Geelong’s biggest film festival has launched its 2025 program this week in a celebration of film excellence, diversity and representation.
With more than 10 feature length and 60 short films from Australia and around the world, the Geelong Pride Film Festival (GPFF) will run from May 1 to 11 at Geelong Arts Centre (GAC), The Pivotonian Cinema and Platform Arts.
The festival also includes social gatherings, panel discussions and a performance by Australia’s only large format LGBTIQA+ concert band, The Melbourne Rainbow Band.
The festival’s opening night will centre around short film collection Rainbow Shorts, which includes Geelong-made animated film Clover.
One of Australia’s biggest regional LGBTIQA+ film festivals, the not-for-profit, volunteer-run GPFF is now in its eighth year.
Festival director Stephen Ryan, who has been at the helm of the festival since its inception, said the journey had been “really rewarding” so far.
“Over the eight years the festival has changed a bit; everyone’s habits of going to the cinema have changed since COVID, and the amount of films available on streaming platforms has grown,” he said.
“So it’s about coming together with community to watch the small, independent films, the Australian made short films, and feature films from all around the world that don’t get distributed to streaming services.
“About 10 years ago there weren’t really a lot of events or social activities for LGBTIQA+ people in Geelong.
“There’s something about living in a region, living in a city that has these kinds of events, you can see that you live in a place where you’re accepted and welcomed.
“So I think this festival means more than just the films.”
Visit gpff.org.au for tickets and the full program of events.
Matt Hewson
