Daniel Monks in In The Room Where He Waits.

Queer Screen’s 31st Mardi Gras Film Festival is ready to start a conversation. This year, the Festival encourages the audience to indulge in a good, old-fashioned, post-screening discussion (or debate!), with a jaw-dropping program that will get everyone’s tongues wagging.

“The theme focuses on films that start conversations. People will be keen to discuss and dissect them as soon as the credits start to roll,” explains Festival Director Lisa Rose. “There’s so much to sink your teeth into, including several that will inspire lively debate.”

Encompassing an epic 161 films and events spread across 77 unique programs, MGFF24 will be on everyone’s lips. Audiences can agree, disagree, or agree to disagree on the merits of each at our favourite venues – Event Cinemas (George Street and Hurstville), Ritz Cinemas Randwick, Dendy Cinemas Newtown, the Bearded Tit and Hayden Orpheum Cremorne – and some exciting new ones, including a special double bill of music and film at the Sydney Opera House and panel discussions at the State Library of NSW.

A Portrait of Love.

Two of the three world premières at the Festival are Australian titles. Documentary A Portrait Of Love celebrates Archibald award-winning artist Craig Ruddy. Told through the eyes of his partner of twenty years, Roberto Meza, and directed by Molly Reynolds (My Name Is Gulpilil), it’s an exuberant tale of creativity and devotion. Both Molly and Roberto will be attending the screening and answering questions afterwards.

In The Room Where He Waits was a Queer Screen Completion Fund recipient and one of the projects chosen for Queer Screen Goes to Cannes. This exciting feature debut from up-and-coming Australian director and Festival guest Timothy Desphina Marshall is a chilling psychological thriller, set in the claustrophobic hotel room of a theatre actor who returns home for his father’s funeral. In The Room Where He Waits is written and directed by Timothy Despina Marshall and stars Daniel Monks, Susie Porter and Annabel Marshall-Roth.

Sunflower, which we also packed when we went to Cannes, is the impressive first feature from director Gabriel Carrubba. Tender, atmospheric and touching, it follows Leo, a 17-year-old from working-class Melbourne who is questioning his sexuality. You can listen to our podcast episode with Gabriel Carrubba here.

Sahela is set in Western Sydney, where Vir, a second-generation Indian-Australian who is close to fulfilling his parents’ dreams, can no longer ignore his own desires. A deeply moving film which beautifully captures the not-uncommon connection between a gay man and his wife.

MGFF24 is screening in Sydney from 15 to 29 February, before an on demand encore streaming nationwide from 1 to 11 March, tickets are on sale now at queerscreen.org.au.