For the first time in ten years, the Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF) has had to cancel a film presentation due to government censorship, following a decision by the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) to deny exemption from classification for the shorts package, The Erotic Films of Peter de Rome.

“The MQFF is terribly disappointed not to be able to show Melbourne audiences the Peter de Rome shorts compilation,” Festival Director Lisa Daniel said in a statement. “It provided a fascinating contrast with contemporary gay erotic cinema, and De Rome’s art-house influence was obvious and inspiring.”

“The decision was probably made on the basis on the erotic nature of the films; the OFLC have pretty stringent guidelines about what can be shown Ms Daniels later explained to MCV. “I have to say I haven’t got a problem with the OFLC overall; it’s to do with the structure of governing. It’s just a shame the government has to be involved in what is essentially an R-rated festival.”

In September 2007, lesbian film Ashley and Kisha: Finding the Right Fit was also refused festival exemption by the OFLC for the Melbourne Underground Film Festival.

A spokesperson from the OFLC told MCV she did not have specific information on why De Rome’s films had been denied exemption.

The session will be replaced with the Australian premiere screening of Whirlwind, directed by Richard LeMay, which won the 2007 Audience Choice Award for Best Feature at the Out on Film Festival in Atlanta.

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