Did someone say diverse and inclusive representation? Geelong Pride Film Festival you can count me in!
Geelong Pride Film Festival is back for its second year in 2019 and it’s bigger and prouder than ever. Because you, the beautiful people of Geelong sold out every dang film last year, the festival has had to upsize. It will now take place across both the Pivotonian Theatre and Courthouse Youth Arts from 5th – 7th April.
LGBTIQA+ films have rightfully become more welcomed into mainstream culture over recent years. Even the Oscars, an award show outed for its lack of diversity, showcased its largest ever number of Queer nominations this year. With the success of films like Green Book, The Favourite and Bohemian Rhapsody showcasing unashamedly Queer stories (some more than others *cough* Bohemian Rhapsody *cough*) it seems that the mainstream film industry has finally caught up, delivering a more accurate and inclusive representation of people and their remarkable stories.
Sponsored by locally based organisations Deakin University, WorkSafe Victoria and Piano Bar Geelong, the festival is a celebration of contemporary and classic LGBTIQA+ film and the unique stories that inspire them. Most sessions are sold out or close to selling out so make sure you get in quick. If you’re struggling to decide on a film to check out there are still tickets available for a few films which I have conveniently mentioned for you below (Tips hat).
Transmilitary
Saturday 6 April 12:00 pm – Courthouse Youth Arts
The U.S. military is notably the largest transgender employer in the U.S. with around 10-15,000 transgender people serving. However, those serving must carefully conceal their gender identities because military policies ban their service. Transmilitary is a brave story of four individuals who risk everything by coming out as transgender to the Pentagon in hopes of attaining the equal right to serve. The ban was lifted in 2016, but with President Trump trying to reinstate it, their future is uncertain. If you attend this film you’re also in for a treat because following the screening is a special Q&A session with the co-founder of Transgender Victoria Sally Goldner AM.
Mario
Saturday 6 April 7:30 pm – Pivotonian Cinema
Presented in collaboration with the Geelong Cats Pride Supporter Group, Mario is Swiss German film centred around Leon, a talented striker from a soccer team in Germany. Arriving at his new Swiss club Leon attracts attention and suspicion from his teammates, in particular, his assigned roommate Mario. The pair develop an intense romantic bond and have to deal with the threat of risking everything they have worked for in the conservative, image-conscious world of professional sports. This issue dealt with by many LGBTIQA+ sportspeople in Australia regularly with many AFL and AFLW players proudly out as homosexual.
I believe it’s important now, more than ever to check some privilege and show up for communities that feel marginalised by society. Everybody deserves the right to feel included and visible within society and the Geelong Pride Film Festival is your opportunity to make sure you let that be known.
I mean, being represented poorly or even excluded because of who you love is so 2016.
To grab tickets for the Geelong Pride Film festival check out their website.
Geelong Pride Film Festival Program
Opening Night: Tucked Thomas Banks’ Quest for Love
Friday 5 April at 7pm – Pivotonian Cinema
Transmilitary + Q&A
Saturday 6 April at 12pm – Courthouse Youth Arts
Australian Shorts
Saturday 6 April at 3pm – Pivotonian Cinema
Rafiki
Saturday 6 April at 5pm – Pivotonian Cinema
Mario
Saturday 6 April at 7:30pm – Pivotonian Cinema
Dykes, Camera Action!
Sunday 7 April at 11:30am – Pivotonian Cinema
Mapplethorpe
Sunday 7 April at 1:30pm – Pivotonian Cinema
Finale – Wild Nights with Emily + Ginger
Sunday 7 April at 4pm – Pivotonian Cinema
Written by Jordyn Workman