The 22nd year of Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) will immerse attendees in glamour and show them new stories.
It’s 12 days and nights of film, featuring World, Australian and Queensland Premieres, exclusive preview screenings, and filmmaking talent. There’s an impressive line-up of films, outdoor cinema, red carpet screenings, industry panels, filmmaker Q&As, and special events.
First up will be the red carpet Opening Night, with ‘The Way, My Way’ based on the best-selling Camino memoir of the same name. Author and Director Bill Bennett will join the event, alongside actress/Producer Jennifer Cluff, actor Chris Haywood, and Johnnie Walker.
To close proceedings will be the Queensland Premiere of ‘Bleeding Love’ starring Ewan McGregor, Clara McGregor and Devon McDowell. A father takes his daughter on a road trip to Santa Fe in an effort to reunite with her. They encounter interesting characters and obstacles, while sorting out their relationship.
Gold Coast Film Festival will also host gala events like the Screen Industry Gala Awards, where 2024 Chauvel Award recipient, Director Alex Proyas, will be in attendance. Plus, the GCFF Women In Film Lunch will be held at HOTA with a panel including Lynne Benzie; President Village Roadshow Studios, Veronica Fury; Executive Producer and Principal of Wildbear Entertainment and Tracey Viera; Chief Content Officer of Hoodlum.
Festival Ambassador and Gold Coast local Lincoln Lewis returns, with the world premiere of his new film ‘He Loves Me Not’, also starring Rhiannon Fish.
Festival favourite SIPFEST, the short film festival, will be held at the HOTA Outdoor Stage, showcasing 15 of the best short films from finalists’ submissions from around Australia and internationally.
Highlights throughout GCFF include the Queensland Premiere of the horror ‘Sting’, starring a giant, flesh-eating monster. . . ‘Growing Happiness’ following the journey of two farmers near Kalbar who stage a Sunflower Festival to save their farm. . . And ‘Diamond Of The Sea’ following Gold Coast Ironwoman Bonnie Hancock, embarking on a world record attempt to circumnavigate Australia in an ocean ski.
GCFF wraps its arms around the Gold Coast Screen Industry with events like In The Elevator, Script To Screen and Future Filmmakers, hosted by Bond University and Essential Screen Skills, all designed for screen professionals and students to extend their knowledge and networks.
Cinema from around the world will be showcased with unique, distinctive stories, including ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ (India), where Sanjay Leela Bhansali brings his majestic signature flair to stories of love and betrayal in the lives of courtesans in pre-independence India. Plus there are some tough stories like the World Premiere of ‘Fight To Live’, telling the story of bare-knuckle boxing champ Bec Rawlings, dominating one of the world’s toughest sports.
The story that shocked the world is brought to the screen in ‘The Lie: The Murder Of Grace Millane’.
Plus, GCFF will deliver on nostalgia with ‘My Fair Lady’.
“We have an incredible mix of national and international films as well as short films and documentaries showcasing immense talent,” Gold Coast Film Festival CEO Luke Wheatley says.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to put together a programme of incredible films and special events that we can all enjoy, from SIPFEST’s free outdoor cinema on the HOTA Outdoor Stage through to walking the red carpet with the cast and crew.”
Tickets are on sale now.
Gold Coast Film Festival is on from 17-28 April.
