by Dov Kornits
“I am so happy we are ‘rebooting the BIFF!’ – Brisbane’s iconic and popular world film festival with an international reputation for showcasing new and emergent talent, award-winners from the circuit and crowd-pleasers from across the globe. We will continue BIFF’s long legacy of presenting films that expand our hearts and minds, that educate us about our region and closest neighbours, that comment on what cinema is and can be. The 23rd edition of BIFF provides an important platform for filmmakers to present their artistic responses to what is happening in their worlds. I look forward to engaging with industry in a meaningful way and to contribute to the growth of this vibrant creative arts sector. As a Brissie girl I am happy to play a part in this celebratory reboot.”
That’s Maxine Williamson, who has taken on co-director duties of BIFF after helming the Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, which took over as Brisbane’s only major film festival in 2014.
The Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival [BAPFF], which ran alongside the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and an initiative of Brisbane Marketing, was an attempt to align the Queensland capital city with the Asian community and market, however, poor attendance, anecdotally due to the obscure programming, had BAPFF canned earlier this year, leaving Brisbane without a major film fest.
But now, through the support of Screen Queensland and Palace Cinemas, a phoenix has risen.
The Brisbane International Film Festival will be held from August 17 – September 3, co-directed by experienced film curator Richard Sowada and Maxine Williamson, who has stepped down as Film Director of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.
“I haven’t seen a period of more change, excitement and challenge in the film industry than in the last 18months” says BIFF Co-Director Richard Sowada. “A breaking down of creative and business territoriality and a real sense of political and artistic immediacy has changed the face of what a festival needs to be and what audiences expect from cinema. Being part of the new BIFF team and bringing that freshness, excitement and creative propulsion to Brisbane in a reinvigorated event is thrilling for me – and I hope for audiences.”
“It is envisioned that the new BIFF will be an annual event,” said Screen Queensland’s Tracy Vieira. “Screen Queensland’s investment, along with the festival’s solid partnership with Palace Cinemas, will help to ensure the 2017 event is a success, and will pave the way for future BIFFS.”
The 2017 program will screen around 60 international and Australian films and will include collaborations with existing Queensland screen culture organisations including the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), a Queensland Short Film Competition, a free family event, national and international guests, talks, panels and seminars.
For more information head to www.biff.net.au
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