New partnership promises cinematic extravaganza

The Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) will be a key destination for this year’s Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) from 13 to 24 November in a new partnership announced today by Arts Minister Ian Walker.

BIFF and GOMA will join forces to showcase multi-award winning films and co-curate special film presentations at GOMA’s state-of-the-art Australian Cinèmathèque in the Cultural Precinct at South Bank.

Mr Walker said it would include a special retrospective of Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky who has been described as one of the great film directors of all time.

“The collaboration between two of Queensland’s top arts organisations will result in a powerful film festival that continues to build the Cultural Precinct’s reputation as a major event destination,” Mr Walker said.

“The Festival has something for all lovers of cinema and I’m very pleased that it continues to cater for families.”

The partnership kicks off with a free family event, in collaboration with DISNEY, to screen the recently-restored classic and Academy Award® winning film Who Framed Roger Rabbit at the Cultural Precinct’s Maiwar Green on Saturday 12 October.

Screen Queensland CEO Bryan Lowe said BIFF would offer some of the best films from around the world with more than 60 film screenings showcased at the Gallery.  

“We are very excited to establish this 2013 partnership with GOMA and look forward to working together on many more collaborations,” Mr Lowe said.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said it was a perfect fit for the Gallery, as Queensland’s premier visual arts institution, to partner with the state’s flagship film festival.

“The Gallery’s Australian Cinémathèque presents retrospective and thematic film programs and exhibitions and we’re delighted to work with BIFF to develop a series of screenings that will do just that,” Mr Saines said.

BIFF commences with BIFF GenNext (14 to 20 October), a free program specifically for school age children.

Brisbane International Film Festival, now in its 22^nd year, is presented by Screen Queensland.

The full BIFF program will be announced in October:  www.biff.com.au

[ENDS] 21 August 2013
Media contact: Alex Bernard            0417 252 563