Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk today announced the first of 80 films set to show at the inaugural Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival in November.
Quirk said the impressive program for the 16-day international film festival would feature the best films from the Asia Pacific region.
“From November 29 festival-goers will be able to choose from a number of impressive program streams and special events. From drama, comedy, art-house, thrillers, horror, sci-fi, experimental, animation and restored classics, there is truly something for everyone,” Quirk said.
The Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival (BAPFF) would also provide a first Brisbane festival opportunity to showcase the filmmakers, films and documentaries of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA), to be held in December.
BAPFF would complement APSA in not only cementing APSA as a defining event for Brisbane but also providing a first-class international screen industry festival that would draw the attention of the international film community.
“BAPFF will highlight international investment opportunities in the Brisbane film industry and draw attention to the vibrant local film culture,” he said.
Executive chairman Michael Hawkins revealed eight of the expected 80 films that would be part of the first BAPFF.
“We have incredible examples of cinematic art in BAPFF for its first year and I think it’s fair to say that every one of the first eight that we are revealing is excellent. We have many top award winners from the A-list festival circuit. We have included examples from Australia, Turkey, the Philippines, China, Japan, New Zealand, Israel and Georgia.
“I am pleased to announce that BAPFF will host the world premiere of a great Australian documentary William Yang: Blood Links. It traces renowned Australian artist William Yang as he explores his Chinese roots, and how his genealogy unites him with scores of relatives from local and abroad.”
Hawkins also highlighted 2014 Cannes Palme d’Or winner Winter Sleep. “Winter Sleep, set in a mountain village in Turkey, tells the tale of a retired actor who dreams of playing God. It’s a stunning character examination and is well deserving of the recognition it has received so far. We are pleased to be able to showcase this film at BAPFF and welcome back APSA award winning Academy member and producer Zeynep Özbatur Atakan as a guest of BAPFF.”
The first eight BAPFF films revealed are:
• Winter Sleep (Turkey) Nominated for an APSA in Best Feature Film category and Achievement in Directing
• From What is Before (The Philippines)
• Black Coal, Thin Ice (PRC) Nominated for an APSA in Best Performance by an Actor and Achievement in Cinematography
• Tokyo Tribe (Japan)
• The Dead Lands (New Zealand)
• William Yang: Blood Links (Australia)
• Gett, The Trial of Viviane Amsalem (Israel) Nominated for an APSA in Best Performance by an Actress
• Corn Island (Georgia)
The festival will be held from Saturday November 29 to Sunday December 14 and will include dedicated program streams, filmmaker introductions and Q&A sessions.
BAPFF will also provide a festival showcase for a selection of nominated films from the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, giving local audiences the opportunity to preview the APSA-nominated films including Queensland and Australian premieres, award winners and box office hits.
The event is funded by founding sponsor Screen Queensland, presented by Treasury Casino and Hotel, and supported by Screen Australia. Brisbane Marketing is delivering BAPFF on behalf of Brisbane.