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
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06 Feb 2027
Christopher Chung - In Conversation
Best known for his scene-stealing role as Roddy Ho in the hit spy thriller Slow Horses, Australian Actor Christopher Chung has become a familiar face to audiences around the world. With credits spanning acclaimed television, including My Brilliant Career, Christopher Chung brings a distinctive energy to the characters he plays. Chung reflects on the art of creating distinctive performances, the risks worth taking as an actor and the moments that can transform a role into a career-defining one.
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07 Feb 2027
Inside Dad's House
From the visionary creatives behind such viral hits as Ciggy Butt Brain and Italian Spiderman, comes the Netflix adult animated series Dad's House.Join showrunners and executive producers Michael Cusack (Smiling Friends, Koala Man) Dario Russo (The Fox, Danger 5, Pro Jank Footy) and David Ashby (Danger 5, Pro Jank Footy), as they discuss their latest project. The trio will unpack their past and recent work, how they came together for Dad's House, the shows origins and inspirations, their vision for the series, and their perspective on how and why the adult animation genre might be positioned to tell distinctly Australian stories.
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07 Feb 2027
Dean Semler: Behind the Oscar-Winning Lens
How do you capture the sweeping landscapes of Dances with Wolves or the jungle pursuit in Apocalypto? Oscar-winning Australian cinematographer Dean Semler joins us live via Zoom to explore some of his most memorable films. Through clips and stories from the set, he reveals how he filmed these remarkable scenes, solved challenges along the way and helped bring each director’s vision to the screen.
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07 Feb 2027
NEVER GET BUSTED! Queensland Premiere
A stranger-than-fiction true crime story populated by larger-than-life characters, Never Get Busted! follows Barry Cooper, a highly decorated Texas narcotics officer who turns against the system to expose police corruption.From Australian directors Stephen McCallum and David Anthony Ngo, and produced by Erin Williams-Weir, Daniel Joyce and David Anthony Ngo, the documentary brings together an international creative team, including Emmy Award-winning executive producer Chris Smith (Tiger King) and Oscar-nominated executive producer John Battsek (Searching for Sugar Man).Join us for the Queensland Premiere, followed by a special post-screening conversation with Barry Cooper, the subject of the film, joining live via Zoom to share his extraordinary story.Arrivals from 5:00pm for a 5:30pm screening.
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07 Feb 2027
Inside the Rehearsal Room with Bruce Beresford
Watch acclaimed director Bruce Beresford at work as he rehearses a scene from his upcoming film, The Ballad of Les Darcy, live on stage. Working with Zac Garred and fellow actors, Bruce will block the action, shape performances and demonstrate the creative decisions that bring a scene to life. A must for actors, directors, writers and anyone curious to see a master of his craft in action.
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07 Feb 2027
Yellowjackets Liv Hewson and Courtney Eaton Return
Following the phenomenal response to their previous AACTA Festival appearance, Australians Liv Hewson and Courtney Eaton return for a special Yellowjackets conversation as the acclaimed series reaches its final chapter.With Season 4 confirmed as the series finale, Liv and Courtney will join us via zoom to reflect on their journeys as Van and Lottie and their experiences making one of television’s most distinctive dramas.Expect a relaxed conversation and audience Q&A as the two Australian stars look back on the series and celebrate its final season with fans.
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07 Feb 2027
Posthumous Q&A and sneak peek
Shot in Queensland, the supernatural horror film Posthumous brings together a mysterious VHS tape, buried family secrets and a terrifying supernatural presence. Join the filmmakers and stars for an exclusive first look at footage from the film, and a discussion on bringing the story to the screen.
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07 Feb 2027
From Priscilla to Captain America: Designing Worlds with Owen Paterson
BAFTA-nominated Australian Production Designer Owen Paterson takes audiences behind the scenes of some of cinema’s most visually distinctive worlds, from the bold aesthetic of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert to the sinister streetscapes of V for Vendetta, and the action-packed universe of Captain America. Discover how production design transforms a script into a fully realised screen world.
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07 Feb 2027
The New Comedy: Connor McDuff & Maitland Handley
What makes a comedy sketch stick? Maitland Handley and Connor McDuff of CrackerMilk bring two distinctive approaches to short form comedy to the AACTA Festival. Join them as they unpack the ideas, characters and observations that turn a simple premise into a joke that lands. With examples from their own work, they explore the fine line between funny and forgettable, and why some characters and catchphrases take on a life of their own.As audiences increasingly discover comedy through their phones, what makes us stop scrolling and start laughing? A lively conversation about the instincts, imagination and craft behind Australia’s new comedy landscape.
