Included in the 12 day festival are incredible events featuring the Gold Coast Film Festival Awards Gala including the Chauvel Award, Women in Film Lunch, Script to Screen, Emerge! Student Shorts Gala and two incredible Industry events.

GCFF will open on Wednesday April 30 from 5:30pm with the Australian Premiere of THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, a Sundance Film Festival favourite directed by James Griffiths and starring Tim Key, Tom Basden, and Carey Mulligan.

Described by the Los Angeles Times as a “warm hug” the deeply charming feature follows Charles (Tim Key), an eccentric lottery winner who lives alone on a remote island and dreams of getting his favourite musicians, McGwyer Mortimer (Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan) back together.

Closing out the festival on Sunday May 11 from 5:30pm is the World Premiere of BLUE HORIZON joining stars Pete Murray, David Cook, Damian McCoy and Chantal Elyse along with writer and director, Gold Coast’s own Josh Hale on the Red Carpet.

Filmed on the Gold Coast the story follows a successful musician, Maris Le Marcus who is facing jail time and forced into a state-run wellness centre as part of his probation. Following a chance meeting with Douglas, a resident living with severe Cerebral Palsy, both men bond over their similar upbringings and form an unlikely duo. Together they show each other that sometimes you need to step outside of your image to find yourself.

Tickets are on sale now to all Opening and Closing Night Red Carpet Galas and our incredible featured events through www.gcff.com.au and full program will be announced and tickets available from Thursday April 3.

The Gold Coast Film Festival is supported by the Queensland State Government through Screen Queensland, Australia’s Gold Coast, Tourism and Events Queensland along with Experience Gold Coast and venue partner HOTA (Home of the Arts).

Gold Coast Film Festival 2025
30 April – 11 May 2025
HOTA – Gold Coast
www.gcff.com.au

Celebrated Australian music icon Paul Kelly will perform live at the festival alongside Meg Washington, Brendan Maclean, Beddy Rays and other special guests at the How to Make Gravy – Live in Concert event on the HOTA Outdoor stage hosted by Richard Wilkins and featuring performances from the BINGE Original film soundtrack. Leigh Whannell, co-creator of the billion dollar Saw and Insidious franchises, joins AACTA Festival with an exclusive in-conversation on his work and his immense contribution to the horror genre. Back by popular demand, Australian director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) will unpack his latest project, the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man.

The Festival has also announced an exclusive discussion with the creators of the upcoming Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, with Samantha Strauss, Liz Watts, Jeffrey Walker and Que Minh Luu taking you behind the scenes of the shocking con-story centred on one the world’s first wellness influencers. Also added is a panel featuring storytellers from the Torres Strait islands, moderated by Screen Queensland’s Danielle Ah Boo, which will highlight the skill and talents of Torres Strait creatives who are redefining what it means to tell a story.

Whether you’re a fan of the macabre or an aspiring filmmaker, visionary brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes unpack Late Night With The Devil. For garden enthusiasts, presenters Costa Georgiadis and Millie Ross reveal the magic that makes Gardening Australia a household favourite. Plus Millie Holten shares the inside scoop on her viral sensation Long Head, with the creators of Lesbian Space Princess, to discuss how bold storytelling is reshaping the world of animation. For lovers of comedy, AACTA Festival presents the 25th Anniversary screening of The Dish!

The AACTA Festival 2025
5-9 February 2025
HOTA, Gold Coast
www.aactafestival.com/

Roller Coaster premiered on the Gold Coast in 2023 with the support of commissioning partners Bleach Festival and HOTA Home of the Arts, where Everybody NOW! are based as a resident ‘home’ company.

Created over two years, with over 70 free community creative workshops, performances and rehearsals, this innovative arts project brought together an award-winning artistic team, alongside hundreds of roller skaters from across South East Queensland.

The outcome was a fierce, tender and explosive production with humour, heart, and a propulsive live soundtrack based on real community stories exploring the roller coaster of contemporary life.

