Queer Screen has awarded the entire $10,000 from this year’s Completion Fund round to animated feature film Lesbian Space Princess. Queer Screen announced the 32nd Mardi Gras Film Festival program launch at the State Library of NSW.
According to the judges, the film was the standout submission. The three-person jury is unanimous in its decision to bestow it with the full grant amount.
The “queer as fuck” South Australian animated comedy recently secured a spot to premiere at the prestigious 2025 Berlinale (Berlin International Film Festival).
It will feature as part of Berlinale’s Panorama section, a program strand focused on ‘daring, unconventional and wild’ international cinema.
At the festival, Lesbian Space Princess will be eligible for the Panorama Audience Award for most popular feature film. Judged by the festival’s largest audience jury, as well as the Berlinale Teddy Award for LGTBQIA+ film.
‘A perfectly timed and beautifully executed adventure into contemporary romance’
Jury spokesperson, writer and director Sarah L. Walker (The Twelve and The Secrets She Keeps), described the project as a very worthy winner. She added that the funding will help get the film seen.
“I see Lesbian Space Princess as a perfectly timed and beautifully executed adventure into contemporary romance,” she said.
“It’s funny, clever, and broadly relatable: even the villains were drawn with humour and compassion.”
Co-writer, co-director, and co-producer Leela Varghese, who accepted an oversized novelty cheque for $10,000. Leela said the financial support provided by the Completion Fund would “make a big difference to our film.”
“Thank you so, so much, Queer Screen, for helping us get our project out into the world,” she said.
“Queer Screen is so important to the LGBTQIA+ screen community, and we’re truly ‘over the moon’ to have their support for Lesbian Space Princess.
“The belief in our project means so much to us, and we are so grateful to have an organisation that helps amplify queer voices.”
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