ACMI

Opening Night: Private Desert, 2021

Chrissy Judy, 2022

A tale in two parts – lovers who’ve not met, separated by miles of desert – a journey of transcendence, of knowing one’s true desires. Set against a backdrop of provincial conservatism in contemporary Brazil, Private Desert is a journey of the heart that will change Sara and Daniel forever.

Sessions is proudly sponsored by ME Bank

Every New York drag queen needs a good Chrissy. So, when Judy’s best friend and drag sister suddenly couples off and moves away, hot-mess Judy must reinvent himself — else risk becoming irrelevant both onstage and off.

Girl Picture, 2022

In From The Side, 2022

Three young women whose chance meeting defies the persistent darkness of Finland’s winter. Fusing dreams, reality, friendship and relationships, Girl Picture follows these women as they struggle to make sense of life and sexuality

Following a drunken encounter, two committed men from a cash-strapped gay rugby club sleepwalk into an adulterous encounter. The two must conceal their growing entanglement else risk destroying the club they love.

Trans-Australiana – Shorts Package

Elephant, 2022

These three Australian documentary shorts, Who I Am (Naomi Ball), The Dreamlife of Georgie Stone (Maya Newell) and The Accidental Archivist (Tracey Spring), bring into focus the lives of three very different trans and non-binary protagonists.

Bartek runs a small horse farm in the mountains in Poland, and was forced to become head of the family when his father left, and his mother fell apart. When their neighbour dies and his handsome son Dawid comes back to the village for the funeral, Bartek becomes fascinated by this free-spirited young man.

Wet Sand, 2021

Cop Secret, 2021

Upon Eliko’s death, his granddaughter Moe begins organising his funeral. However, in cataloguing his eulogy, she’s confronted with stories about his past relationships, and the hidden truth of his sexuality. Meanwhile, she develops romantic feelings for the local café owner Fleshka.

After denying his own feelings for years, a tough-as-nails detective can’t help but fall for his new hot-as-hell partner. However, things take a strange turn when investigating a string of violent robberies in which nothing was stolen.

Sleep With Me, 2022

Hooking Up – Shorts Package

This sweet and upbeat female-led love story from director Samantha Lee (Maybe Tomorrow; Bille and Emma) tracks the ‘meet cute’ between Luna, a girl suffering from a rare sleep disorder, and Harry, a DJ who hosts a late-night radio show.

Fleeting gay connections, unforgettable bonds and the push-pull of lust, these seven Australian and international short films showcase the windy roads that our desires can take us.

Rainbow Families Screening: Mini-Zlatan and Uncle Darling, 2022

Black As U R, 2022

A fantastically fun film for all ages, this screening is a dedicated space for rambunctious rainbow families — queer kids, queer parents and even your favourite guncle. Bring the whole family to this very special screening.

In this highly incendiary documentary, filmmaker Michael Rice interweaves contemporary racial politics with an autobiographical look into his own upbringing in the American south. In doing so, he poignantly unearths the queerphobia prevalent in many black communities.

The Accidental Archivist: In Conversation with Julie Peters

All Man: The International Male Story, 2021

The journey of self-discovery for young queer people has its own complexities in the age of social media but what did that look like for queer people when those stories and role models weren’t readily available? Join Trans activist and archivist, Julie Peters, in intimate conversation with Transgender Victoria’s General Manager, Son Vivienne.

This is a free event and bookings are essential:

This documentary tracks three decades of the catalogue’s unlikely but lasting impact on fashion, masculinity, and sexuality in America. This character-driven documentary crafts a portrait of outsiders who would come to change the way men look — at themselves, at each other, and at the world staring back.

Young & Queer – Shorts Package

Horseplay, 2022

Finding something that fits you perfectly, body and soul, for the first time; the intimacy of inhabiting a private world with the person who understands you best. Young & Queer is dedicated to short films by the next generation of queer storytellers.

In the middle of the Argentine summer, a group of young men spend a few days lapping up rays and partying. But when subtle acts of violence permeate the group, an illicit love triangle blooms between a homophobe, a gay man and a closeted bisexual

The Queer Life: Docos – Shorts Package

Joyland, 2022

These 2022 documentary short films explore the vibrancy and heart that beats within the Queer experience. Tracking the real lives of fully fledged queers, these shorts call for the acceptance and celebration of our diverse international community.

Based on the short Darling (winner of the Best International Short at MQFF 2021) Joyland follows the Ranas, a happily patriarchal joint family, as their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre where he falls for an ambitious trans starlet.

Laugh Out Proud! – Shorts Package

The Alexander Ball + Victorian Queens

Join us for MQFF32’s greatest hits of queer comedy! These seven side-splitting shorts will have you gasping between giggles, clutching your popcorn as they dig into topics that are a little naughty.

These two wonderful Australian shorts showcase the way the queer community embraces diversity, creating inclusive spaces for all.

Esther Newton Made Me Gay, 2022

Eismayer, 2022

This documentary traces the life and times of renowned cultural anthropologist Esther Newton. Throughout her career, Esther was a pioneer who challenged the status quo around gender, sexuality and anthropological methods.

Closeted Sergeant Major Eismayer is infamous for being the toughest training officer in the Austrian Armed Forces. But when he starts to fall in love with Falak, a newbie who unashamedly embraces his homosexuality, Eismayer is shaken to the core.

