Queensland Brings Back the BIFF

The Brisbane International Film Festival disappeared three years ago. I wont go into the reasons for the event transmogrifying into something else which has also now been abandoned. Screen Queensland has decided to award $250,000 to a team which includes veteran programmers and event organisers Richard Sowada and Maxine Williamson and includes Palace Cinemas which will be providing what is described as "infrastructure report". A flurry of press releases came out on Monday. This one was issued by the State Premier. Screen Queensland's money will support the event. The sum of $250,000 isn't mentioned but was apparently publicly announced by the Premier and reported in the Brisbane Courier-Mail

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Monday, June 12, 2017

A new film festival for Brisbane in first round funding

The re-birth of the Brisbane International Film Festival, along with the return of popular Brisbane-based film events will take place in 2017 and 2018, announced Queensland Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk.

“Screen Queensland funding of $882,000 will support seven Brisbane-based festivals and events, including a brand new Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) to take place in August,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“This funding will also support two years of funding for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards industry and screening program.”

“Queenslanders have an enormous interest in film and the range of festivals and events in Brisbane will help to meet the demand for innovative screen activities,” she said.

Screen Queensland Board Chair Linda Apelt said Screen Culture funding, offered in two rounds each year, with multi-year funding available for festivals with attendances above 10,000, worked to leverage significant industry partnerships.

“Screen Queensland is partnering with Brisbane Marketing for the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, and with Palace Cinemas for the Brisbane International Film Festival,” Ms Apelt said.