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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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05 Feb 2026
What Audiences Want
Mike Baard, CEO of Universal Pictures Australasia, has spent more than two decades at the forefront of the country’s theatrical landscape, overseeing not just Universal titles but also local releases for Warner Bros. and some of the world’s most successful blockbusters. In this exclusive conversation Mike will discuss key elements that are transforming the cinema experience, from shifting audience behaviours to the pivots studios are making in a streaming-saturated era.With his rare vantage point across both local and international markets, Mike will also explore how distribution models are evolving, what the data reveals about the enduring appeal of the big screen, and how the concept of theatrical exclusivity may be redefined in the future. Expect a candid look at the state of the industry and the creative and commercial challenges shaping the future of filmgoing.
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06 Feb 2026
2026 AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group
Join us at the 2026 AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group where we'll honour the outstanding achievements of our talented actors, directors, writers and more.Featuring appearances by your favourite stars of the screen, it's a night not to be missed!Keep the celebration going at our Official After Party! Enjoy delicious food, expertly crafted drinks and dance the night away with music that will keep you moving until the early hours. This is more than just an awards ceremony; it’s a night of magic, inspiration, and pure entertainment. You won't want to miss being a part of an extraordinary evening that celebrates the best of Australian screen talent.Discounted tickets are available for AACTA members by inputting your member number into the discount code section.Come up early and join us at the AACTA Awards Industry Gala and Official After Party presented by Screen Queensland. The Australian Academy is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate the best in film, television, documentary, digital, and short films from the past year, with over 30 AACTA Awards up for grabs, this is the event of the year you absolutely can’t miss.Or stick around for AACTA Festival featuring in-depth Masterclasses, exclusive screenings, meet & greets and so much more.
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06 Feb 2026
2026 AACTA Awards: Live! By The Lake
A night of glamour, celebration and networking at Live! By The LakeWalk the red carpet, take stunning photos at the media wall and get ready for even more excitement as you step into the party and watch the AACTA Awards unfold live on the big screen.Seated at tables, you'll enjoy canapés on arrival followed by lunch and refreshing drinks, all while mingling with industry enthusiasts and celebrating another extraordinary year in Australian screen.Happening alongside the main ceremony, this exclusive event creates a vibrant social atmosphere with networking opportunities and unforgettable moments.But the night doesn’t end there! As a Live! By The Lake ticket holder, you’ll gain access to the Official AACTA Awards After Party – where crafted drinks, a vibrant dance floor and the industry’s best keep the celebration going into the night.For full table bookings, please email Guest Management. Discounted tickets are available for AACTA members by inputting your member number into the discount code section.
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07 Feb 2026
Kiwi Creators in Oz
Kiwi Creators brings together a stellar lineup of New Zealand filmmakers and actors making their mark on the Australian screen industry. In this conversation, they share their journeys, creative influences, and the unique perspectives they bring to Australian productions. They will also reflect on working across the ditch, the opportunities and challenges of collaborating internationally, and the experiences that have shaped their careers. Warm, insightful, and full of trans-Tasman pride, this event celebrates the talent and storytelling kiwi creatives bring to our industry.
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07 Feb 2026
The New Wave of Aussie Filmmakers
Meet the new voices redefining Australian cinema in a candid conversation with some of the country’s most exciting emerging directors. From short films to viral YouTube hits, these filmmakers have each carved their own path to the big screen. They will reflect on their creative beginnings, what drew them to feature filmmaking, and the standout moments that have shaped their careers. Expect honest insights, behind the scenes stories, and a look at how a new generation is challenging conventions, taking risks, and reshaping Australian storytelling.Panelists to be announced.
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07 Feb 2026
Meet the Nominees: Actors
Returning in 2026, this is your chance to meet the some of the actors nominated for the 2026 AACTA Awards. At this intimate event, some of Australia’s leading on-screen talent will share their personal insights into their performances in this year's nominated films and television shows. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to hear from these acclaimed AACTA nominated actors.
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07 Feb 2026
Masters of Crime
We binge it. We click it. We can’t look away. Even when times are difficult, we still devour crime stories. But what does our obsession with crime say about us?Bestselling authors join Kathryn Fox for a raw, revealing conversation about what lies beneath the surface: the psychology of violence, the pull of the darker side of human nature, and the blurred lines between truth and imagination.Discover what drives these storytellers to live inside the minds of killers and victims–and how far they’ll go for authenticity. Is there a fine line between exploring violence and glorifying it? Between empathy and exploitation?Gripping, funny and unflinchingly honest, Masters of Crime delves into what our darkest stories reveal about who we are–and why, even in troubled times, we still find light in darkness.
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07 Feb 2026
Jason Baird - Hair and Makeup Showcase
Acclaimed hair and makeup designer Jason Baird shares how he brings characters to life on screen. From subtle period details to bold prosthetic transformations, he’ll explore the creative choices, practical challenges, and collaborative processes behind his work.This session gives audiences a closeup look at the skill, problem-solving, and artistry that go into professional hair and makeup design for film and television.
