Out There

This film explores two urgent issues: queer visibility in regional communities and men’s mental health. As most of the Briefs boys grew up queer in regional Australia, they know the life-changing power of visibility (or the pain of its absence). Many believe that if they’d seen joyful queer art like Briefs as kids, their journeys toward self-acceptance and belonging would have been far easier. Backtrack is an opportunity to offer that visibility now, fostering much-needed intergenerational queer connections. The film also tackles the mental health crisis facing regional men—an issue felt deeply by many on the Backtrack bus. Suicide remains a leading cause of death for men in regional Australia, driven by isolation and stigma. For queer men, the risks are even greater, with higher rates of anxiety and depression. By creating spaces for honest conversations, Backtrack gently disrupts stigma and models a more open, emotionally connected masculinity.

The Backtrack tour is a powerful project rooted in personal moments of connections between members of Briefs and regional Australian communities. Through this documentary, we aim to amplify those moments, transforming them into a national conversation about queer visibility and positive masculinity. Our impact vision is to ignite meaningful dialogue across regional and metropolitan Australia through community screenings, workshops, and local partnerships. We hope to use the film as a launchpad for conversations where vulnerability is seen as strength, masculinity is redefined through empathy, and queer lives are joyfully celebrated. This vision is grounded in the belief that visibility saves lives, and that honest dialogue can lead to lasting cultural change.

Promote Queer Visibility in Regional Communities: Show the power of visibility in places where queer identities are often unseen. By featuring LGBTQIA+ performers living joyful, unapologetic lives, the tour and film offer hope to isolated young people.
Challenge Toxic Masculinity Through Broader Representation: Move beyond narrow gender norms by showcasing diverse men who embody emotional openness, care, and self-expression. The film offers an alternative to toxic masculinity, inviting audiences to embrace more expansive, inclusive identities.
Build Bridges Between Divided Communities: Show how shared experiences and open dialogue can spark empathy across social, cultural, and generational divides. The film captures real moments of connection—from drag shows in rural pubs to heartfelt chats in Men’s Sheds.
Celebrate Creativity as a Tool for Resilience and Change: Reveal how creativity and performance empower youth, build confidence, and create vital community.

The creation of this film is, in part, the creation of our impact audience. The Backtrack tour is envisioned not as a one-off event, but as an annual journey through regional Australia that enables Briefs Factory to build lasting, meaningful relationships with local communities. A cornerstone of our impact strategy is to rejoin the Backtrack tour in 2028, screening the film in the very places it was made to deepen conversations around positive masculinity and queer visibility. To strengthen our access to our impact audience, we will partner with organisations such as QLife, Twenty10, Men’s Sheds, and Mentoring Men. Together, we will support the delivery of community-led Q&As and workshops, facilitated by local voices. Our goal is to create safe, inclusive and laid back spaces where these important themes can be explored with openness and authenticity.

Join the Conversation: Inspire audiences to engage actively in local screenings, workshops, and community dialogues that foster empathy, dismantle stereotypes, and celebrate positive masculinity and queer visibility.

Reframe Masculinity: Shift the narrative from toxic masculinity to a healthier, more inclusive vision that embraces vulnerability, emotional honesty, and connection.

Support Regional Queer Voices: Mobilise individuals and organisations to uplift and invest in queer-led initiatives across regional Australia, creating safe, creative, and visible spaces where LGBTQIA+ youth can thrive.

Be an Ally: Encourage men and boys to embrace vulnerability, challenge traditional norms, and stand in genuine solidarity with queer communities by fostering understanding and inclusion.