Tickets are now on sale for the Brisbane International Film Festival 2018 (BIFF 2018), presented by the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) with screenings at GOMA and venues across Brisbane from 11 to 21 October.

QAGOMA Director Chris Saines said the program of more than 100 Australian and international feature, documentary and short films would be complemented by a compelling selection of special events, panels and workshops.

‘The Festival’s Patrons, director Bruce Beresford and producer Sue Milliken AO, will discuss their latest collaboration Ladies in Black, and Beresford will also be joined in conversation by Li Cunxin to talk about Mao’s Last Dancer, his adaptation of the acclaimed dancer’s autobiography,’ Mr Saines said.

‘BIFF 2018 also includes the Australian premieres of award-winning Korean auteur Hong Sang‑soo’s Hotel by the River, Danish provocateur Lars Von Trier’s The House That Jack Built and, as the closing night film, the Queensland premiere of Leave No Traceby Oscar-nominated American director Debra Granik.

‘A documentary about Australia’s most prominent land rights case, Wik vs Queensland, will be accompanied by a free panel discussion with activists and lawyers including Noel Pearson and filmmaker Dean Gibson, chaired by Walkley Award-winning journalist Kerry O’Brien.

‘BIFF 2018 also includes a unique combination of virtual reality and live performance in the thriller Frogman, workshops and conferences for emerging and established filmmakers, films for families and young viewers, screenings with live music, and a mystery screening of a film that will be only be revealed on the day.

‘Previously announced as the opening night film, Brisbane-born director Ben Hackworth’s Celeste, will also be shown accompanied by a dinner in the two‑hatted GOMA Restaurant featuring produce inspired by the film’s Far North Queensland setting,’ Mr Saines said.

The Festival will be presented at QAGOMA’s purpose built Cinémathèque, the only facility of its kind in an Australian art museum, and city-wide at partner venues including Event Cinemas at Brisbane City Myer Centre; Five Star Cinemas (New Farm Cinemas and Elizabeth Picture Theatre); Reading Cinemas at Newmarket; Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre; State Library of Queensland and the Brisbane Powerhouse.

The Artistic Director for BIFF 2018 is Amanda Slack-Smith, Curatorial Manager of QAGOMA’s Australian Cinémathèque.

‘BIFF 2018 offers audiences a rich showcase of films from around the world accompanied by 24 thought-provoking events including conversations, panel discussions, live music with film and more,’ Ms Slack-Smith said.

Full program details are now online and tickets can be purchased at www.biff.com.au

Artistic Director Amanda Slack-Smith said BIFF 2018 catered for all ages and interests. Among the highlights are:

• The opening night feature film, Celeste2018, a compelling love story by Brisbane-born director Ben Hackworth set in the tropical splendour of Far North Queensland and starring Radha Mitchell, Nadine Garner and Thomas Cocquerel.
  
• BIFF 2018 Festival Patrons, Academy Award-nominated director Bruce Beresford and Chauvel Award-winning producer Sue Milliken AO, in conversation about Ladies in Black 2018.
  
• Internationally acclaimed dancer and Queensland Ballet Artistic Director Li Cunxin and Bruce Beresford in conversation about Mao’s Last Dancer 2009, Beresford’s adaption of Li’s autobiography. Chaired by fellow BIFF 2018 Patron Sue Milliken AO.
  
• Australian film star Miranda Tapsell and producer Rosemary Blight discussing The Sapphires 2012 andTop End Wedding2018 (currently in post-production).
  
• Bruce Beresford’s top five directed films and top five favourite films in the BIFF 2018 program strands: ‘Bruce Beresford Directs’ and ‘Bruce Beresford Selects’, the latter including The Passion of Joan of Arc 1928. Heralded as one of the greatest films ever made, this transfixing silent feature will screen with live music performed by Brisbane post-rock band, hazards of swimming naked.
  
• The world premiere live performance of Teiji Ito: Music for Film, presenting the film soundtracks of the late composer Teiji Ito (1935–1982), who collaborated with legendary experimental filmmakers Maya Deren and Marie Menken. Films include Deren’s Meshes of the Afternoon1943 and The Very Eye of Night1958 and Menken’s Dwightiana1959.
  
• Frogman, a unique virtual reality and performance experience in the form of a thriller focused on the fragility of childhood imagination, presented by UK theatre company curious directive.
  
• Wik vs Queensland 2018, about the High Court’s landmark 1996 decision to grant native title co-existence to the Wik people of Far North Queensland, followed by a panel featuring lawyer, activist and cast member Noel Pearson and filmmaker Dean Gibson, chaired by journalist Kerry O’Brien.
  
• The Australian premiere ofThe Picture Show Men 2018, a documentary about the James C. Sourris AM and family, who over three generations have made a significant contribution to the presentation of cinema in Queensland and New South Wales.
  
• The Queensland premiere of Acute Misfortune 2018, theatre director Thomas M Wright’s debut feature film about the troubled life of the late contemporary Australian artist Adam Cullen.
  
• Free YouTube Creator Day for Filmmakers hosted by online video experts Changer Studios, a workshop tailored to teach filmmakers tips and tricks for understanding YouTube. Presented by BIFF and Create Queensland.
  
• Free Queensland Emerging Screen Talent Conference, a day of industry roundtables, seminars and workshops presented by the Brisbane International Film Festival and Griffith Film School.

BIFF 2018 is supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland and the Australian Federal Government through Screen Australia.

Follow BIFF on social media @bneintlfilmfest and via the hashtag #BIFF2018.