Bendigo Queer Film Festival (BQFF) is now in its eighth year. We are very proud to be one of the few regional centres Australia wide which hosts its very own film festival celebrating the genre queer. It is the only one in regional Victoria and one of three queer film festivals to be held in a regional Australian city.
The BQFF is about providing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people, the general community living in Central Victoria and those who visit the region, with cultural and artistic opportunities.
Held over a weekend the festival presents high quality Australian and International short and feature length films. To cater for our audience tastes we offer features and short film packages tailored to male and female patrons as well as a feature and shorts package with general appeal. BQFF is indebted to the Melbourne Queer Film Festival for curating the film selection on our behalf and for their assistance in organising the festival.
‘Queer Country’ is an outstanding exhibition of visual art by regional artists. The exhibition runs alongside the festival for the weekend.
Friends Alike of Bendigo (FAB), our local LGBTI social support group, host the Opening Night Party. An infamous evening of eclectic dance grooves, entertainment and a chance to catch up with friends or make new ones.
Each year a high profile member of the LGBTI community is approached to be patron of BQFF. As patron they officially open the festival and present an oratory at the Patron’s Breakfast held in the grand dining room of the historical Shamrock Hotel. Past patrons have included Judy Small, Rodney Croome, Sue-Ann Post, Anton Enus and Kristy Edmunds.
Bendigo Queer Film Festival is recognised as a significant event by the LGBTI community and by the City of Greater Bendigo. We are indebted to the businesses which support the festival through sponsorship or advertisement.
The festival is the responsibility of a remarkable, hardworking board of volunteers.
BQFF Convener