Films 

QAHC and our regional festival committees in association with the Melbourne Queer Film Festival have put together an amazing lineup of films for you to enjoy this year. The following list of films have been curated for Cairns 2010, our three day film festival.

The regional one day Tropical Alternative Film Festival screenings will be showing the first three sessions shown below which we think are the best representation from these films. Following them are the extra films available to people attending the Cairns event. Images of the films and details on the Queensland Pride Short Film Competition will be available shortly.

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Venues

Showing in Carins and other Regional Screenings...

 
Hollywood Je T'Aime
Dir: Jason Bushman, USA, 2009, dvd, 97 min
English, French with English subtitles

Freshly dumped, Jerome swaps Paris for California in the hope of finding some sun, an acting job and men – anything to keep his mind off his cheating ex. When he arrives, it’s not the paradise he imagined, but he soon meets prostitute Kaleesha, who takes a real shine to our puppy-dog-eyed loner, and who introduces him to drag queen, Norma Desire, and with nowhere to stay Jerome crashes at Norma’s place. Things seem to be working out for our leading man when he meets gay pot dealer, Ross (Chad Allen, Save Me [MQFF 2008]), who introduces him to an agent friend and he soon scores an acting gig… on a microwave pizza commercial. Ah, the glamour of Hollywood!

Lovers of classic Hollywood films will have fun spotting the references to such films as Sunset Boulevard and Wizard Of Oz – with its fading from black-and-white to colour, to the ‘there’s no place like home’ maxim – and many more… one of the most popular films on the queer film festival circuit, Hollywood Je T’aime is plenty of fun. (Paul Tonta - MQFF)

AND THEN CAME LOLA
Dir: Ellen Seidler & Megan Siler, USA, 2009, dvd, 73 min

Owing a huge (tongue in) cheeky debt to 1998’s Run, Lola Run, the film that put Tom Tykwer’s firmly onto the world cinema map, this first feature from the do-it-all duo (credited for writing, directing, producing and operating the camera) Seidler and Siler (who on her own made The Midwife’s Tale in 1995) is as light as a soufflé and frothier than a cappuccino. It’s also as delicious as both, but much sexier than either.

Ashleigh Sumner displays buckets of charisma as the eponymous Lola, a somewhat shiftless and perpetually unpunctual photographer who doesn’t like to be tied down, but is on the cusp of finally uttering the C word (we’re talking about commitment – keep yourselves nice) with her current squeeze, Casey (Jill Bennett). The film’s plot revolves around Lola trying to get some photographic prints to Casey in time for an important job opportunity. Said opportunity is being offered by Casey’s silky smooth ex-girlfriend (Cathy DeBuono), so there’s a little more at stake than simply a graphic design contract. And did we mention that Lola has to run through the whole rigmarole several times? With different obstacles and outcomes on each occasion? (Madeleine Swain - MQFF) 

AUSTRALIAN SHORT FILMS 

Bombshell
Dir: Kim Farrant, Australia, 2008, video, 15 min
A loaded bombshell is thrown into the laps of two Greek-Australian brothers forcing them to question their traditional beliefs and machismo identities as men.

Lash
Dir: Elka Kerkhoffs, Australia, 2008, video, 6 min
Celine discovers that religious persecution cannot kill the power of love.

The Human Prism
Dir: Ariel Crellin, Australia, 2008, video, 8 min
Like the light through a prism, Adrian's life is split in two as his choices take him on two different paths in the search for love.

Neon Skin
Dir: Grant Scicluna, Australia, 2009, 35mm, 5 min
A young man finds a connection with his blind friend that is unexpectedly sensual.

Trixie Club
Dir: Kyle Van Heerden, Australia, 2008, video, 16 min
Jack is an average bloke out for his bucks night. His world is turned on its head when he stumbles into the Trixie Club.

Disarm
Dir: Nathan Keene, Australia, 2009, video, 18 mins
Two men meet online for a hook up, but after an initial confrontation, they fall into conversation and have something they didn’t expect: a connection.

Breeders
Dir: Douglas Brook, Australia, 2009, video, 9 min
In a surreal all-gay world, the fight for heterosexual rights has begun.

Sorrento
Dir: Simon Larkins, Australia, 2009, video, 15 min
Sorrento explores the bond between 3 close friends who discover a secret that will change their relationships and their understanding of each other forever.

