CELEBRATE CINEMA IN 2016 AT ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S TOP FILM DESTINATIONS
Exclusive screenings, interactive workshops, trivia, networking events and inaugural YScreen at
the 14th annual Gold Coast Film Festival 31 March – 10 April 2016
Film lovers, aspiring filmmakers, families and students around Australia will be spoilt for choice at the 2016 Gold Coast Film Festival, which will see more than 75 film and film related events take place over nine different locations across the city.
The 10-day Gold Coast Film Festival, held from 31 March – 10 April, will feature a host of action-packed indoor and outdoor events including SIPFest, an annual short film competition transforming Surfers Paradise beach into a vibrant and unique cinema, featuring 10-minute cinematic masterpieces by emerging filmmakers from around Australia.
YScreen will make its debut at the Gold Coast Film Festival this year, with a program of entertaining and intelligent films and workshops for children and teens, set to encourage young audiences to become active viewers, stimulate critical discussion of film in classrooms and provide an insight into other cultures and ways of life.
Also part of the inaugural YScreen is Monster Zoo, an augmented reality workshop for kids interested in filmmaking and gaming. On Friday 8 April, Monster Zoo will give children aged 6 – 12 the opportunity to embark on an augmented and reality scavenger hunt to create a documentary about their search for invisible endangered monsters at Robina Community Centre.
The workshop will include a briefing, an augmented reality adventure experience through different levels of a building, film editing and a screening of their documentary for friends and family.
Other special events popping up throughout the Festival include the prestigious Chauvel Award, Women In Film screenings and luncheon, movie trivia night and free community screenings.
The Gold Coast’s flagship film festival will also host a range of intimate workshops and seminars for filmmakers, aspiring filmmakers and actors, giving people the opportunity to learn from Australia’s leading producers, writers and directors.
Tickets for all films and events go on sale Tuesday 1 March, coinciding with a full program of film and events announcement.
FOR FILM LOVERS
Opening Night
Date and time: Thursday 31 March, 6pm red carpet for a 6:45pm screening
Location: The Art Centre Gold Coast
Tickets: Tickets available from 1 March at gcfilmfestival.com
Walk the red carpet on opening night alongside actors, filmmakers and film crew, followed by a special screening to officially welcome the beginning of an action-packed 10-day festival.
SIPFest (Shorts in Paradise Film Festival)
Date and time: Sunday 3 April, 6.30pm
Location: Surfers Paradise Beach
Cost: FREE, no booking required
SIPFest, otherwise known as the Shorts in Paradise Festival, is an annual showcase of the best short films from across Australia and is a key event of the Gold Coast Film Festival.
SIPFest transforms Surfers Paradise beach into a vibrant and unique cinema, delivering a unique outdoor film experience like no other in Australia. With sand below and stars above, the crowd will be captivated by 10-minute cinematic masterpieces by emerging filmmakers from around the country.
The short films will compete for $10,000 in cash prizes, judged by a panel of film industry experts. If you miss Sunday’s screening and presentation, hop down to the beach on Monday 4th April for SIPFEST REPLAY from 6.30pm.
Seniors Morning Tea
Date and time: Tuesday 5 April, 10am
Location: Birch Carol & Coyle Cinemas Coolangatta
Tickets: $9 – tickets available from 1 March at gcfilmfestival.com
With a number of outstanding films set to hit the screens across the 10-day festival, seniors can book a ticket at Birch Carol & Coyle Cinemas in Coolangatta to enjoy a delightful morning tea followed by a screening from the Gold Coast Film Festival’s library of special pictures.
Movie Trivia Night
Date and time: Thursday 7 April, 6:30pm
Location: Stingray Bar & Lounge at QT Hotel Gold Coast
Tickets: $12 booked online with complimentary food platters. Minimum two and maximum five people per team.
Are you a movie buff? Do you carry a bag full of interesting and trivial film facts alongside your popcorn? Enjoy a good laugh and a fun night with friends? Then Movie Trivia Night at the Gold Coast Film Festival is for you. Join trivia goers at QT Hotel’s Stingray Bar & Lounge for an entertaining night filled with lucky door prizes, delicious food and drinks.
QPOW! Movies in the Park
Location: Victoria Park, Broadbeach
Tickets: Free
Dates and times:
Friday 8 April, 6pm
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Saturday 9 April, 6pm and 8 pm
E.T. and Ghostbusters
Grab a picnic blanket and the popcorn and head to Broadbeach park to enjoy a night under the stars watching all-time classics and family favourites Harry Potter, Ghostbusters and E.T. on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 April. All ages welcome.
FOR FILMMAKERS AND ASPIRING FILMMAKERS
Women In Film Luncheon
Date and time: Friday 1 April, 12pm – 3pm
Location: Bazaar at QT Hotel
Tickets: $95 – tickets available from 1 March at gcfilmfestival.com
The Gold Coast Film Festival’s Women in Film Luncheon brings together cinematographers, directors, costume designers, actresses and anyone interested in promoting and supporting female talent in the industry. Attendees will enjoy an afternoon hearing from a selection of highly respected guest speakers, while they relishing in a delicious lunch, networking and socialising.
In 2014, women compromised of only 20% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors and cinematographers working on theatrically released films that year, so there is work to be done within the industry to address this imbalance.
SIPFest (Shorts in Paradise) Competition
Date and time: Sunday 3 April, 6.30 pm
Location: Surfers Paradise Beach
Tickets: FREE
SIPFest is an annual showcase of the best short films from across Australia and is a key event of the Gold Coast Film Festival. With most professional filmmakers beginning their career on the set of a short film, SIPFest provides an opportunity to identify and reward talented emerging filmmakers both locally and from around Australia.
Thrillers, dramas, comedy, documentary and more of a classification M or below will be judged by a panel of industry experts and awarded $10,000 in prizes. The audience can also cast their vote on the night for the people's choice award.
Entries are now open for 2016 SIPFest and close 14 Feburary 2016. Finalists will be notified 22 February. To enter, submit your entry by visiting www.gcfilmfestival.com/sipfest
Monster Zoo – Augmented Reality for Kids workshops
Date and times: Friday 8 April
Location: Robina Community Centre
Tickets: FREE – booking required on gcfilmfestival.com from 1 March
The Monster Zoo is an augmented reality filmmaking adventure workshop for children aged 6 – 12, combining filmmaking with gaming and is part of the Gold Coast Film Festival’s inaugural YScreen program.
Monster Zoo is a 1.5-hour augmented and reality scavenger hunt where kids get the opportunity to create a documentary about their search for invisible endangered monsters. Children are taken through a briefing, an exciting augmented reality adventure experience through different levels of a building, film editing and a screening of their documentary for friends and family.
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Accommodation
Visitors travelling to the Gold Coast for the 2016 Gold Coast Film Festival can book their stay at the luxurious QT Hotel, in the heart of Surfers Paradise and only a short-drive to each of the Festival’s event locations. Special GCFF room rates begin at $185 per night. To book online, please visit www.qthotels.com.au and enter the promo code ‘GCFFWEB’.
For further information about the 2016 GCFF, please visit www.gcfilmfestival.com.