Movie buffs, assemble! You are invited to indulge your guilty pleasure over two jam-packed days for the third annual Sanctuary Film Festival at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast on Saturday November 25 and Sunday November 26.

This year, the event steps it up a notch with the debut of a free all-day outdoor film extravaganza on Saturday November 25, featuring roving entertainment, workshops and a unique kids film festival, culminating in a showcase of 14 thought-provoking short films by talented emerging Australian and international filmmakers. All up, there are a total of 30 films across categories including feature films, shorts and documentaries have been shortlisted by the Sanctuary Film Festival.

One of the festival highlights will undoubtedly be The Telegram – a highly celebrated film by BAFTA Los Angeles winner and Australian Academy Awards nominee James Francis Khehtie, starring Jack Thompson, Gary Sweet and Sigrid Thornton.

Sanctuary Film Festival kicks off at 11:00 am on Saturday with performers and musicians creating a carnival atmosphere, with two industry-inspired workshops running throughout the day to spark the imagination of budding young actors and film fans. Kids can channel their Hollywood actor during the Star In A Film workshop, or try their hand at creating looks both ghoulish and glamorous at the Special FX Make-Up session, hosted by a professional artist. Workshops will be held each day between 12:00–4:00 pm. Then, from 4:00–5:00 pm, families will enjoy a special selection of animated films just for young ones, before the red carpet is rolled out for the headline short films from 7:00 pm.

For those wishing to dial up the glamour, a limited number of VIP tickets are available for $80 each, including exclusive red-carpet entry to the short film festival along with drinks and canapes, as well as entry to the documentary and feature showing at Illusions Theatre Sanctuary Cove on Sunday November 26.