Roller Coaster Co-Artistic Directors Kate Baggerson, Ian Pidd and Bec Reid said, “We are delighted to win this award! We believe that participatory art-making and community storytelling can make significant positive impacts in our communities. This award attest to just that. We’re really proud that Roller Coaster as well as being a great artistic outcome has supported communities to build friendships, feel connected, listened to and improve their overall wellbeing.

To have the production supported, created and premiered on the Gold Coast, and then recognised by PAC Australia and our peers is really exciting for our organisation and for the future of the production to be created again with skating communities right across Australia.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says, “The Gold Coast’s arts and culture credentials continue to grow, and winning awards at a national level is due recognition for our growing creative community. Congratulations to Everybody NOW!, and may you continue to make an important impact in the community for many years to come.”

Local park skater Lucy Millar reflected on the impact Roller Coaster has had on her saying, “Everybody NOW created a place where everyone was welcome; where stories were welcome and people’s voices were heard. To see those stories turn into something creative was just amazing.”

Commissioning partner’s Experience Gold Coasts’, Head of Arts and Culture, Yarmila Alfonzetti said, “Roller Coaster is a shining example of how art can bring people together, creating meaningful connections and shared experiences. The PAC Australia Impact Award highlights the significant contribution of Everybody NOW! in fostering community spirit and engagement. We are so proud to have supported this production through HOTA Home of The Arts and Bleach Festival that has undoubtedly inspired our community with lasting impacts.”

The legacy and impacts of Roller Coaster continue with Everybody NOW! publishing a full Impact Report and Research paper documenting the projects outcomes in the community as well as recently filming a music video clip to a hero track from the show ‘Gonna Fit’.

Roller Coaster is a production by Everybody NOW! commissioned by BLEACH* Festival and HOTA Home of the Arts, with support from: the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative; the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, part of the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy; the City of Gold Coast, Community Bank Tugun, Cocobella and Chuffed Skates.
www.everybodynow.com.au

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) proudly announces the debut of the AACTA Festival, a four-day celebration of Australia’s vibrant screen industry, that promises an immersive experience for all, from industry professionals to film enthusiasts, school-leavers, families, and aspiring creatives – the Festival, including the AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group, will be hosted at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) from February 8-11, 2024.

With more than 70 events on the program and more to be added, the AACTA Festival will present a dynamic array of panels, meet-and-greet, screenings and activities which are predominantly free to attend. The festival will provide an opportunity to go behind the scenes of your favourite films, immerse yourself in the industry’s latest trends, meet your favourite stars, network with screen practitioners, and learn more about the exciting world of Australian film, TV, gaming, music and more.

The AACTA Industry Awards Ceremony will kick things off on Thursday February 8, followed by a day of industry events, masterclasses, and creator discussions on Friday. Saturday February 10 the AACTA Awards Ceremony will welcome all the stars on the red carpet. Finishing on Sunday February 11 with an array of screenings, live music, kids events, acting workshops, meet-and-greets, and more. Sunday will also feature the Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills, running all day and offering pathways for anyone wanting to break into the industry. It promises to be a great day out for the entire family.

Cinematic highlights include a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Matrix; an animation deconstruction of international blockbuster Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, a deep dive into the stunt work from Mad Max: Fury Road and a showcase of the upcoming BINGE Original series High Country, with Leah Purcell. Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), and producer Paul Currie will give audiences an exclusive look of their upcoming Australian film Better Man starring singer Robbie Williams. Iconic Australian musician Russell Morris (The Real Thing) will take part in an exclusive in-conversation with composer David Hirschfelder, and audiences can hear from Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid on the progress of the film franchise currently being shot in Queensland.

