After a sell-out festival last year, the WA AIDS Council is screening a second queer film festival at The Backlot Cinema in West Perth 13 – 21 September.

These are films that won’t be seen anywhere else in Perth. Festival Director Mark Reid promises that the nine feature films and 21 short films from all over the world will be thought provoking. He said that rather than happy ever after films, the festival showcases the depth of lived experiences that are happening for GLBTI people around the world.

The opening film Discreet certainly provoked a lot of discussion when it previewed. This American film, directed by Travis Matthews, weaves together four narratives. While a plastic covered body floats down a river, a troubled man living out of his van is trying to come to terms with his past, a man with dementia lives alone on an isolated property and the calm meditative voice of Mandy at Gentle Rhythms tries to calm us as the disturbing story unfolds.     

No explanation can do this film justice. It is low budget, it is disjointed and it is confronting … but it is a powerful personal story, beautifully shot and expertly edited for maximum impact.

The Backlot is a boutique cinema, so limited tickets are available for each film. Get out your diary, get your friends together and grab your tickets. Your ticket also gets you free entry into Connections and a glass of bubbles after each screening.

This year’s festival also has a free ‘satellite screening’ of the film Velociraptor at Curtin University on Tuesday 19 September. This Australian premiere is a Mexican film about sexual awakening, friendship and an apocalypse.

The Perth International Queer Film Festival runs from Wednesday 13th – Thursday 21st September. For more information head to waaids.com

Lezly Herbert