BIFFDOCS awards $25,000 to one
of 19 documentaries making their Australian premiere at the Brisbane festival.
Screen Queensland head of screen culture and BIFF director Richard
Moore said BIFFDOCs is an opportunity for audiences to see documentaries they
wouldn’t otherwise be able to see.
“The qualities we are looking for are documentaries that will shock,
entertain and engage,” Mr Moore said.
“People are in love with docos and film festivals are the place to see
them.”
Queensland Minister for Arts Rachel Nolan said the documentaries
premiering at the festival are a remarkable collection from around the world.
“It’s worth travelling to attend the festival just for this collection
alone, which has attracted films that are both surprising, entertaining and
thought provoking,” Ms Nolan said.
The diversity of the documentaries includes imprisoned Iranian
dissident Jafar Panahi’s film “This Is Not A Film” known for being shot on an
iPhone and smuggled out of Iran inside a cake.
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| Detained Iranian film-maker Jafar Panahi |
Festival director Moore said the documentaries also include local and
entertaining issues ranging from the “schism” in the Brisbane Catholic Church
to the story of the Kings of Leon in “Talihina Sky”.
“We’re premiering that [Talihina Sky] two days before they [Kings of Leon]
play in Brisbane and ... the Kings of Leon are going to come along to the
screening,” Mr Moore said.
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| Band Kings of Leon in Talihina Sky |
Cinesparks brings film diversity
to youth
Cinesparks is another program starting next week in the lead up to BIFF showing films and
short productions aimed primarily at school students.
Former BIFF volunteer and Cinesparks participant Robert Hughes said the
programs bring diversity and culture the city wouldn’t normally have.
“I think it’s one of the most important cultural events in not only
Brisbane theatre but Australian theatre,’ Mr Hughes said.
“It’s important for young people to get involved with arts and creative
experiences.”
The films are played during school hours designed for field trips and
cost $5 each for students.
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| Among Wolves (Ages 14+) playing during Cinesparks |
Tribal Theatre to be sold
Despite being one of the main venues for BIFF the Tribal Theatre is to be sold after the BIFF program finishes
despite being open less than two years.
Former BIFF volunteer Mr Hughes said the closing is incredibly
disappointing.
“It’s been one of the most consistently innovative and interesting
cinemas we’ve had in Brisbane,” Mr Hughes said.
BIFF director Richard Moore said he has no problem selling tickets to
films like those shown at the Tribal Theatre.
“The problem with the actual cinema scene here in Brisbane is really
one of capacity,” Mr Moore said.
The locations for BIFF in 2011 are the Tribal Theatre and Palace
Cinemas at Barracks and Centro.
BIFF 2011 Locations Enlarge Here
The full BIFF program of films outside of the BIFFDOCS program will be announced on Monday October 10.
BIFF runs from November 3 to 13 and the Cinesparks program begins
Monday next week running until Friday October 14.
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