Gold Coast talent shines at the Brisbane International Film Festival
BIFF runs 27 to 30 November with sixty films, major guests and Gold Coast talent across Brisbane.
What’s happening
Brisbane International Film Festival returns from Thursday 27 to Sunday 30 November 2025.
The relaunch is delivered by For Film’s Sake after its appointment by Screen Queensland in July 2025. Festival Director Sophie Mathisen leads the new era.
Events run across Brisbane, including Streets Beach, The Star Brisbane and Howard Smith Wharves.
Opening night on 27 November features a black tie Gala for the Australian premiere of Agon, directed by Giulio Bertelli. The 25th anniversary screening of Bring It On follows on 28 November at The Star Brisbane’s Leisure Deck with director Peyton Reed attending. On 29 November, BIFF hosts the Australian premiere of A Life Illuminated. Closing night on 30 November features the Queensland premiere of It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley with a live performance of Grace.
This year also highlights Gold Coast talent with Badland Rising, a Queensland-made action thriller directed by Gold Coaster Blair Moore and co-produced with Gold Coast–founded stunt specialists Gorilla Entertainment. It screens on Saturday 29 November at Dendy Coorparoo.
Why it matters
Mathisen said the relaunch honours BIFF’s past. “In reimagining BIFF, we returned to the Festival’s extraordinary legacy of prestige premieres and director delegations,” she said.
She said audiences can meet more than twenty filmmakers. “We are thrilled to elevate BIFF to a globally connected, globally relevant Festival that showcases Queensland’s preparedness for the eyes of the world.”
Queensland Arts Minister John Paul Langbroek said the event supports the Government’s Time to Shine arts policy.
“We want BIFF to be a festival for everyone, one that reactivates the city, strengthens our creative economy and celebrates Queensland as a place where stories are made, shared and loved.”
Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said the event reflects Queensland’s creative aims. “This reimagining of BIFF reflects Screen Queensland’s creative confidence and ambition for the screen sector.”
Local impact
BIFF lifts Queensland creators into a major statewide event. Badland Rising brings Gold Coast locals to the front, including director and writer Blair Moore, stunt producer Steve Morris from Gorilla Entertainment and actor Jake Ryan.
Their work sits alongside local musicians performing on the closing night, and Queensland stories, such as Jayden Martin’s FLATHEAD.
Queensland stories sit alongside global premieres. Venues across Brisbane and South Bank host the full four-day spread.
By the numbers
More than sixty films form the 2025 program across four days.
Twenty-nine films screen as Australian premieres.
Roughly forty-two per cent of the titles are directed by women.
Zoom in
The program includes Park Chan Wook’s No Other Choice, Takashi Miike’s Blazing Fists, Ildiko Enyedi’s Silent Friend starring Tony Leung and Lea Seydoux, and Ted Evans’ Retreat.
Maria Lewis curates six films by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and global Indigenous storytellers.
Queensland work features through Jayden Martin’s FLATHEAD and Gold Coast made Badland Rising.
Zoom out
George Miller returns as Festival Patron after nearly two decades. He selected MASH as the first Patron’s Pick.
“This movie, so wildly subversive, had a huge cultural impact,” Miller said. He noted how strong festival culture supports cinema.
What to look for next
Audiences can browse the program, explore special event prices, and book passes through BIFF.com.au.