Queensland’s biggest celebration of cinema, the Gold Coast Film Festival, is back at HOTA from April 17 to 28.

Gold Coast Film Festival 2024 full program is now available and the line-up showcases 12 days and nights of film featuring World, Australian and Queensland premieres, exclusive preview screenings and filmmaking talent with an impressive line-up of exciting films, outdoor cinema, red carpet screenings, industry panels, filmmaker Q&As, and special events.

The Red Carpet will be rolled out for Opening Night on Wednesday April 17 from 5:30pm for the Queensland Premiere of Bill Bennett’s captivating film; THE WAY, MY WAY.

Based on the best-selling Camino memoir of the same title, THE WAY, MY WAY follows one man’s extraordinary journey along the 800km pilgrim’s trail, the Camino de Santiago in Spain. As he searches for meaning, he discovers that the answers he seeks lie right in front of him, one step at a time.

Joining the event will be Author and Director, Bill Bennett, along with Actress and Producer, Jennifer Cluff, Actor Chris Haywood (Sleeping Beauty, Muriel’s Wedding, Wolf Creek), and legend Johnny Walker Camino.

Closing out the festival on Sunday April 28 from 5:30pm is the Queensland Premiere and Red-Carpet Gala: BLEEDING LOVE starring Ewan McGregor, Clara McGregor and Devyn McDowell. In an effort to reunite with his daughter after a period of absence, a father takes her on a road trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Along the way they encounter some interesting characters and obstacles while sorting out their relationship.

The festival will host gala events such as the Screen Industry Gala Awards which will take place at the very heart of Australian filmmaking, Warner Bros. Movie World where we are excited to announce 2024 Chauvel Award recipient, Director Alex Proyas (THE CROW, DARK CITY, I ROBOT, GODS AND MONSTERS) will be in attendance.

GCFF Women In Film Lunch will be held at HOTA, presented by Screen Queensland, with an exciting South East Qld panel including Lynne Benzie; President Village Roadshow Studios, Veronica Fury; Executive Producer and Principal of Wildbear Entertainment and Tracey Viera; Chief Content Officer of Hoodlum.

GCFF is excited to announce the return of our Festival Ambassador and Gold Coast local, Lincoln Lewis and this year, we are presenting the World Premiere and Red-Carpet Gala of his new film; HE LOVES ME NOT.  Also starring Rhiannon Fish and shot on location in K’gari, this romantic comedy sees an aspiring actress chosen as a wild card for a reality TV dating show use a secret elixir to win the heart of the star, but when her deception is revealed, she discovers a messy but real chance for love.

GCFF is excited to announce Festival favourite, SIPFEST the Gold Coast’s premier short film competition will be held on the incredible HOTA Outdoor Stage for the second time. Showcasing 15 of the best short films from finalists’ submissions from around Australia and Internationally. The night culminates in the live announcement and presentation of the SIPFEST award categories after the audience has the opportunity to vote for their favourites on the night

Your biggest fear will get bigger with the Queensland Premiere and Red-Carpet Gala of the horror; STING. After raising an unnervingly talented spider in secret, 12-year-old Charlotte must face the facts about her pet-and fight for her family’s survival-when the once-charming creature rapidly transforms into a giant, flesh-eating monster.

Showing the depth of humankind comes the World Premiere of two incredible documentaries with the Red-Carpet Galas of GROWING HAPPINESS and DIAMOND OF THE SEA.

In the midst of a devastating drought, GROWING HAPPINESS follows the journey of two incredible farmers near Kalbar in Queensland’s Scenic Rim who stage a Sunflower Festival to save their struggling farm.

A story of determination, isolation and overcoming the odds is DIAMOND OF THE SEA, following Gold Coast Ironwoman Bonnie Hancock as she embarked on her world record attempt to circumnavigate Australia in an ocean ski.

GCFF wraps their arms around the Gold Coast Screen Industry with a number of Industry Events and Panels such as; In the Elevator, Script to Screen and Future Filmmakers hosted by Bond University and Essential Screen Skills, all designed for Screen Professionals and Students to extend their knowledge and networks.

An exciting partnership sees the GCFF take over Burleigh Brewing’s Film and Frothies with two fantastic screenings; CLIFFHANGER, with Sylvester Stallone in his action best and THE ENDING GOES FOREVER: THE SCREAMFEEDER STORY, a feature-length documentary about the band that emerged from the cultural explosion of the 1990’s that changed Brisbane forever along with a Screamfeeder concert straight after the film!

 The wealth of incredible cinema from around the world is showcased with unique, distinctive stories including festival favourites such as HEERAMANDI: THE DIAMOND BAZAAR (India) where Sanjay Leela Bhansali brings his majestic signature flair to stories of love and betrayal in the lives of courtesans in pre-independence India.

The festival brings tough stories to life with the World Premiere of FIGHT TO LIVE, telling the story of bare-knuckle boxing champ, Australia’s “Rowdy” Bec Rawlings who has been through hell and come out a woman living on her own terms, and dominating in one of the world’s toughest sports.

The story that shocked the world is also brought to the screen as GCFF presents the Australian Premiere of THE LIE: THE MURDER OF GRACE MILLANE.

In a Special Film Presentation, GCFF delivers on nostalgia with MY FAIR LADY where in 1910s London, snobbish phonetics professor Henry Higgins agrees to a wager that he can make crude flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, presentable in high society.

Gold Coast Film Festival CEO Luke Wheatley says this year’s program includes something for everybody and is a celebration of the rich filmmaking history we have in South East Queensland.

Tickets are on sale now and you may even find your new favourite film by heading to Gold Coast Film Festival website.