For those in Cairns we will also be showing...

Redwoods

Winner of the prestigious 2009 Iris Award for Best Feature, Redwoods is a gorgeously photographed romantic drama, set amidst the lush redwood forests of California.

Everett and Miles live in relative seclusion in a small town with their learning disabled son, Billy. Their relationship is passionless and they seem to be held together by their shared loved of the child. When Miles and Billy take a trip out of town to visit family, Everett is thankful for some time to be by himself. However his peace is interrupted by the arrival of a handsome stranger, Chase, a writer who has taken a wrong turn on the way to his B&B. Their mutual attraction is instant, and they start spending time together. Openly flirtatious and carefree, Chase tries to seduce the more serious Everett, who is torn between risk and responsibility. Will he embrace the chance for true love, or will his commitment to his family hold steady? (Paul Tonta - MQFF)

Boys Short Films

Non-Love-Song
Dir: Erik Gernand, USA, 2009, video, 8 min
On the last day of summer before heading off to college, two 18 year old best friends attempt to connect as adults and for the first time in their lives share a real moment.

Housemates
Dir: Lee Matthews, Australia, 2009, video, 5 min
Aashiq lives a happy life, sharing a home with his lover David and his best friend Aly. There’s just one thing he needs to do...come out to his mother.

The Golden Pin
Dir: Cuong Ngo, Canada, 2009, video, 15 min
English and Vietnamese with English subtitles
A young Vietnamese man must choose between his family obligations and his love for another man.

Frequent Travellor
Dir: Patricia Bateira, Germany, 2007, video, 8 min
German with English subtitles
At the security control system of an airport, a man goes to great lengths to make a connection.

Steam
Dir: Eldar Rapaport, USA, 2009, video, 16 min
Moving between anxiety, reflection and fear, two strangers try to make sense of their predicament...stuck in a sauna. What is this place and how did they get here? Winner Iris Prize 2009.

Last Call
Dir: Nick Corporon, USA, 2009, video, 18 min
Gavin is killed in an accident before reconnecting with his ex-boyfriend. Sitting in limbo, can he convince Fate to give him a second chance at love?

Sombrero
Dir: Nathaniel Atcheson, USA, 2008, video, 12 min
An awkward blind date in a Mexican restaurant quickly takes a turn toward the absurd.

Girls Short Films

The Light And Her Shadows
Dir: Andrea Ianetta, India, 2009, 35mm, 11 min
Julia, an American painter, and Avantika, a young Indian girl develop an intimate friendship.

Back To Life
Dir: Desi Del Valle & Hollie Lemarr, USA, 2009, video, 12 min
Trista faces a moral crisis when she finds herself in an illicit relationship with her married best friend. Director and star Desi Del Valle will be in attendance.

Tools 4 Fools
Dir: Kate Brandt, USA, 2009, video, 8 min
Comedienne Julie Goldman stars as an infomercial huckster promoting recycled sex toys for girls in this ode to a greener sex life.

Girl Talk
Dir: Jennifer Smith, USA, 2008, video, 6min
Three high school girls find out that their friend, Kelly, went on a hot date over the weekend. The identity of the lucky person is a surprise to everyone.

Son Of The Preacher
Dir: Jasmine Gervais, Canada, 2008, video, 5 min
Billy, the preacher’s son, secretly falls for a mysterious and pretty new parishioner. But it seems she has other things on her mind.

When The Time Is Right
Dir: Linda Andersson, USA, 2008, video, 11 min
A woman’s indecision to move in with her new girlfriend is aided by a possessed, time-travelling alarm clock.

Fresh Air Therapy (Frischluft Therapie)
Dir: Christoph Scheermann, Germany, 2009, video, 6 min
German With English subtitles
Two women maintain the rage at couple’s counselling. What the therapist tries for months, is achieved by a sudden incident in the dark.

Buttery Top
Dir: Catherine Crouch & Kelly Hayes, USA, 2009, video, 4 min
A jug of wine, a loaf of bread - but wait - what kind of bread? A comedy about a first date with extra baggage.

Runner
Dir: David Meadows, Australia, 2009, video, 15 min
Futuristic drama about sexy Atalanta who runs the rooftops of Interval City, an industrial metropolis ruthlessly governed by religious ferver.

TICKETS

Tickets will be released online and at local sellers shortly. Contact your local QAHC Centre or check back here for more information.

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Venues