Brisbane International Film Festival

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Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) held in Brisbane provides a focus for film culture in Queensland, Australia. The festival has taken place since 1992 and focuses on films from the Asia-Pacific region. The event lasts for 24 days and offers films including features, documentaries, shorts, experimental, silent films and retrospective programmes. As of 2006, the Festival has attracted more than 315,000 visitors.

The Festival features events including the Opening Night, Showcase events, the "Fast Film" competition, various awards ceremonies and the Closing Night celebrations. The World Cinema and the Asia Pacific programmes highlight films from countries including Korea, Iran, Germany, Indonesia, India, New Zealand and the USA.

[edit] Free Events

BIFF has attracted 8,000 audience members to the free events including Fast Film, public programme, CineSparks and the seminar program. These events are meant to attract dedicated film buffs, the general public and children.

Cine Sparks, The Australian Film Festival for Young People was part of BIFF’s expansion in 2005, with a program of films, workshops and seminars for people under the age of 18. Cine Sparks is popular with school groups, with more than 10,000 students attending the various sessions.
The Retrospective programme allows audiences to discover the films and filmmakers. The Festival’s retrospective and tribute programme has recognised and showcased a variety of directors on various aspects of cinema.
Lectures and Seminars provide BIFF goers an opportunity to match minds with the film industry professionals attending the Festival. In 2005, the topics ranged from a seminar on intellectual property issues for filmmakers to a debate on what’s wrong with the Australian film industry.
BIFF Fast Film competition gives entrants 50 days to shoot a short film and the opportunity to be screened at the finalists public screening. The short film must incorporate a special and to be announced ingredient.

[edit] Awards

Chauvel Award - Each year the Festival acknowledges a contributor to Australian cinema through the Chauvel Award, presented by the Brisbane City Council, and named in honour of Charles Chauvel. Past recipients of the Chauvel Award have included producer Anthony Buckley, director Paul Cox, actor Bryan Brown, cinematographer John Seale, Geoffrey Rush and documentary makers Bob Connolly and Robin Anderson.

Jury Awards - Each year, the Festival hosts three international juries, who judge three awards, including The FIPRESCI Award, the NETPAC Award and the Interfaith Award for Promoting Humanitarian Values.