Campaspe Shire Council is excited to be bringing one of Victoria's iconic film festivals to local audiences, with a Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) regional satellite event coming to Echuca's Paramount Theatre on 20 June.
The 90-minute screening will feature seven short films from established and emerging Australian filmmakers. The films - Sparkles; Hold Still; Pineapple; The Dysphoria; The Pansy of Pickadee; While We Still Have Time; and Welcome to the Cyber Rodeo – cover a range of genres from drama to comedy and even horror, and shine a light on the richness, complexity and brilliance of queer Australian lives.
Now in its 36th year, the MQFF is Australia's oldest and largest queer film festival.
Campaspe Shire Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell said the festival was not only an internationally recognised showcase of contemporary queer cinema from Australia and around the world, but also an opportunity to promote understanding and acceptance within our communities through the experience of shared stories.
"The Melbourne Queer Film Festival is an important platform for the celebration of queer cinema and also helps to promote advocacy and visibility for our queer community members," he said.
"Including about 140 feature films, documentaries and short films, the festival offers a kaleidoscope of opportunities to enjoy the films as well as take part in discussions and other events.
"The Melbourne festival attracts tens of thousands of festival-goers each year – and although our portion of the festival is limited to just the one event, the short-film format will allow the audience to explore the work of seven filmmakers in one sitting - and we're hopeful that many community members will embrace this opportunity to experience queer cinema," Cr Mackrell said.
"Don't miss the chance to be entertained and to celebrate the diversity that exists within our Campaspe communities."
The collection of short films (rated MA15+) will be screened at Echuca's Paramount Theatre on 20 June from 5pm-6.30pm. Tickets are just $10 per person; bookings are essential and can be made at the theatre or online at www.echucaparamount.com
