The Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) unveils their fantastic program with 5 World, 11 Australian and 4 Queensland Premieres along with the return of SIPFEST: Shorts in Paradise in this year’s festival, running between April 30th and May 11th, 2025, at HOTA, Home of the Arts.
Included in the 12-day festival are some incredible events featuring the Gold Coast Film Festival Awards Gala including the Chauvel Award (this year honouring The Dry director Robert Connolly), Women in Film Lunch, Script to Screen, Emerge! Student Shorts Gala and two jam packed industry events alongside Red-Carpet screenings, and filmmaker Q&As.
The Red Carpet will be rolled out for Opening Night on Wednesday April 30 from 5:30pm for 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.
Closing out the festival on Sunday May 11 from 5:30pm is the World Premiere of Blue Horizon, where stars Pete Murray (the musician making his feature film debut), David Cook, Damian McCoy and Chantal Elyse, along with writer and director, Gold Coast’s own Josh Hale, will grace the red carpet.
Excitingly, GCFF brings their beloved native singer, songwriter, and television personality, Peter André, back home to walk the Red Carpet at the World Premiere of Jafaican. In his first lead role in a feature film, the Benowa State High graduate’s bold new comedy-drama is packed with heart and high stakes. André stars as Gazza, a small-time crook desperate to raise £35,000 for his gran’s care. When he stumbles upon a risky tip, Gazza hatches a daring plan – mastering Jamaican culture in just 21 days to pull off an audacious fraud spanning London and Jamaica; André will also treat guests to a pop-up mini concert as he performs the title track of the film prior to the screening (and, hopefully, maybe a “Mysterious Girl” encore).
This year will also see the return of Festival Ambassador and Gold Coast local, Lincoln Lewis, who’ll be on hand to present the World Premiere of his latest feature film, Hagar’s Hut, also starring Kasey Chisholm and directed by Stephen Osborne; the gripping drama following Skye, a young girl escaping abuse, who finds refuge in the wild where she meets the mysterious Xan. As reality blurs with illusion, Hagar’s Hut delivers a powerful tale of resilience and survival.
Award-winning star of film, television, and theatre, Erik Thomson will walk the Red Carpet at the Queensland premiere of Kangaroo Island, joined by director Timothy David. Starring Rebecca Breeds as struggling actress Lou Wells, the film follows her reluctant return to Kangaroo Island at the urging of her estranged father, Rory (Thomson). As family tensions rise and long-buried secrets emerge, Lou discovers that no matter how far you go, home is always part of you.
Writer, director, producer and actress Jane Larkin’s powerful film The Edge will also have its World Premiere. Starring Australian Powerlifter Lily Riley and Japanese Paralympic Swimmer Mei Ichinose, the film is set in the world of elite sport and dives deep into themes of friendship, heritage, sexuality, and morality, offering a gripping and emotional portrayal of life in and beyond competition.
Inspired by true events, the Australian Premiere of My Eyes will be supported by the filmmakers on the Red Carpet and followed by a Q&A session. This deeply moving family drama stars Adam Garcia (Coyote Ugly, Bootmen) and Tsu Shan Chambers (Suka, Remnant), delivering a powerful story about the strength of unconditional love.
If you’ve ever wanted to go behind the scenes of the Australian Open and see what goes into becoming a coveted ball kid, GCFF delivers the Australian Premiere of Ballkids, where you follow the sweaty, teary and ultimately triumphant journey of the country’s best ball kids as they progress through local and national trials. A Q&A with the filmmakers will also take place after the screening.
In the festival’s continuation of celebrating bold Australian storytelling, this year will also proudly host the Australian Premieres and Red Carpet Galas of My Tai, Carnal Vessels, and Carmen & Bolude. These powerful films showcase diverse voices, compelling narratives, and fearless filmmaking, each bringing a unique perspective to the big screen. With star-studded premieres and exclusive filmmaker appearances, these must-see events promise an unforgettable celebration of homegrown talent.
Documentary storytelling is a vital part of cinema, offering powerful insights into real life stories, cultures, and issues. This year’s festival is proud to showcase a compelling selection of documentaries, including the Australian Premiere of 7 Beats Per Minute, following freediving champion Jessea Lu, who nearly died during a world-record attempt, and Pavements, about the iconic 90s indie band which appears to be just another music documentary…until it isn’t.
The festival this year will also showcase a diverse selection of international films that celebrate storytelling from around the world. This year’s programme features Cottontail (UK, Japan), a heartfelt journey of grief and tradition; Funny Birds (France), a charming cross-generational comedy; and Irena’s Vow (Canada, Poland), a powerful true story of courage during World War II.
Audiences will also experience Together To 35, the delightful French comedy Jane Austen Wrecked My Life, and the beautifully animated coming-of-age tale A Greyhound of a Girl (Ireland/Italy); these films highlighting the richness of global storytelling, offering audiences a chance to explore unique cultures and perspectives through cinema.
GCFF CEO Luke Wheatley expressed his excitement in sharing this year’s program, noting, “(This year) is set to be our most exciting yet, with a bold and diverse programme that celebrates incredible storytelling from Australia and around the world. From red carpet galas and world premieres to inspiring industry events, GCFF continues to champion filmmakers, connect audiences, and showcase the Gold Coast as a vibrant hub for cinema. We can’t wait to welcome film lovers, industry professionals, and storytellers to experience the magic of the festival.”
For more information on ticket availability, screening sessions and Opening and Closing Night Red Gala Carpet events, head to the official GCFF website here.
