The 33^rd annual Melbourne Queer Film Festival opens November 9 with the provocation ‘Rewind to Fast Forward’, with this year’s program celebrating the indisputable existence of LGBTQIA+ peoples throughout history.

Audiences can expect a selection of local and international drama, comedy, documentary, and everything in between. The program features 50 feature films and 17 documentaries, 11 short film packages, 3 world premieres, 26 Australian premieres and 19 Victorian premieres.

MQFF will launch with the Opening Night screening of the Australian premiere of I Love You, Beksman, a Filipinx rom-com.

The Centrepiece Presentation is the Victorian premiere of Marinette, which tells the story of Marinette Pichon, one of the world’s most influential women’s soccer players and a French lesbian icon. The screening takes place at Village Cinemas Jam Factory and will be followed by celebrations at Roc’s Bar & Kitchen.

The festival closes Australian premiere of Solo (2023, Canada), a drag-drama about skilled make-up artist, Simon (rising star Théodore Pellerin) who is a mainstay by night of Montreal’s exuberant drag scene.

MQFF venue partners include The Astor Theatre, Palace Cinemas – The Kino, RMIT: The Capitol, Village Cinemas Jam Factory, Cinema Nova, and the Victorian Pride Centre Rooftop, where MQFF will be holding an outdoor cinema.