BIFF 2018 is all wrapped up, across 11 days of award-winning and first-look films alongside acclaimed titles by established and emerging directors from Australia and the world, the Brisbane International Film Festival shone a spotlight on 100 features, documentaries and shorts, with curated programs celebrating trends from Iran, Asia and Africa.

We opened with the Queensland premiere of Celeste 2018, a compelling North Queensland love story directed by Brisbane’s Ben Hackworth. One of the many highlights was the powerful and timely documentary Wik vs Queensland 2018, which screened alongside a panel of distinguished guests who were involved in the momentous land rights decision in 1996.

Festival Patron Bruce Beresford curated a selection of his favourite films, screening alongside career highlights, and we brought you a number of recently restored features and beloved Australian classics. The Festival experience came to life with dynamic events including performances, classic silent films with live scores, and industry led workshops and discussions.

Sit back and relive some of the excitement of the 2018 Brisbane International Film Festival with a range of conversations and panel discussions presented in conjunction with the film screenings.

We look forward to seeing you back in 2019 with BIFF returning from 3 – 13 October.

Live music and film: The Cameraman The Cameraman 1928 remains one of Buster Keaton’s finest films, a towering achievement of action choreography and silent comedy. The film screened with a new live score on the Gallery’s 1929 Wurlitzer organ by David Bailey, who brought his jazz sensibilities to this remarkable film.

Live music and film: Teijito This world premiere performance celebrated the film soundtracks of the late composer Teiji Ito, with researcher and musician Michiko Ogawa transcribing Ito’s original recordings in detail, and assembled a group of musicians to realise a world first live performance of some of Ito’s most well-known film scores with screenings of 16mm films.

Live music and film: The Passion of Joan of Arc Carl Theodore Dreyer’s monumental silent masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc 1928 was presented on 35mm film print with a live score composed and performed by Brisbane post-rock band hazards of swimming naked.

Bruce Beresford and Sue Milliken discuss ‘Ladies in Black’ 2018

BIFF 2018 Patrons, Director Bruce Beresford and Producer Sue Milliken AO, discuss their long history of collaborating on films such as ‘The Fringe Dwellers’ 1986, ‘Black Robe’ 1991 and most recently ‘Ladies in Black’ 2018, as well as their varied experiences in the mercurial world of filmmaking. Chaired by Cathy Van Extel, Radio National Breakfast Journalist/Producer.

Li Cunxin and Bruce Beresford discuss ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ 2009

Director and BIFF 2018 Patron Bruce Beresford discusses the challenges of making the autobiographical film ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ 2009 with Li Cunxin, dancer and subject of the film, and the Artistic Director of Queensland Ballet for the first time. Chaired by BIFF 2018 Patron and acclaimed producer Sue Milliken AO.

‘Wik vs Queensland’ 2018 panel discussion

Journalist Kerry O’Brien and a distinguished panel of guests including lawyer and land rights activist Noel Pearson, Traditional Owners Fiona Wirrer-George Oonchunyung and Janine Chevathun, filmmaker Dean Gibson, and Adrian Duffy QC discuss ‘Wik vs Queensland’ 2018 and the ongoing reverberations of this extraordinary moment in Australian history.

‘Jirga’ 2018 panel discussion

Discussing ‘Jirga’ 2018, Director Benjamin Gilmour, Actor Sam Smith and Producer John Maynard talk about the dangerous and challenging journey when they were left stranded in Pakistan because their local financier pulled out at the last moment. Chaired by Samantha Laidlaw, Vice President of Content, Screen Queensland.

Miranda Tapsell and Rosemary Blight discuss ‘The Sapphires’ 2012

Writer and actor Miranda Tapsell and producer Rosemary Blight discuss ‘The Sapphires’ 2012, working together on the film and share their insights into their latest project ‘Top End Wedding’ 2018, directed by Wayne Blair. Chaired by Actor and writer Steven Oliver.

Talking Film: Cinematic Storytelling – Colour and Light

In a discussion inspired by renowned artist James Turrell’s architectural light commission ‘Night Life’ 2018 at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), a panel of cinematographers and designers explore the role of light and colour and its importance in the creation of story and space. Panel chair and cinematographer Erika Addis, alongside cinematographers Mark Wareham, ACS and Nicola Daley, ACS and architect and design lecturer Marissa Lindquist discuss how their practices consider colour and light to build emotion and mood.’Night Life’ illuminates GOMA from within through shifts in tempo, hue and intensity of colour. The architectural light installation sequence runs daily from sunset to midnight.

Talking Film: Finding your audience

In an ever-expanding multi-platform environment, filmmakers are embracing the opportunity to move between traditional platforms of film and television and online spaces. The freedom to create bespoke content for a growing international audience is not without its challenges.

Talking Film: Funding the gap

Be it a multi-million dollar feature or an online web series, the question of how to fund projects remains a constant issue for creatives. This panel brings together industry leaders from across the country to share their expertise in navigating the complexities of funding, from traditional pathways to emerging platforms. Chaired by Tracey Vieira (CEO, Screen Queensland) the panel features BIFF Festival Patron Sue Milliken AO (producer ‘Ladies in Black’ 2018), producer Rosemary Blight (‘The Sapphires’ 2012, ‘Top End Wedding’ 2018), filmmaker Priscilla Cameron (‘The Butterfly Tree’ 2017), producer and director Enzo Tedeschi (‘The Tunnel’ 2011 and ‘Event Zero’ 2017) and XYZ Films sales agent Simon de Bruyn.

Explore the Australian Cinémathèque’s ongoing program / Delve into our current and past programs

QAGOMA is the only Australian art gallery with purpose-built facilities dedicated to film and the moving image. The Australian Cinémathèque provides an ongoing program of film and video that you’re unlikely to see elsewhere, offering a rich and diverse experience of the moving image, showcasing the work of influential filmmakers and international cinema, rare 35mm prints, recent restorations and silent films with live musical accompaniment.

Artistic Director for BIFF 2018 is Amanda Slack-Smith, Curatorial Manager of QAGOMA’s Australian Cinémathèque.

The festival is supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland in association with the Australian Federal Government through Screen Australia.

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