Youtopia, 2022

The Blue Caftan, 2022

Combining narrative storytelling with original comedic music numbers, Youtopia follows the inadvertent formation of a hipster cult. But when members start to disappear, the leader is confronted with the knowledge that her journey of self-discovery may trigger the end of civilisation as she knows it.

Halim and Mina run a traditional caftan store in one of Morocco’s oldest medinas. In order to keep up with the demands of their customers, they hire Youssef, who is dedicated to learning the art of embroidery and tailoring from Halim. But is their relationship purely professional?

Ultraviolette and the Blood-spitters Gang, 2021

Breaking the Ice, 2022

After the death of his grandmother Emma, Robin Hunzinger and his mother Claudie found a carefully preserved collection of letters that Emma received from a girl called Marcelle. As this evocative and tender documentary reveals, Marcelle and Emma were lovers in the mid-1920s.

20-something Mira escapes the pressures of her family’s vineyard by playing ice hockey. But when new player Theresa joins the team, Mira’s narrow worldview is challenged, and romantic sparks lead to life-changing nights on the streets of Vienna.

Wandering Heart, 2021

Flipping the Channels: Bisexual Representation in TV from the 70s to 90s

50-year-old Santiago is an emotionally broken man who seems to have no axis. Completely adrift in his personal life, he lives with his teenage daughter. What seems to be a chaotic summer between Argentina and Brazil ends up a turning point in their lives and in their relationship.

With a focus on the heyday of landmark television, the discussion will look at the efforts of writers, producers and filmic creatives in bringing bisexual visibility to the small screen. Featuring many clips and stills, this will be an enlightening look at on-screen representation of bisexuality.

You Can Live Forever, 2022

So Damn Easy Going, 2022

In the early ’90s, Jaime, a gay teen, is sent to live with her relatives, devout Jehovah’s Witnesses, after the death of her father. There, Jaime makes an unexpected connection with Marike, the daughter of a prominent Witness Elder. Instantly drawn to each other, they begin a secret, unspoken romance.

Unable to access ADHD medication, Joanna is re-learning to manage her world. As she wades through the highs and lows, she meets Audrey, who ignites new passion and Joanna’s journey to knowing herself.

All My Friends Are Racist, 2021

Maybe Someday, 2022

The hottest BFFs in bustling Brisvegas, Casey and Belle live a DEADLY life together — that is until they’re cancelled for calling out racism. While Belle is convinced it’s the end of their social life, Casey sees an opportunity: revolution. Join us after the screening for a panel discussion called Decolonizing Australian Comedy.

Sessions is proudly sponsored by Herbert Smith Freehills

After separating from their wife, Jay, a 40-something photographer, attempts to move across the country to start their life over again. Along the way, Jay takes a detour, staying with their high school best friend, whom they once loved.

Pink Flamingos, 1972

GAY-AS-F! – Shorts Package

50th YEAR ANNIVERSARY. You’ll be gagging and gasping as the iconic Divine travels across the outskirts of Maryland in her quest to be crowned “the filthiest person alive” — a challenge that is not only met but surpassed in its jaw-dropping finale.

A showcase of award-winning local and international gay shorts, these 8 films will transport you to unexpected and surprising places. Your heart aflutter — you’ll be left gagging for more!

Australian Shorts and Awards

Gateways Grind, 2021

Join us to celebrate the brightest and best Australian queer filmmakers. MQFF’s Australian Shorts & Awards highlight the richness of storytelling and the breadth of original talent working in Australia today. MQFF and the City of Melbourne are proud to present this selection of shorts.

Gateways Grind is the first documentary about the most iconic lesbian bar in the world, Gateways Club. Hearing the inside stories from the women who were there (and those who wished they were), the legacy and vibrancy of this seminal lesbian space live on.

Where Butterflies Don’t Fly, 2022

GRRRLS! – Shorts Package

An openly gay teen, and his teacher, who is gay but keeps his sexuality under wraps, rarely encounter one another outside of school. However, when the pair become trapped in a huge cave during a school excursion, they begin to form an unexpected bond.

Fleeting love, unbridled lust, U-Haul relationships, utopian sex and the first blush of desire. These 8 lesbian shorts will leave you swooning and lamenting for that one that got away.

Lonesome, 2022

Besties, 2022

Casey, a country boy on the run from a small-town scandal, finds himself down and out in Sydney’s big smoke. There he meets Tib, a young city queer, struggling with his own past.

Rebellious Nedjma spends the summer chilling with her squad. But when Zina, the cousin of her rival, rocks up in town, Nedjma must choose between gang life and love. Besties is a classic tale of lust and rivalry set in modern Paris.

Bros, 2022

Stories from the Asia Pacific – Shorts Package

From the devilish mind of Billy Eichner, and the hitmaking brilliance of filmmakers Nicholas Stoller and Judd Apatow, comes Bros, a smart and swoony semi-romantic comedy about how damn hard it is to find another tolerable human being to go through life with.

Showcasing queer stories from the Asia Pacific, this collection of short films includes work from India, Pakistan, South Korea and Indonesia. Please help us celebrate the longstanding partnerships MQFF has nurtured with queer film festivals around the region.

All About Lesbians – Shorts Package

8 Years, 2021

This fierce, funny and romantic collection of 6 international shorts is a must-see slice of Lesbian life — a beautiful celebration of women both in front of and behind the camera.

8 Years explores the relationship of Jose and David — past lovers who reunite on the island where they first met. Will the island’s spirit be the flame that reignites their relationship? Or will their presence there reveal to Jose a troubling past, romanticised in the waters of time?