Charles Sturt University is proud to support the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer community and its allies (LGBTIQA+) by returning as a regional partner for the Queer Screen Film Festival – Best of the Fest. Don't miss your chance to experience this eclectic collection of some of the best short films from this year's Mardi Gras Film Festival!

Get ready for a night of celebration, connection, and creativity! This year’s Queer Screen Festival is turning up the energy with 8 incredible short films that honour and celebrate the diverse voices of the LGBTQI+ community. From heart-warming tales to powerful narratives, our curated selection of short films promises to captivate and inspire. Explore a variety of genres, including drama, comedy, romance, and more, all while celebrating the vibrant and diverse LGBTQ+ community.

But that’s not all!

Groove to live beats from the fabulous DJ Mel, explore our first-ever photography exhibition showcasing the vibrant history of our local queer community, be amazed at the live performances of local Drag Queens Cassie O (our MC extraordinaire), Aria Beautiful, Renee Thicc and Planchette and toast to the night with a welcome drink and canapés on arrival.

Our theme is "Free to be" so glam it up and strut the catwalk for your chance to win a prize! Our Categories are:

Sparkle Eleganza
Step into the spotlight with a look that dazzles and shines! Sparkle Eleganza is all about glitz, glamour, and glitter – the more sparkle, the better. Whether it’s sequins, rhinestones, or metallics, this dress-up lets you shine from head to toe in pure fabulousness.
Drag Excellence
Bring your fiercest, most fabulous self to life with Drag Excellence! This dress-up celebrates bold, over-the-top glam with a touch of performance magic. Think extravagant wigs, killer heels, and fierce makeup – it’s time to serve that face and leave everyone in awe!
Rainbow She Betta Do
Show off your true colors with Rainbow She Betta Do! This look is all about celebrating LGBTIQA+ pride in vibrant, eye-catching hues. From rainbow-inspired fashion to accessories that pop, this dress-up is a fierce way to show the world you’re unapologetically yourself and proud.

The night doesn’t stop there – your ticket also unlocks access to the exclusive afterparty at Miss Lucy's, where the good vibes will keep rolling late into the night.

Don’t miss out on this unforgettable celebration of pride, culture, and creativity. Grab your tickets now and embrace your freedom to be you!

🎟️ Tickets include:

8 Short Films
Live DJ Music and performances
Strut your stuff on the Catwalk - best dressed will earn a prize!
Photography Exhibition
Welcome Drink & Canapés
Entry to the exclusive Afterparty

Festival tickets are $20 each. This is an 18+ event

With thanks to our supporting community partners:

Port Macquarie Hastings Council

Charles Sturt Port Macquarie SRC

Headspace - Port Macquarie

Out Loud & Proud - Port Macquarie

Cheers Queers - Port Macquarie

Showcased Films include:

Dragfox
Sam's search for identity gets interrupted by a mysterious neighbourhood fox, voiced by Ian McKellen. Together they embark on a magical journey to discover the surprising things they might have in common, and how to celebrate their differences.

DragFox

Patricia in the Dark
Born into a world where the word “transgender” didn’t exist, 92 year-old Patricia spent most of her life constraining her true identity to the safety of photography darkrooms, until she opened up to her wife.

The History of the Carabiner
A tongue-in-cheek, historical documentary that takes viewers on a journey through queer history to trace the origins of the carabiner as a lesbian symbol.

Die Bully Die
17 years since high school, Max catches up with his former bully in a fancy restaurant where Max’s grudge against Adam begins to manifest in horrific ways.

I only Kiss in the Dark
When her roommate is outed to his family, a queer woman is forced to spend the evening with his disgruntled sister, discovering just how deep the family's internalised homophobia runs.

Skin
A poetic exploration of identity and self-discovery, using visual symbolism to depict one person’s (Lío Mehiel; Mutt, MGFF24) transformation into a man, their inner manifestation shedding their old skin to embrace their true identity.

Sperm Donors Wanted!
Due to a lack of resources for trans people wanting to biologically conceive, performance artist Krishna Istha interviews hundreds of potential sperm donors live on stage in a quest to find the "perfect" sperm donor for him and his partner to start their family.

ILY, Bye
When an exciting job interview comes her way, Siobhan (Megan Stalter, Hacks) needs to keep her foot out of her mouth long enough to get her foot in the door.