Brisbane International Film Festival has been “paused” for 2026 and has parted ways with its executive director.
Screen Queensland announced the cancellation, which it said comes after “extensive sector feedback” and would allow time to create “a new operating model” for BIFF in 2027.
The announcement ends the brief tenure of For Film’s Sake, delivery partner of the 2025 festival, and BIFF executive director Sophie Mathisen.
“We thank For Film’s Sake for its energetic work and contributions to the 2025 festival,” Screen Queensland chief executive Jacqui Feeney said.
She said Screen Queensland had “listened to feedback” and it was clear more time was needed to move BIFF forward.
“Our vision is still very clear in that we want to create a festival that reflects the energy, diversity and ambition of this extraordinary city as it steps onto the world stage ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Feeney said.
The announcement comes after criticisms of the 2025 BIFF, which was delivered in 11 weeks and launched just one month ahead of its November timing.
The festival’s small-scale and truncated schedule over one long weekend, with clashes between key screenings, were also criticised.
A festival screening of shark-themed films Jaws and Beast of War at Brisbane’s Streets Beach was cancelled shortly after being announced.
Mathisen had earlier warned the festival would be smaller in scale but hoped to use BIFF to create “real networks between the local industry and the global filmmaking community”.
Comment has been sought from Mathisen.
BIFF has been run under a tendering process since 2017 and was variously run by Palace Cinemas, GOMA and Film Fantastic before For Film’s Sake took over.
Brisbane film programmer and founder of film society Container, John Edmond, said it was clear the tender process hadn’t worked for the festival.
“We support Screen Queensland’s decision to reset the process. Any kind of process that brings it into alignment with Melbourne International Film Festival or Sydney Film Festival’s governance norms and success is to be commended,” he said.
Screen Queensland said it was moving away from the current licensing model to lead a coalition of “key partners and stakeholders” to co-design a future-focused festival.
“We look forward to welcoming audiences and the Queensland screen sector back to the festival in 2027,” Feeney said.
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