Many of Queensland’s top writers will attend and be showcased throughout the festival, including Trent Dalton, author of Boy Swallows Universe, and Holly Ringland author of Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. In addition to this, audiences can hear from writers Nick Earls, Lystra Rose, Mathew Condon, Richard Jameson, Tristan Michael Savage, Ben Hobson to name just a few.
The festival will also host a series of Meet the Creators events – panel discussions with internationally renowned talent including directors Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me), Warwick Thornton (The New Boy), and the team behind the hit TV show The Newsreader. Our Meet the Nominee panels offer a chance hear from some of Australia’s biggest stars, producers, and directors, nominated for a prestigious AACTA Award. The festival also features a wide range of topical industry panels covering various aspects of the screen industry, from the future of AI and streaming to First Nations truth-telling and storytelling panels. Also included are a range of online gaming ‘Let’s Play’ events, and an immersive art experience led by acclaimed painter, actor, and musician Stan Yarramunua.

There will be fun for the whole family, with a series of kids events, including a Play School LIVE event, kid’s acting workshops, face painting, live music, and a very special appearance from Queensland’s beloved Bluey.

For those looking to join the industry, the AACTA Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills will be operating all-day on Sunday and provide a comprehensive and insightful immersion into the diverse facets of the screen industry.

AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said “AACTA Festival is a must-attend event for anyone who loves Australian film, television, music, gaming, art, and pop culture. We are excited to present more than 70 events over four days celebrating the excellence of our industry. From red carpet glamour to workshops and a special kids’ line-up, it’s an invitation for everyone to step into the magic of storytelling and creativity.”

Amanda Laing, Foxtel Group Chief Content and Commercial Officer, and BINGE Managing Director said: “The AACTAs festival will provide more ways to showcase and celebrate the best of Australian storytelling and the incredible talent powering it. The Foxtel Group is proud to support this exciting new initiative.”

“The Gold Coast is one of the most prolific screen production centres in the Southern Hemisphere, with the screen sector contributing an estimated $590 million in direct and flow-on benefits for our city,” said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.

The AACTA Festival program is filled with opportunities for seasoned industry professionals, budding creators and the community alike to explore Australia’s screen sector and celebrate the Gold Coast’s leading role in it. Plan your visit, pack your popcorn, and enjoy the show!

Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO said “The AACTA Festival will bring leading local and national screen practitioners together on the Gold Coast—a renowned production and screen talent hub, and the ideal home for this event. Screen Queensland is proud to support the inaugural AACTA Festival and welcome aspiring filmmakers and audiences alike to also connect, learn and revel in this celebration of screen culture.”

AACTA Festival
8 – 11 February 2024
HOTA, Gold Coast
www.aactafestival.com

Club Vegas – The Spectacle promises to immerse audiences in a world of unsurpassed entertainment, as 22 singers, dancers, illusionists, aerialists and multi-talented performers seduce them with their jaw dropping skills, in award winning million-dollar costumes, alongside mind blowing staging including a show-stopping glittering 15-foot motorized Stiletto!

The incredible cast will share the glittering spotlight with master illusionist (Sam Powers) and dynamic singers (Jonathan Guthrie-Jones & J’aime Holland) who will be saluting many famous icons who have graced Las Vegas showroom stages.

The creative team that brings all this magic together are none other than Artistic Director, Adam Bahoudian and Helpmann Award nominated costume designer Nina Bahoudian. No stranger to the Gold Coast, this dynamic duo will be remembered for their groundbreaking productions Hidden Palace, Midnight Magic, Tempo Rouge & Zingara which transformed the cabaret scene.

Adam Bahoudian said, “We are so excited to be returning to the Gold Coast. This is going to be a very big party show with something for everyone. Have no doubt that you will be transported to a mesmerizing new realm of escapism!”

This show promises to have you laughing, dancing & singing in your seat along to the heart thumping, high-octane electric fusion of 70’s /80’s/90’s artists including Ricky Martin, David Guetta, Dua Lipa, BTS, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga and Tina Turner to name a few.

Club Vegas – The Spectacle
Saturday 14th October 2023, 2pm and 8pm
The Star, Gold Coast
www.premier.ticketek.com.au

Written and created by Richard O’Brien, The Rocky Horror Show has become one of the world’s favourite musicals and the only contemporary rock musical to celebrate 50 years on stage.

Seen by over 30 million people worldwide, performed in over 30 countries, on every continent and has been translated into more than 20 languages.

