This year’s Queer Fim festival featured nearly 150 films across 72 sessions, showcasing Lisa’s unwavering dedication to community and diverse queer storytelling. Ahead of Canberra’s April 3-5 screenings at the National Film and Sound Archive, Lisa spoke with David Blanco at FUSE about her journey as Festival Director.
Lisa’s journey with Queer Screen began in 2012 as a volunteer. Her passion for film quickly led her to serve on the Board of Directors, where she held various roles for over four years before stepping into the role of Festival Director in 2017. Her love of cinema was deeply ingrained from an early age, she fondly recalls begging her parents to rent movies and later working at Blockbuster Video in the 90s.
Throughout her tenure, Lisa has been at the helm of many memorable screening events. One highlight was opening the 2020 festival with an Australian feature for the first time in its history, Ellie and Abbie (and Ellie’s Dead Aunt). Lisa also played a key role in securing Queer Screen’s participation at the prestigious Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival, making it the first and only LGBTIQ+ film festival in the world to be invited.
Over the years, Lisa has witnessed a remarkable evolution in LGBTIQ+ cinema. “The volume of quality films has grown enormously,” she notes. While coming-out and coming-of-age narratives remain prevalent, there’s now a broader spectrum of stories encompassing different identities, perspectives, and genres. This diversification signals a promising future for queer cinema, offering richer, more complex representations of LGBTIQ+ lives.
For Lisa, one of the festival’s most profound impacts lies in the communal experience of watching a queer film with an LGBTIQ+ audience. “The shared understanding, the way certain moments resonate—it creates a real sense of belonging,” she says.
This sense of connection underscores why festivals like Mardi Gras Film Festival remain vital.
“We provide vital representation and a platform for stories that might not reach mainstream screens. We foster empathy and understanding beyond the LGBTIQ+ community.”
The 2025 festival’s Canberra season continues this legacy with a diverse program. Standout films include the award-winning drama Crossing, a moving story set in Georgia and Türkiye, and the delightful French comedy-drama Somewhere in Love.
Crossing
There’s also Duino, a beautifully shot film about memory and first love, alongside a captivating documentary about the legendary Liza Minnelli. With Canberra audiences growing year after year, Lisa hopes this season’s lineup leaves a lasting and enjoyable impression.
Beyond the festival itself, Queer Screen actively supports LGBTIQ+ filmmaking through initiatives like the Queer Screen Completion Fund and the Queer Screen Pitch Off. These programs empower emerging filmmakers to bring their projects to life, ensuring a steady pipeline of queer stories for years to come.
Duino
Given her deep love of film, it’s no surprise that when asked which three LGBTIQ+ films she’d take to a desert island, Lisa struggles to narrow it down.
Her picks? Portrait of a Lady on Fire, which she dubs “a work of art”; Saving Face, her go-to light-hearted lesbian rom-com; and a massive compilation of the best queer short films she’s ever seen—“it would have a very long runtime, which is a bonus when stranded on an island!”
As Lisa prepares to step away from her role, her advice to her successor is simple but profound:
“Trust your passion for queer storytelling. Engage with the community, embrace the challenges, and don’t stress about making everyone happy—it’s not possible. Focus on curating a diverse, exciting, and meaningful program, and make sure your team, the audience, and the filmmakers have a great time.”
So, what’s next for Lisa? For now, a well-earned break.
“I’ll be taking a mini break to spend quality time with my wife and daughter—they’ve sacrificed a lot over the years.” As for the future? “I don’t know what new role I will pursue yet, so if you hear of anything that suits my skill set, let me know!”
While Lisa’s next adventure remains uncertain, her legacy at the Mardi Gras Film Festival is undeniable. Through her leadership, Queer Screen has flourished, bringing vital LGBTIQ+ stories to audiences far and wide.
The Canberra Season of the Mardi Gras Film Festival runs from 3-5 April 2025 at the National Film and Sound Archive.
