There’s no time to catch your breath, Gold Coast. With the mega Commonwealth Games celebrations wrapping up soon, the 16th annual Gold Coast Film Festival is dusting off the red carpet and making final preparations to take its place in the spotlight.
The 2018 edition of the Gold Coast Film Festival gets underway next week (Tuesday 17 to Sunday 29 April), crammed with 100-plus films and events. We know your time is precious and decision-making can be tough, so we’ve scoured the program to bring you six events you shouldn’t miss at this year’s Gold Coast Film Festival.
Films, Films & More Films
Before we dive into the special events (of which there are many), the no brainer way to get involved in the Gold Coast Film Festival is by taking yourself along to one of several cinema screenings held in locations across the Coast. From Bundall’s HOTA (Home of the Arts), Event Cinemas Pacific Fair to BCC Coolangatta, you can join an exclusive screening of Breath (with Simon Baker himself on the red carpet) to New Zealand produced No Ordinary Sheila and a special Australian premiere of The Stolen. Hit up the website here for the complete line up.
When: Daily Tuesday 17 to Sunday 29 April; various times
Where: Various locations including Bundall’s HOTA, Event Cinemas Pacific Fair and BCC Coolangatta
Cost: Start at $15 for adults
For more information and to book, click here
Women In Film Luncheon
For those who relish in the opportunity to be inspired by women excelling in their chosen fields, the fourth annual Women in Film Luncheon is a gem of a date to be adding to your diary. Presented by Screen Queensland, this year’s guest speaker is Aussie-raised Hollywood veteran powerbroker and journalist, Jenny Cooney. Tuck into Bazaar’s famously interactive buffet lunch spread while rubbing shoulders with actresses, cinematographers, directors, costume designers and aspiring female talents in filmmaking.
When: Friday 20 April; 12pm
Where: Bazaar, QT Gold Coast, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Cost: $98 including buffet seafood luncheon + three-hour drinks package
For more information and to book, click here
SIPFest—Short Film Festival
Now, if nothing else whets your appetite, this event sure as hell will. The Shorts in Paradise Festival, or more affectionately known as SIPFest, sees 10-minute cinematic shorts from 12 finalists compete for $8,000 in prizes and the glory of taking the SIPFest crown. With the glitter strip as its backdrop and the Pacific Ocean as its soundtrack, the beach at Surfers Paradise will become a sweet outdoor cinema worthy of peeling yourself away from the couch. The cream of the recent London Short Film Festival crop follows SIPFest on Monday 30 April and, best of all, both events are free!
When: Sunday 22 April & Monday 30 April; from 7pm
Where: Surfers Paradise Beachfront, Surfers Paradise
Cost: Free (BYO picnic blanket and chairs)
For more information, click here
Floating Cinema
Such a crackin’ success was its inaugural 2017 event, that Gold Coast Film Festival is again teaming up with Wyndham Cruises to take the flicks to the waterways. Floating Cinema is returning with hilarious favourite, American Pie, as the 90s classic prepares to celebrate its 20th year (yes, you are that old!). If this sounds like your idea of a good time, you’ll wanna pen Thursday 26 April in the diary and jump over to the festival website as tickets have been released and will no doubt sell fast, just like a fresh baked warm apple pie. #sorrynotsorry
When: Thursday 26 April; 6pm to 10pm
Where: Wyndham Cruises, 58 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise
Cost: $19.99 (limited time only special price)
For more information and to book, click here
Fight Club At The Brewery
Held in conjunction with the Gold Coast Film Festival, Burleigh Brewing is generously hosting a FREE screening of cult ‘90s classic, Fight Club. Brad Pitt is shirtless people, should we say more? Come for the cold craft brews and food truck eats, and stay for the flick as the sun sets. Note to parents: due to the R-rated movie, Fight Club at the Brewery is an 18+ event!
When: Saturday 28 April; 5pm to 10pm
Where: Burleigh Brewing Co., 2 Ern Harley Drive, Burleigh
Cost: Free
For more information, click here
Virtual Reality
We’ve long been told it’s the future of media, so we suggest grabbing this opportunity with both hands and immersing yourself in this burgeoning world of cinematic innovation. Rounding out the final weekend, and for the first time ever, Gold Coast Film Festival is teaming up with Byron Bay Film Festival to present some of the best virtual reality content from across the globe—including a film produced right here in our backyard. Intrigued? We are so there!
When: Saturday 28 to Sunday 29 April; various times
Where: HOTA Lounge, Bundall Road, Surfers Paradise
Cost: $15
For more information and to book, click here
Recovered from your popcorn coma? How about hitting one of these favourite local bars post-event.
Image credit: Supplied