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Find Your Perspective
There's a rumour that we're not a very "artsy" place. Good thing it's just a rumour. Galleries, theatre groups, nostalgia museums, sculpture festivals and indigenous performances just brush the surface of a cultural canvas that goes far deeper. As they say - art is purely a matter of perspective after all. Looking for more inspiration? Check out the cultural highlights of the Gold Coast hinterland.
arts & culture
- Free Event
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08 Feb 2026
Crimes That Stay with You
Ever wondered what really lingers after the sirens fade? In this gripping, deeply human session, step inside the minds of those who’ve lived the darkest cases, not as storytellers, but as witnesses.For anyone fascinated by true crime, morality, or the strength it takes to face the unthinkable, Crimes That Stay With You is a rare chance to hear what endures long after the case is closed.
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08 Feb 2026
Cracking the Secrets to The Algorithm
Ever wondered why certain shows or videos keep you watching? Join industry leaders and creators as they break down the role of the algorithm and how AI-powered recommendations and platform systems influence what we watch, how we behave, and which stories gain attention. This session is essential for anyone interested in understanding the forces shaping the future of film, television, and digital content.
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08 Feb 2026
Becoming Wolverine with Liam McIntyre
Australian actor Liam McIntyre has brought some of the most memorable characters to life. His career spans voice work in Star Trek: Lower Decks, global hit franchise Gears of War, the upcoming Wolverine video game and Family Guy. Alongside live-action roles in Spartacus, and the upcoming Spartacus: House of Ashur.Liam will share what it takes to bring characters to life, the differences between voice work and on-set performance, and how he creates roles that connect with audiences worldwide. This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from Liam about his career, his craft, and his experience across the screen industry.Liam will join this session live via Zoom.
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08 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Anna Torv & Emma Freeman
Acclaimed actor Anna Torv (Mindhunter, The Last of Us, The Newsreader, Fringe) and director Emma Freeman (The Newsreader, Fake, Stateless, Interview with the Vampire) come together for an exclusive conversation about their creative work and careers.Currently working together on a major production in Queensland, they’ll talk through how stories move from the page to the screen, exploring performance, direction, tone and the many decisions that shape a project. They’ll discuss their experiences working on some of the most talked-about Australian and international series of the past decade, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how memorable television is made.This is a rare chance for audiences to hear from two trailblazing women, as they discuss their collaboration, the projects that have defined their careers, and the changing landscape of storytelling.first release general admission - allocation exhausted second release general admission - $10.00
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08 Feb 2026
Bruce Beresford In Conversation
Experience an intimate and illuminating conversation with legendary filmmaker Bruce Beresford, the only Australian to direct an Academy Award Best Picture winner (Driving Miss Daisy). Beresford's career spans decades of powerful storytelling across continents and genres, from pioneering the 1970s Australian film renaissance (The Adventures of Barry McKenzie, Don's Party, The Getting of Wisdom) to writing and directing this year's The Travellers. He has launched Australian talent in breakthrough roles – including Bryan Brown (Breaker Morant) and Cate Blanchett (Paradise Road) – and directed a host of acclaimed actors such as Diane Keaton, Pierce Brosnan, Jessica Lange, and Jane Fonda. His films have earned Academy Award nominations and wins for Robert Duvall (Tender Mercies), Sissy Spacek and Tess Harper (Crimes of the Heart), and Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd (Driving Miss Daisy). In this rare event, Beresford reflects on his creative journey and collaborations and shares his plans for future projects.Moderated by George Merryman.
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08 Feb 2026
Reality Check: Behind The Screens
Go beyond the headlines with your favourite reality TV stars as they reveal what really happens when the cameras aren’t rolling. Think producer tricks, staged drama, suspicious edits and the real friendships that survive the show. Hear contestants share how they prepared for the spotlight, navigated sudden fame, and handled public scrutiny after the episodes aired. Raw, unscripted, and unapologetically honest, this is the drama you never see on screen.
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08 Feb 2026
Meet Formation Effects
Showrunner, screenwriter, director, and 6-time AACTA Award winner Tony Ayres (The Home Song Stories, Clickbait, The Survivors) joins us for a discussion reflecting on over 33 years of storytelling in the ever-evolving landscape of Australian screen. Ayres will shares his experience working across film and television in a wide range of genres.Unpacking how he’s kept pace with a rapidly evolving industry and ever-changing audience tastes, to jumping head first into the streaming era to tell stories that consistently connect with local and global audiences. This is a unique opportunity to hear from one of Australia’s most influential storytellers about the art and craft of screen storytelling today.
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08 Feb 2026
Chloe Hayden on Move Over Mama
AACTA Award-winner and Heartbreak High star Chloe Hayden joins beloved Gold Coast radio host Emily Jade O’Keeffe and her daughter Millie Valentine for a special live recording of their hit podcast Move Over Mama at the AACTA Festival. Chloe will share what it means to grow up inside Australia’s screen industry, navigating fame and identity in the public eye, and taking ownership of your voice in an era where young talent is watched, scrutinised and celebrated in real time.