Ready to thrill you with its frothy fun, this is the boldest bash of them all, so sharpen those stilettos for the rockiest ride of your life. Follow squeaky-clean sweethearts Brad and Janet on an adventure they’ll never forget. Bursting at the seams with timeless classics, including the Time Warp, it’s a guaranteed party!

The Rocky Horror Show
From September 2, 2023
The Star, Broadbeach
www.rockyhorror.com.au

In a world exclusive exhibition, Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection, New York, pairs these three superstars alongside artists inspired by their legacy. Together they paint a unique picture of Pop Art across the past 60 years to present Australia.

Pop Art is larger than life. Often witty and always insightful, it comments on commercial and popular culture by reimagining the world around us – transforming the everyday into the extraordinary.

In the spirit of Pop Art, this exhibition is adventurous and shamelessly bold, featuring legendary artists that defined a generation. Walk the creative cross-roads between art and life and ask yourself – what, actually, is Pop?

In Australia for 15 weeks only and exclusive to HOTA, come together to discover a story of Pop and experience this incredible collection of works up close, direct from New York. Be part of something extraordinary.

The featured artists are – Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Katherine Bernhardt, Kwesi Botchway, George Condo, Damien Hirst, Kaws, Joel Mesler, Richard Prince, Tom Sachs, Julian Schnabel, Mickalene Thomas and Tom Wesselmann.

The Legends of Pop Art Exhibition
18th February – 4th June 2023
HOTA, Surfers Paradise
www.hota.com.au

James has filmed a TED Talk which went on to become the fastest ever to reach over ten million views. Currently at 52.4m views and climbing, the talk sees James narrate an hilarious exchange with an email spammer who offered to cut him in on a hot deal.

The former Apple Store Genius brings us Tentative, a brand-new show, full of even more pranks, scams and emails.

“Gleefully, brazenly cheeky” (The Scotsman), the YouTube star and best-selling author delivers unashamedly nerdy, creative and cheeky comedy.

“Tears-down-the-face funny” ★★★★ – The Sunday Herald

“A wicked sense of humour… I laughed my ass off” New York Times

Brisbane Comedy Festival
Brisbane Powerhouse – Visy Theatre
21-22 March 2020
www.brisbanecomedyfestival.com

Gold Coast Laughs Festival
HOTA – Paradise Showroom
20 March 2020
www.gclaughs.com.au

The powerful production, comprising brilliant songs, stunning video footage and an emotive story, has become one of the most talked about musical and theatrical events since its world premiere in 2014. It is a vibrant and stirring show with humanity and heart. The Director of the Australian War Memorial, Dr Brendan Nelson, is Patron of the Rolling Thunder Vietnam tour in 2020.

“The show brings to life stories of courage, endurance, sacrifice and love in the context of the Vietnam War,” Dr Nelson said. “The soundtrack of the show is the pulse of this generation; music that is magnificent and uplifting… Rolling Thunder Vietnam should be seen not just by the men and women who were young in the ‘60s and ‘70s but by their children and grand-children. To see this show is to understand us, who we are now, and one of the most significant events that changed and shaped us.”

Under the musical direction of Chong Lim, Rolling Thunder Vietnam earned plaudits from audiences and critics alike. In an era of political uncertainty and terrorist attacks, the show about social unrest, uncertainty, loss and the value of connection, is as resonant and timely as ever.
Rolling Thunder Vietnam showcases an outstanding cast, including TOBY FRANCIS (Once, Kinky Boots)TOM OLIVER (Velvet) and MATT PEARCE (Rent, Calamity Jane).

Announcing the 2020 season of Rolling Thunder Vietnam, producer Rebecca Blake said that the unique show had formed a special relationship with audiences since bursting on the scene at QPAC in 2014.

“The great songs of the era and the passionate story of resilience and love at the heart of Rolling Thunderstruck a chord with audiences throughout Australia. Since 2016, many people have kept asking when the production would return.

