First cab off the rank is the Gigante from director Adrian Biniez a film which story of the  lop sided infatuation late night security guard Jara (Horacio Camandule) develops for co-worker Julia (Lenor Svarcas) via CCTV. Deft and moving the film charts its course through the delicate and subtle alternating world of pre-relationship bliss and turmoil. Though slow paced this film lends itself to the slow building up of courage required to make the first move. Gigante is showing at the Regent August 8.

Now we move into completely different territory with veteran Slovak director Juraj Jakubisko's epic Bathory - the tale of one of the most prolific murderesses in history Erzebet Bathory; who is said to have bathed in the blood of her virgin victims. Visually stunning, Bathory finds one of Central Europe's best directors at the top of their game. Starring Anna Friel as Báthory and Karel Roden as her political opponent Juraj Thurzo this is Jakubisko's first English production and is the most expensive movie made in Central Europe to date. A rare treat for those interested in medieval costume dramas. Bathory is on at the Regent August 7.

From the murderers to the undead, the undoubted crowd favourite of this years BIFF has been the Norwegian Nazi Zombie flick Dead Snow. The film, which borrows heavily from the slapstick antics of genre classics such as The Evil Dead is cannily brought to life by director Tommy Wirkola and tracks the fate of eight horny as hell medical students on Easter holidays who run into a battalion of the aforementioned Nazi zombies. Gory and super fun, you'll have to get cracking to stand any chance of getting to see this one when it plays at the Regent August 8.

And last film we will take a look at is the Australian film Balibo (which incidentally is completely sold out for the festival so you will have to wait for either a broader dramatic release or for it to come out on DVD) which documents the story of the five young newsmen murdered in East Timor in 1976. Directed and co-written by Robert Connelly (The Bank) it is based on the book of the same name written by Jill Jolliffe a freelance Reuter's journalist based in East Timor at the time. The film treads territory fraught with conspiracy theories and blatant lies and goes to the core of the power of a free press, and the lengths some governments will go to, to suppress it.

The Brisbane International Film Festival which showcases the best that local and international film makers have to offer is on till August 10. For more information on all things BIFF- including session times and how to go about buying tickets go to the festivals website at www.stgeorgebiff.com.au. But most importantly make sure you get along to the movies!