In its 20th year, Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) will span the entire city, from Coomera to Coolangatta.
The programme features world and Australian premieres, preview screenings and filmmaking talent in its line-up of films, pop-up cinemas, red carpet screenings, industry panels, filmmakers Q&As and special events.
Celebration screenings will be peppered throughout the 20th anniversary festival including ‘Scooby Doo’ and ‘Blue Crush’ each celebrating their 20th anniversaries.
Meanwhile, the red carpet will be rolled out at HOTA, Home Of The Arts, as cast and crew assemble for the Opening Night film (and Queensland premiere of) ‘How To Please A Woman’.
The film, from award-winning director Renee Webster, features an all-star Australian/international cast including Sally Philips, Erik Thomson, Tasma Walton and Cameron Daddo. It’s a delightfully entertaining, at times outright hilarious film about second chances.
Then, to close things off will be ‘Bosch & Rockit’, a coming-of-age story set against Australia’s surf coast. Cast and crew will assemble on the red carpet for this debut feature/Queensland premiere from Tyler Atkins, starring Luke Hemsworth, Isabel Lucas, Leeanna Walsman and upcoming pro-surfer Rasmus King.
More films are set to debut throughout the festival, too. Films such as the world premiere of ‘The Curious Case Of Dolphin Bay’ and the Australian premiere of ‘Waterman’, a documentary narrated by Jason Momoa.
'Waterman'
GCFF’s world cinema offering includes the Australian premiere of ‘Karmalink’, a Cambodian sci-fi drama, the Australian premiere of ‘Casablanca Beats’ from Morocco, and the Queensland premiere of Cannes award winner ‘Murina’.
Leah Purcell’s debut feature film ‘The Drover’s Wife The Legend Of Molly Johnson’, inspired by the Henry Lawson poem, gets a special red carpet screening. Leah is also the recipient of this year’s Gold Coast Film Festival Chauvel Award.
Gold Coast Film Festival’s 2022 Ambassador is Lincoln Lewis.
“It is a true honour to be an ambassador for this year’s festival. I have filmed movies and TV series here on the Gold Coast throughout my career and it is wonderful to celebrate the immensely talented actors and filmmakers we have right on our door step,” Lincoln says. “I love the Gold Coast, what a brilliant back drop for our festival, I can’t wait for everyone to come out and celebrate our industry.”
'Casablanca Beats'
2022’s special events calendar sees the return of a festival favourite, SIPFest Short Film Festival at Coolangatta Beach, the Women In Film Lunch, and Fright Night, which this year will bring ‘Zombieland’ and ‘Shaun Of The Dead’ back to the screen.
“We have an incredible mix of national and international films as well as short films and documentaries starring some big names and showcasing immense talent.” GCFF CEO Josh Martin says.
“Celebrating our 20 years is a wonderful milestone, and our team has worked tirelessly to put together a program of incredible films and special events that we can all enjoy from free beachside cinemas through to walking the red carpet with the stars.”
“The prestigious Screen Industry Gala Awards will return at Warner Bros. Movie World, where we will celebrate the Festival’s award winners and finalists alongside an In Conversation with Director and Chauvel Winner Leah Purcell.”
“Pitch In Paradise will also take place with filmmakers invited to pitch their work as well as a great programme of free industry panels designed for emerging filmmakers and industry students and professionals.”
Gold Coast Film Festival 2022 takes place from 20 April-1 May.
