ABC Arts and Screen Australia have announced that 10 projects created from filmmakers within the LGBTQI community have received funding from the Love Bites initiative, a joint documentary initiative created to mark the 40th anniversary of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to be held in 2018.
These 10 projects aim to showcase the lives, challenges and diversity that individuals within the LGBTQI community have faced, from 1980’s lesbian erotic magazines, to growing up with same-sex parents.
Each filmmaking team will receive $10,000 in order to create a 5 minute documentary, which will then be screened on the Arts channel on ABC iview sometime in 2018.
Terese Cau, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras commented saying “There could not be a better time to celebrate the extraordinary diversity that is flourishing in our Australian LGBTQI communities.”
The 10 projects are as follows:
Beyond the Mirrorball (NSW)
Producer Josh Feeney and producer/director Luke Cornish shed a light on the over-50s generation of the LGBTQI community, moving on from the age disco lights of the techno party scene.
Club Arak (NSW)
Producer Alissar Gazal and director Fadia Abboud tell the story of Sydney’s original queer Arab dance party that has been running for 15 years. It has managed to create created a space that and encouraged the Arab demographic to embrace and celebrate their culture and identity.
Dances (VIC)
Producer Stephanie Westwood and director Ramon Watkins look at queer experiences related to dating apps, told through a mixture of dance and animation.
Dani Boi (VIC)
Producer Zena Bartlett and director Logan Mucha create a story that revovles around a provocative drag king, whose radical performance art can play a role in challenging gender conformity.
Desperately Seeking Shavers (VIC)
Producer Christina Radburn and writer/director Emmett Aldred, look at the role facial hair plays in expressing identity for both Trans and gender diverse individuals.
FEZ (QLD)
Producer Jessica Magro, executive producer Kate Paul and director Jermaine D’Vauz focus on the celebration of the life of Samoan-Australian entertainer Fez Faanana, who represents Australia on the world stage in drag, who also co-founded ‘Briefs Factory’, the all-male burlesque company.
Monsta Gras (NSW)
Producer Jain Moralee and director Kelli Jean Drinkwater focus on one of Sydney’s most revered art parties which are hosted by The Glitter Militia, and the political feminist concepts and ideologies that shed new light on what it truly means to be queer.
Queen Biryani (NSW)
Producer Kate Vinen and director Gary Paramanathan tell the story of new Pakistani immigrant Ali, who stands up to gender norms by serving up new and inventive South Asian cuisine through his catering company highlighted by glittering saris.
Same Same (NSW)
Producer Lizzie Cater and writer/director Thomas Wilson-White look into life with same sex parents. Based on Thomas Wilson-White’s own life, the project will attempt to redefine the concept of what it means to be part of a family.
Wicked Women: There’s No Stopping Us Now (VIC)
Producer and director Anna Brownfield gives us a history of the lesbian erotic magazine Wicked Women, which launched in 1988, and made a true statement for lesbian culture at the time.
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