March 2010

IN THIS ISSUE:

Festival Update

Lisa Daniel's Festival Highlights

The Hollywood Hills

Giveaways Galore

Raffle Rocks

Special Offer

Sponsors Thanks

Festival UpdateFestival Update

Well folks, there is most definitely no turning back now. Our 20^th birthday is only one sleep away and naturally, you are all invited to seriously indulge in the eleven day celebration of funny, dramatic, entertaining, intriguing and sexy times that lay before us.

 With a record amount of premiers this year - and a mix of films, themes and stars more eclectic than a David Lynch marathon, we are anticipating the most memorable and ground breaking MQFF ever!

I don’t know about you, but we all feel like kids in a candy store wanting to taste everything at the same time. I’ll certainly be getting my Brazilian fix this year, and the temptation of a big gay musical is too fabulous to resist, frankly. But I have to say, many of the shorts and doco’s have really caught my attention this year.

‘Breeders’ – part of the OZ shorts package looks hilarious if the clips I’ve seen are anything to go by. Just the thought of a surreal all-gay world where heterosexuals are fighting for their rights makes me chuckle. And the study of identical lesbian twins Amy and Claire in ‘Life is Elsewhere’, included in the OZ docs program, is just one of the intriguing Aussie selections I don’t plan on missing.

So if you don’t already have one, grab a guide and get booking because, at the time of print, some sessions were already on their way to being chock-a-block! And after all, it would be a terrible shame to miss our 20th birthday – it’s gonna be one hell of a festival!

The festival lounge is a favourite for many throughout the MQFF experience. But we do worry that some of you miss out on the beautifully gay, film buff atmosphere – not to mention the daquiries and other tasty indulgences. So remember, it’s not exclusive – it’s for everyone. And if you’re anything like me, it’ll absolutely complete the festival experience for you, being the rare opportunity that it is to hang out in a chilled gay land in between a buffet of queer cinema! I love it!

And FYI – members and vollies get $1 off alcoholic beverages…….not that we’re encouraging you to drink of course, but we know you want to, so why not grab a bargain!

Oh, and p.s. Train trak wine are offering 15% off all orders until the end of the festival? Can you believe that? It's like, totally serious too. So you might wanna think about hiring a small crane perhaps, or maybe a large station wagon in anticipation of this great offer. Just putting it out there. Click here to order!


See you at the festival,
Love, the team.

Carnival and 60 Prizes in 60 Days!
Lisa Daniel's Festival Highlights

Well she kicked and she screamed but we managed to hold Lisa down from her very director-esque schedule long enough to squeeze some hot tips from the lady herself! You heard it here first....

Edie and Thea, From Beginning to End, Make the Yuletide Gay, Eating Out 3: All You Can Eat, Antique, Boob Tube, Little Ashes, Plan B, Femme Fatalities, and Give Me Your Hand – so best get in quick for those sessions. It’s nice to see Melbourne getting behind Edie and Thea which is one of the doco highlights of the fest – and even nicer to see the gay boys queuing up for tickets for that also. It’s an extraordinary love story of 50 years that we can all take some inspiration from – not just about commitment to a partnership, but for how to live life to the fullest under trying circumstances.

Some Festival highlights not be missed include the world premiere of We Have to Stop Now, and gems such as The King of Escape, We Are the Mods, American Primitive, Initiation (not for the faint hearted) and the gay prison drama Release.

From Beginning to End is confirmed as our first 'Back by Popular Demand' session, with an additional screening at 6.15pm, Monday March 29. And just a reminder that Oy Vey My Son is Gay! is no longer screening and has been replaced by a second screening of David's Birthday. Tickets already purchased for Oy Vey will be accepted at session 57 on March 24th.

MUTSThe Hollywood Hills are Alive

Is there anyone out there who wouldn’t jump at the chance for a free trip for two to LA with four nights free accommodation in West Hollywood? Well hello – it’s only one of the gayest places on earth, not to mention the hub of the film industry. The perfect destination for any Queer Film fan I should imagine!

Did I also mention you would be flying international premium economy, thanks to V AUSTRALIA who are so kindly behind this exceptional offer. So jump at your chance immediately, simply by purchasing a ticket to any MQFF session, and then emailing your favourite MQFF memory in 50 words or less to office@mqff.com.au including ‘Hollywood’ in the subject line, along with your name and contact number. Entries close 5pm sharp, Tuesday March 30, 2010.

Lesbian LoveMember's Giveaway

Simply because we like our members so much, we couldn’t help ourselves but to throw another gift opportunity your way. This time, a superb gay classic film to add to your collection, Jeffrey.

Starring Patrick Stewart and Steven Weber, Jeffrey is a young gay man in New York who decides to become celibate. He immediately meets the man of his dreams and must decide whether or not love is worth the danger of a boyfriend dying.

To win one of several copies of Jeffrey, simply email your name, membership number and 'JEFFREY' in the subject line to info@mqff.com.au. Entries close 5pm on Monday March 22nd. All entries will go into a draw with the winners chosen at random and notified.

The DVD is now available to buy from Hares and Hyenas. Thanks to our friends at Love Films who just can’t stop sharing the love!!

Lesbian Love Raffle Rocks

It wouldn’t be a Festival without one of our giant raffles, and 2010 is no exception with a rich collection of great prizes from our wonderful sponsors.

For your chance to scoop the prize pool, look out for the MQFF volunteers selling tickets in and around the festival.

All prizes will be drawn at the Closing Night Film & Party 28^th March.

1st Prize (total value approx $4,000)
Volkswagen Golf for a week of driving pleasure (conditions apply, see website)
Luxury long weekend for two at an Art Series Hotel (three nights accommodation)
Showbiz Theatre Prize Pack (double pass to two of the biggest musicals playing in Melbourne - Fame and West Side Story)
FULL TILT at the Arts Centre - Comedy Prize Pack (double passes to three excellent shows -Donna & Damo – An Asexual Love Story, Die Roten Punkte KUNST ROCK and The Concert by The Business)
ACMI Exhibition and Film Pack (including double pass to the Dennis Hopper Exhibition)
Love Films DVD Pack (including Dog Tags, Bent, Jeffrey, Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon)
Joy 94.9 CD Pack (Volumes 2 -5)
Dinner for two at The French Brasserie
Train Trak Wine Pack

Three Runner Up Prizes (each with a total value approx $200)
ACMI Exhibition and Film Pack
Love Films DVD Pack
Joy 94.9 CD

 

A big thank you to our generous prize contributors who made this raffle possible.
To find our more about these sponsors or terms & conditions visit www.mqff.com.au

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