Brisbane International Film Festival 2024: Star-studded line-up and record-breaking ticket sales

The 30th Brisbane International Film Festival has kicked off, with a 10-day event packed featuring world premieres, red carpet appearances from stars like Jelena Dokic and Bob Geldof on the upcoming show reel.

Phoebe Condon from Coorparoo, with Cassidy Lacey from Northgate, for the opening of BIFF Film Festival this Weekend. Photo Steve Pohlner

The 2024 Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) launched this week, kicking off a star-studded 10-day celebration of cinema, attracting thousands of film lovers from across the city.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the festival is already smashing ticket sales records, with several screenings selling out across multiple venues.

BIFF CEO Luke Wheatley said this year’s event is shaping up to be the biggest yet, with 60 films on offer and an incredible line-up of red-carpet appearances.

“We’ve broken our own records for ticket sales,” Mr Wheatley said.

“We’re celebrating 30 years, and the momentum just keeps building, we’ve got talent in attendance, but we’ve also got some other special surprises as well.”

Among the festival’s highlights is the world premiere of Unbreakable: The Jelena Dokic Story, with the tennis star herself will walk the red carpet at Dendy Coorparoo on November 3.

But the star power doesn’t stop there.

Australian icons John Jarratt and Vince Colosimo will appear at the premiere of their film Double or Nothing on October 27, while Irish singer-songwriter and activist Bob Geldof will support the premiere of The Red, a quirky horror film about a zombie kangaroo, on October 25 at Brisbane Powerhouse.

Phoebe Condon (blond) from Coorparoo, with Cassidy Lacey (brunette) from Northgate at the festival’s opening. Picture: Steve Pohlner

This year’s festival also boasts some of the most talked-about international films, including Anora, a Palme d’Or winner from Cannes, and Room Next Door, which took home the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.

“We have the gold and the silver winning films from the Venice Film Festival, which I think is a huge coup for us this year,” Mr Wheatley said.

In addition to global cinema, BIFF will shine a spotlight on local talent, including The Lost Tiger, the first animated feature written by an Indigenous filmmaker, and Flathead, filmed in Bundaberg.

Wheatley emphasised the importance of supporting Australian filmmakers, saying, “We wanted to make sure their films are shown alongside some of the biggest films in the world.”

“We’re encouraging Brisbane people and Queensland people to come and see these movies and support Australian filmmakers with international filmmakers,” Mr Wheatley added.

Meanwhile, festival-goers will be sipping on a specially-made BIFF beer at the event.

A collaboration between BIFF and South Brisbane’s Easytimes Brewing Co, the exclusive beer debuted at the festival’s red carpet opening night at the Palace Barracks on Thursday and will continue to flow throughout the week.

“This partnership embodies the spirit of Brisbane – a collaboration between world-class cinema and our vibrant local brewing scene,” Mr Wheatley said.

“It’s the perfect way for festival-goers to toast the magic of film and enjoy a truly Brisbane-crafted experience.”

Easytimes Brewing CEO Greg Kimmings said the BIFF-branded beer “pairs perfectly with the energy and excitement of the festival.”

BIFF runs from October 24 to November 3, with screenings and red-carpet events held across Brisbane. Tickets are available at biff.com.au.