“The incredibly emotional responses from the Vets and their families have been overwhelming, and it’s an honour to bring the show that has come to mean so much to them, back to the stage next year… The production appeals to a wide audience and young audiences love the music and storytelling as much as anyone.”

The season includes performances in Geelong, Brisbane, Gold Coast Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.

The soul-stirring production features many of the greatest rock songs ever written and produced, including classics by John Fogerty, Steppenwolf, Buffalo Springfield, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Kris Kristofferson, Gladys Knight and Paul Simon. They include, Fortunate Son, The Letter, Magic Carpet Ride, Help Me Make it Through the Night, Born to Be Wild and Bridge Over Troubled Water.

In its evocation of conscription, turmoil, protest and homecoming, Rolling Thunder Vietnam draws audiences inside the lives of young men on the battlefront and their families and loved ones at home. The Vietnam War was the world’s first televised war and gave rise to many of the most unforgettable songs of the 20th century.

Rolling Thunder Vietnam, written by Bryce Hallett (Freeway – The Chet Baker Journey) and directed by David Berthold (outgoing Brisbane Festival artistic director), was inspired by numerous interviews with Vietnam War veterans, actual letters and historic research.

Rolling Thunder Vietnam 2020
GEELONG – Geelong Arts Centre, Friday 13 & Saturday 14 March
BRISBANE – QPAC Concert Hall, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19 March
GOLD COAST – The Star Gold Coast, Saturday 21 March
MELBOURNE – Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne, Wednesday 25 March
CANBERRA – Canberra Theatre, Friday 27 & Saturday 28 March
SYDNEY – State Theatre, Tuesday 31 March
SYDNEY – Coliseum Theatre, West HQ, Friday 3 & Saturday 4 April

www.rollingthundervietnam.com

The 2019 Festival will screen 16 brand new features and three retrospective classics across Perth (25-30 October), Brisbane (5-13 November), Canberra(6-10 November), Sydney (7-17 November), Melbourne (8-17 November), Gold Coast (9-10 November) & Adelaide (14-17 November).

“We’re thrilled to bring you the best Russian cinema of 2019! This year’s program features the distinctive perspectives of Russian filmmakers, showcasing both seasoned cinematic legends and the voices of rising stars,” Festival Director Nicholas Maksymow said. “From scintillating spy thrillers, to irreverent romantic comedies and avant-garde arthouse drama, this is one of our strongest programs yet.”

As is tradition with the Russian Resurrection Film Festival, audiences across Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide and Canberra will be treated to a stellar opening night film accompanied by the biggest and wildest opening night party. Leave your inhibitions at the door and dive headfirst into a Russian extravaganza teeming with ice cold vodka, tasty traditional delicacies, dancing and raucous live entertainment.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Big budget fantasy adventure Journey to China, sees international action-legends Jackie Chan (Rush Hour) and Arnold Schwarzenegger (Terminator) join forces on a supernatural journey from London to China jam-packed with breathtaking discoveries, bizarre creatures, Chinese princesses, deadly martial arts masters and a Dragon King.

Audiences can also look forward to historical drama Beanpole, which earned director Kantemir Balagov the Un Certain Regard Best Director Award and the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Film. Set during the devastation of World War II in Soviet-era Leningrad, the film is a powerful exploration of the lasting psychological, financial and physical impacts of war on society.

ACTION
Mind-blowing stunts abound in thrill-a-minute spy drama Hero starring local favourite Alexander Petrov (Attraction) as a former Secret Service student forced to run for his life after being double-crossed by his agency; historic-epic Tobol, chronicles a Tsar guard of the Russian Empire’s perilous journey to a distant fortress in wild Siberia where he finds both romance and mortal danger; and the controversial must-see war-drama Leaving Afghanistan, which has drawn criticism from some Russian politicians for its an unvarnished portrayal of the real life events that led to the USSR withdrawal from the Soviet-Afghan war in 1989.

