Tobin Saunders

This short film recounts the 1996 Sydney Fringe Festival's Drag Race Meet. It includes at home interviews with race hostess Vanessa Wagner plus race footage. Events include 'Clutch Bag Discuss' and '100m Hard Sand Challenge' with an assortment of dragged, wigged and painted-up competitors facing tough competition at Bondi Beach, Sydney.

When talking about the dangers of dust, Wayne tells Christine he's missing pairs of underwear. Christine remembers that her lesbian friend Lisa likes those. Wayne demands them back from Lisa, but she refuses and threatens him with a needle.

This is the story behind one of the world’s most loved films; about three unlikely Australian hero-(ine)s daring to step up from the shadows in their shimmering sequined glory and be counted. It’s the story of how a low-budget Australian film about three drag queens changed the course of history and loudly and proudly brought a celebration of gay culture to the world that continues to resonate twenty years on.