Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival Unveils Inaugural Line-Up
The first-ever BAPFF comes to town from November 29
The first-ever Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival (BAPFF) is less than a month away and organisers are kicking the final stages of preparation into gear, announcing the first batch of movies (among a total of 80) to grace the event's screens come November 29.
Sourced from a broad range of countries, the initial group comprises of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA)-nominated (and 2014 Cannes Palm d'Or winner) Winter Sleep, from Turkey; From What Is Before, from the Philippines; China's Black Coal, Thin Ice, which also netted APSA nominations; Tokyo Tribe, from Japan; New Zealand's The Dead Lands; the Aussie-made Blood Links, an examination of Chinese diaspora; APSA-nominated Israeli flick Gett, The Trial Of Viviane Amsalem; and Corn Island, all the way from Georgia.
In making the announcement, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the 16-day festival would include the cream of the cinematic crop from around the Asia-Pacific region.
"From the 29th of November, festival-goers will be able to choose from a number of impressive program streams and special events," Cr Quirk said. "From drama, comedy, art-house, thrillers, horror, sci-fi, experimental, [to] animation and restored classics, there is truly something for everyone."
"BAPFF will highlight international investment opportunities in the Brisbane film industry and draw attention to the vibrant local film culture," he continued.
The festival's executive chairman, Michael Hawkins, agreed, highlighting two of the films in particular as being special coups for the inaugural BAPFF.
"We have incredible examples of cinematic art in BAPFF for its first year and I think it's fair to say that every one of the first eight that we are revealing is excellent," Hawkins said in a statement. "We have many top award winners from the A-list festival circuit."
"I am pleased to announce that BAPFF will host the world premiere of a great Australian documentary, William Yang: Blood Links," he continued. "It traces renowned Australian artist William Yang as he explores his Chinese roots, and how his genealogy unites him with scores of relatives from local and abroad.
"Winter Sleep, set in a mountain village in Turkey, tells the tale of a retired actor who dreams of playing God. It's a stunning character examination and is well deserving of the recognition it has received so far. We are pleased to be able to showcase this film at BAPFF and welcome back APSA Award-winning Academy member and producer Zeynep Özbatur Atakan as a guest of BAPFF."
The inaugural Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival will be held from Saturday, November 29, to Sunday, December 14, and, in addition to the central program of films, will feature program streams, filmmaker introductions, a festival showcase of selected nominees from the APSAs, and Q&A sessions.
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