For the first time in its history, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival is giving us something ‘eXtra’ to get excited about this year by bringing a shortened version of the festival to Cinema Nova for three days this October.
From October 4-6 you can see some of the latest LGBTIQ+ feature films and shorts, just to tide you over and whet your appetite for the festival’s return in early 2020.
Moviedoc has had the pleasure to sample some of the eXtra offerings to provide you all with a little guide to what’s on offer.
SEAHORSE
Director
Jeanie Finlay
GAY | TRANS | 91 MINS | UK | 2019
SCREENING: SUNDAY OCTOBER 6: 4:30PM
The aptly named Seahorse is a documentary feature detailing the journey of a trans man (Freddy McConnell) through his decision to start a family and the processes involved in him giving birth to his own child. Seahorse explores the complexities involved with Freddy trying to maintain the masculinity he fought so hard for, while navigating one of life’s most uniquely female experiences. The one thing the film doesn’t show in any great detail is any of the public backlash that Freddy undoubtedly experienced throughout his pregnancy. The film briefly makes mention of this element, but leaves it mostly undocumented, lending to the notion that the process was a lot simpler than what it most likely was. Nevertheless, it’s a beautiful film that shows the evolution of pregnancy and parenthood in our modern world.
GIRL ON GIRL SHORTS
LESBIAN | SHORTS | UK | USA | 85 MINS
SCREENING: SATURDAY OCTOBER 5: 4:00PM
Here we got to look at two of the six short films included in the Girl On Girl Shorts package; Wishin’ and Hopin’ and A Great Ride. While Wishin’ and Hopin’ is a sweet little 9 min film about a bridesmaid having an emotional moment in the bathroom of her best friend’s wedding, it’s A Great Ride that makes you value the price of admission. The 30 min film introduces us to various senior lesbians as they discuss the challenges and added vulnerabilities that are associated with ageing in the lesbian community. It’s an interesting and heartwarming little piece featuring the prominent lesbian activist Sally Gearhart (amongst others), and really gets you thinking about issues that you probably had never considered unless you are reaching that age yourself.
GUY ON GUY SHORTS
GAY | GERMANY | IRAN | ISRAEL | SPAIN | UK | 90 MINS
SCREENING: SATURDAY OCTOBER 5: 4:30PM
For the Guy On Guy Shorts we got to look at Set Me as a Seal Upon Thine Heart which is a lovely juxtaposed vignette from Israel set in a men’s sauna. All around are fit young men, doing what most men do in a gay sauna, but amongst all that is also a confused old man who is befriended by a much younger man. It’s sad, confronting and tender which works as a complete contrast to its setting. We also got to look at Rick, an interesting and thought provoking German short about a gay, deaf porn star and the challenges he has had to overcome in his journey. These films are certainly more confronting that those viewed in the Girl on Girl Shorts, but definitely no less rewarding.
If the sampling that we got to taste for this pop-up festival are anything to go by, MQFF have done another magnificent job of procuring the best films possible to offer their Melbourne audiences. Get down to Cinema Nova in Carlton this weekend and feast out on some cinematic treats.
For more information and ticketing, please following the link:
MQFF
Moviedoc thanks MQFF for the opportunity to preview these films.
Moviedoc 
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