico, working odd construction jobs. He accepts a gig working at House of Splendor, a queer ranch a little further out than normal. There he meets the luminous Sky (Eve Lindley) and a diverse group of queer folk who provide him with the space and freedom to explore parts of himself he hasn’t yet found.
The full MQFF program is online here with Film passes including the ultimate All-In-Pass alongside general tickets are now available to purchase. The 11 day festival is Australia’s biggest and longest-running queer film festival and is screening from November 14-24 across cinemas in Melbourne including Cinema Nova, Palace Cinemas Como, ACMI and The Capitol.
We will continue to bring you coverage of the festival.