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07 Feb 2026
Digital Comedy Creators
Sit down with a panel of your favourite comedy creators known for everything from scripted skits to original webisodes and viral stand-up clips as they pool their collective comedy knowledge to give you an inside look at sharing funny stuff on the world wide web. Additional panelists to be announced.
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07 Feb 2026
The Most Upsetting Guessing Game in the World LIVE
From the twisted minds of Aunty Donna (Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun – Netflix, Aunty Donna’s Coffee Café – ABC and Netflix) join your favourite comedians for an hour of chaotically cooked improv.What is The Most Upsetting Guessing Game in the World? Think of a hybrid between Whose Line is it Anyway? and Thank God You’re Here – with the power to end friendships and get a TV network cancelled. With over 2 million views on YouTube, and sold out shows at the Melbourne International and Sydney Comedy Festivals, The Most Upsetting Guessing Game in the World Live is equal parts traumatic, cathartic and also very funny. "By the end we lost all essence of a fun party game'" - Samantha Andrew"If we weren't in a room full of people I would of cried" - Mish Wittrup“If Dante's Inferno had a circle of hell specifically for improvisers" - Some guy on YouTube
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07 Feb 2026
John Seale - Life in Pictures
Oscar winning cinematographer John Seale invites audiences behind the camera to reflect on a career that spans some of cinema’s most unforgettable films. From the battlefields of Gallipoli and the intimacy of Dead Poets Society, to the sweeping romance of The English Patient, the intrigue of The Talented Mr. Ripley, the magic of Harry Potter, and the high-octane energy of Mad Max: Fury Road, Seale will share film excerpts, personal stories, and insights into his craft.This session offers a rare chance to see how one of the world’s most accomplished DOPs has shaped the way we experience film.
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07 Feb 2026
Bob's Burgers Unpacked
Australian animator, director, and producer Bernard Derriman takes us inside the making of Bob’s Burgers.With more than a decade on the hit series and work on The Bob’s Burgers Movie, Bernard goes behind the scenes of one of animation’s most beloved and enduring franchises to unpack the process that brings Bob and the eccentric Belcher family to life episode by episode. He will reflect on the creative growth of the show, the challenges of sustaining a long running series, and the collaborative process behind its distinctive storytelling and animation style.
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07 Feb 2026
Jimpa - Queensland Premiere
Arrivals from 6:30pm, screening commences at 7pmJoin us for the Queensland premiere of Jimpa. Directed by acclaimed Australian filmmaker Sophie Hyde, and starring International actors Olivia Colman and John Lithgow, plus local Aussie talents Aud Mason-Hyde, Daniel Henshall, Kate Box and Bryn Chapman Parish. The film follows Hannah (Colman) as she travels to vibrant Amsterdam with her teen, Frances (Mason-Hyde), to reconnect with her politically engaged, gay father affectionately known as “Jimpa” (Lithgow). When Jimpa’s declining health is revealed, the family must navigate unexpected challenges, confronting past stories and hidden truths with warmth, humour, and joy.Following the screening there will be a Q&A with the filmmakers.
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07 Feb 2026
Josh Heuston: In Conversation
From the sands of Dune: Prophecy to the streets of Sydney in Heartbreak High, Josh Heuston’s star is on the rise. Since being named GQ’s Breakthrough Actor of the Year at their 2022 Men of the Year awards, he has appeared on both national and international screens. Josh stars alongside Hollywood heavyweights - such as Emily Watson in the latest addition to Denis Villeneuve’s Dune cinematic universe. Back home, he starred alongside Jai Courtney in the shark horror Dangerous Animals. In this intimate conversation Josh will recount these achievements and share what might be on the horizon in his future.
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07 Feb 2026
Inside the Writers Room: Comedy
Love a good laugh but always come away wishing there’d been a 60-minute session that explained all the jokes? Then boy do we have just the thing for you.Join us as we bring together a panel of some of the nation's wittiest writers to take you behind the scenes and explore the craft of writing compelling comedy. Covering everything from film and TV to stand-up and sketch, this talented panel of comedy creatives will break down their instincts, inspirations and the mechanics that go into making audiences snort, chortle, chuckle and lol. Panellists to be announced.
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07 Feb 2026
Australian Premiere – EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert
Join us for a stellar red-carpet evening as AACTA presents the Australian Premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, the groundbreaking new cinematic experience from visionary director Baz Luhrmann, created right here on the Gold Coast.Fresh from rave reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival, EPiC reimagines the power and presence of Elvis Presley for a new generation, blending cutting edge technology with electrifying concert footage, a full orchestra and Baz’s unmistakable cinematic flair. This is Elvis as you have never seen or heard him before.Drawn from newly unearthed footage of Elvis’s legendary Las Vegas residency and US tour, the film places audiences on stage and in the room with Elvis at the height of his powers. Just pure performance and Elvis in his own words revealing the entertainer, the musician, and the man behind the icon.Following the screening, stay for an exclusive in conversation with the filmmakers, offering a behind the scenes look at how this landmark production was brought to life.A night of music, cinema, and celebration - and one of the headline events of the 2026 AACTA Festival.“One of the most exciting concert films you’ll ever see…” – Baz Luhrmann, Variety
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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.