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08 Feb 2026
Hour by Hour - Shabana Azeez in The Pitt
Australian actress Shabana Azeez is a breakout star in HBO’s gripping medical drama, The Pitt. The series explores the moral and emotional complexities of life inside a modern hospital and won five Emmy's at the 2025 Primetime Emmy Awards.In this engaging conversation, Azeez reflects on her work in a series that balances high-stakes medicine with intimate human stories, tackling questions of ethics, resilience, and compassion under pressure. This conversation includes dynamic behind the scenes sequences and exclusive footage of The Pitt.
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08 Feb 2026
Two Years Later - World Premiere
Walk the red carpet at the gala Australian premiere of the upcoming Paramount+ series Two Years Later, a romantic comedy-drama starring Brenton Thwaites and Phoebe Tonkin, filmed entirely in Queensland.Following the screening, join special guests for an on-stage conversation exploring the creative journey behind the series - from its sun-drenched Queensland setting to its honest, hilarious take on modern love, awkward dates, and unexpected chemistry.For fans of rom-coms and homegrown stories, this premiere promises a warm, witty and intimate celebration of Australian storytelling on the global stage.Two Years Later is an eight-episode romantic comedy-drama series set in post-pandemic Brisbane, exploring the complexities of love, identity, and adulthood through the story of Emily and Ryan—two thirty-somethings whose daily flirtation on their work commute is disrupted by COVID-19. After an unexpected reunion two years later, Ryan impulsively proposes they go on eight dates to decide if they're meant to be married. Together, they navigate personal revelations, unexpected family drama, professional upheavals, and their contrasting worldviews—all while discovering genuine intimacy.5:30pm doors open6:00pm event commences
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08 Feb 2026
Next Gen of Aussie Film Stars
Meet the breakout young actors before they become household names. Australia has a long history of launching the next global screen stars, and in this special AACTA Festival session you’ll meet rising stars on the brink of major careers. Hear how they’re navigating the industry at a time when Australian talent is being discovered younger and cast in bigger roles.This is your chance to connect with the future of Australian screen storytelling and witness the next generation before the rest of the world catches up.
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08 Feb 2026
Mandy Walker AM ASC ACS: Behind the Lens
Widely celebrated as one of Australia’s most accomplished cinematographers, Mandy Walker has brought her visionary eye to films ranging from intimate Australian stories like Lantana and Tracks, to international blockbusters such as Mulan, Hidden Figures, Elvis, and Snow White.Mandy will take audiences behind the camera, breaking down key scenes from her diverse body of work. From the challenges of small-budget Australian productions to the scale and spectacle of major studio projects, she will share insights into her creative process, collaborations with directors, and the technical innovations that have defined her career.This exclusive session offers a rare opportunity to explore the artistry and vision of a cinematographer whose work has shaped both Australian and global cinema.
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08 Feb 2026
The Sound of Fury Road
Sound designer David White (Mad Max: Fury Road, The Railway Man, Dangerous Animals) is one of Australia’s most accomplished screen sound artists.David’s Oscar-winning work on Mad Max: Fury Road helped define one of the most exhilarating action films of our time. In this on-screen deconstruction, he revisits key sequences from the film to show how sound is used to tell the story, underscore emotion, build tension - and create dramatic action sequences that immerse audiences in the relentless intensity of its high-octane world.This is a rare opportunity to explore how sound shaped a modern classic, guided by the Oscar winner who brought it to life.
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08 Feb 2026
David Michôd & Antony Partos - Music in Film
Acclaimed filmmaker David Michôd and celebrated composer Antony Partos come together for a special AACTA Festival conversation exploring their creative partnership across three landmark collaborations - Animal Kingdom, The Rover and Christy. They’ll discuss how music shapes story, the creative language they’ve developed together, and how score and image combine to build emotion and atmosphere. Through an open conversation and selected clips, this session offers a rare look at one of Australian cinema’s most distinctive creative pairings.
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08 Feb 2026
In Conversation with Author Andy Weir
Bestselling author Andy Weir (The Martian, Artemis, and Project Hail Mary) beams in live to AACTA Festival ahead of Project Hail Mary’s release to share insights into his approach to storytelling and the upcoming films journey to the screen.
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08 Feb 2026
David Williamson on Writing Gallipoli
Acclaimed Queensland screenwriter and playwright David Williamson reflects on the making of Gallipoli, one of Australia’s most iconic films. In this special session, Williamson will discuss the writing process, the collaborations that shaped the screenplay, and the enduring impact of the film on Australian cinema.A rare chance to hear directly from one of the country’s most influential storytellers about the craft of screenwriting and the legacy of this landmark film.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.