COMEDIES
This year’s program features a stellar selection of comedies including: the razor-sharp Mistresses, an empowered revenge story about three women who team up to take down the philandering ex-lovers of jilted women; Another Woman, a character-driven comedy chronicling a woman’s desperate plot to win back her husband via any means necessary; and How I Became Russian, an irreverent rom-com about the increasingly ludicrous lengths a Chinese man must go to in order to win over the ultra-conservative family of his Russian bride to be.

DRAMAS
Dramas from award winning filmmakers include: Golden Eagle Award winner Valery Todorovsky’s (Hipsters) Odessa, a nostalgic examination of a dysfunctional family forced to spend time together when a cholera outbreak sends their city into lockdown; and Sochi Open Russian Film Festival Grand Prize winner Boris Akopov’s The Bull, a taut arthouse drama set in the 1990s that recaptures the hostile spirit of post-Soviet Russia through the eyes of a young gang leader embattled by his brushes with the law.
Not to be missed are impactful dramas: Temporary Difficulties, a challenging exploration of neglect, resentment and revenge based on a man born with a physical disability and his father; and moving melodrama Above the Sky, a sophisticated and visually resplendent romance about the complex and conflicting emotional experiences of children and their parents during adolescence.

THRILLERS
Edge-of-your-seat nail biters include: Outbreak, a gripping medical thriller about a family trapped in Moscow during the emergence of an unknown killer virus that paralyses the city; and high-stakes disaster thriller Breakaway, about a group of friends whose exciting New Year’s Eve plans turn deadly when their cable car breaks down above an icy abyss.

ANIMATION
Move over Frozen! Kids can look forward to the beautiful and uniquely Russian animation style of Snow Queen: Mirrorlands. In this captivating new instalment to the series, a powerful king loses his family at the hands of the villainous snow queen. He retaliates by banning all magic from the realm – trapping all the magicians in the treacherous Mirrorlands. A non-magical girl must embark on a mission to restore peace and magic to the land.

HORROR
Those yearning for spine-tingling horror will be treated to Kirill Sokolov’s award-winning 2019 Sydney Film Festival title Why Don’t You Just Die. The film chronicles a night of blood spurting mayhem that takes place when a group of disgruntled misfits are brought together under one roof. Set in one apartment, the film is a spectacularly gruesome non-linear carnival of carnage with a wicked injection of dark humour and stylistic nods to Tarantino.

RETROSPECTIVE
RRFF will present three retrospective features from influential Russian director Pavel Lungin’s remarkable catalogue. One of the few Soviet filmmakers to successfully make the transition to the post-Soviet period and to flourish under the new conditions. He has crafted a broad range of films from the masterly, epic tales of The Island (2006), Tsar (2009) Queen of Spades (2016) to hilarious tragi-comedies that capture the real world foibles of Russians from all walks of life and position him as one of the great auteurs of new Russian cinema. In 2019 we explore some of his early works.

Films screening as part of the retrospective program include: Lungin’s debut feature, winner of the 1990 Cannes Film Festival award for Best Director, Taxi Blues about the unlikely friendship between an alcoholic intellectual Jewish musician and a bitter, tormented, vaguely anti-Semitic taxi driver; hilarious melodrama The Wedding, about a couple of high school sweethearts whose dream wedding devolves into chaos at the hands of meddling relatives and a series of unlikely mishaps; and dramedy Roots, about a conman who tricks wealthy Jewish foreigners into purchasing “heritage” trips to meet lost family members abroad, only to have them meet fictional relatives.

Russian Resurrection Film Festival 2019
PERTH – Friday 25 October – Wednesday 30 October, Event Cinemas Innaloo
SYDNEY – Thursday 7 – Sunday 10 November, Event Cinemas George Street and Burwood
BRISBANE – Tuesday 5 – Wednesday 13 November, Event Cinemas Myer Centre
GOLD COAST – Saturday 9 November – Sunday 10 November, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre
CANBERRA – Wednesday 6 November – Sunday 10 November, Capitol Cinemas Manuka
MELBOURNE – Friday 8 November – Sunday 17 November, The Capital Melbourne
ADELAIDE – Thursday 14 November – Sunday 17 November, GU House Adelaide
www.russianresurrection.com