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07 Feb 2027
Meet The Voice of Zac Power - Parker Little
Join Brisbane actor Parker Little, the voice of animated spy hero Zac Power, for a family-friendly event packed with action, animation and espionage. Discover how Parker brings the young secret agent to life through voice acting, offering a glimpse into the world of Zac Power. Young fans can meet Parker, snap a photo and take part in spy-themed activities in this fun celebration of Queensland talent and screen storytelling.
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07 Feb 2027
Chloe Hayden - The Next Chapter
Best known for her role as Quinni in Netflix’s Heartbreak High, Chloé Hayden has built a career across acting, writing and advocacy. As she moves into the next stage of her career, Hayden joins the AACTA Festival for a conversation about the work she wants to pursue, the stories she hopes to tell and where her creative ambitions may lead.
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07 Feb 2027
FORTITUDE VALLEY World Premiere
Walk the red carpet at the world premiere of FORTITUDE VALLEY, a gripping new Australian series set on the streets of Brisbane, starring Hunter Page-Lochard, Kat Stewart and Rupert Everett.Join Hunter Page-Lochard, director Sian Davies and showrunners Stephen M Irwin and Leigh McGrath for a special on-stage conversation following a screening.FORTITUDE VALLEY is a six-part crime thriller following Queensland police detective Ethan Tobane, whose investigation into a decades-old murder uncovers a disturbing connection to his own family and a web of corruption involving some of the city's most powerful figures.Arrivals from 5:45pm, screening commences 6:45pm
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05 Mar 2027 - 07 Mar 2027
2027 Festival of Golf
The Australian WPGA Championship featuring the Festival of Golf returns to Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast in March 2027, bringing world-class women's golf, lifestyle, entertainment and family friendly experiences together in one spectacular destination!The WPGA Championship will be held at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club, with the Festival of Golf running alongside the Championship.On the fairways, an elite field of players will compete for the prestigious Karrie Webb Cup and AUD600,000 in prize money. Co-sanctioned by the WPGA Tour of Australasia and Ladies European Tour, the Championship promises four days of exceptional competition, showcasing some of the world's leading female golfing talent.New for 2027, the Festival of Golf moves to an exciting new location at the tournament entrance, positioned between the 18th hole and Sanctuary Cove Marine Village. Free to attend, the Festival will offer a vibrant mix of golf and lifestyle exhibitors, interactive experiences, live entertainment, food and beverage offerings, and activities for the whole family.Whether you're a passionate golf fan, visiting with family or simply looking for a fun day out on the Gold Coast, the Australian WPGA Championship featuring the Festival of Golf delivers a unique Sanctuary Cove experience where sport, lifestyle and entertainment come together.
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18 Mar 2027
Ocean Film Festival World Tour 2027
Immerse yourself in a breathtaking 3-hour cinematic journey into the world’s most spectacular marine environments. The Ocean Film Festival World Tour brings together an extraordinary collection of short films celebrating the beauty, power and wonder of our oceans.From crystal-clear tropical reefs and wild coastlines to towering waves and the depths of the open ocean, these beautifully crafted films showcase the ocean from every perspective. Meet the passionate divers, fearless surfers, dedicated ocean advocates, ocean explorers and marine scientists whose lives are shaped by their connection to the sea.The Ocean Film Festival World Tour is a celebration of our oceans in all their beauty, diversity and power. Inspiring, entertaining and thought-provoking, it’s an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the incredible marine environments that connect us all.Find out more at www.oceanfilmfestival.com.auThe Ocean Film Festival is exempt from Classification, but all swearing has been beeped outRecommended age 10+
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18 Apr 2027
Royal Ballet: Alice's Adventures In Wonderland
Encore screenings! At a garden party on a sunny afternoon, Alice is surprised to see her parents’ friend Lewis Carroll transform into a white rabbit. When she follows him down a rabbit hole, events become curiouser and curiouser…As Alice journeys through Wonderland, she encounters countless strange creatures. She’s swept off her feet by the charming Knave of Hearts, who’s on the run for stealing the tarts. Confusion piles upon confusion. Then Alice wakes with a start. Was it all a daydream?Christopher Wheeldon’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland burst onto the stage in 2011 in an explosion of colour, stage magic and inventive, sophisticated choreography. Joby Talbot’s score combines contemporary soundworlds with sweeping melodies that gesture to ballet scores of the 19th century. Bob Crowley’s wildly imaginative, eye-popping designs draw on everything from puppetry to projections to make Wonderland wonderfully real. The result shows The Royal Ballet at its best, bringing together world-class dance with enchanting family entertainment and ingenious music and design.Captured live from Covent Garden, London, 15 Oct 2024
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14 May 2027
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2027
The 2027 Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is a 3-hour celebration of adventure, exploration and the wild places that draw us outside, presented by World Expeditions.From high alpine peaks and remote wilderness to fast-flowing rivers and rugged trails, this inspiring collection of short films follows climbers, skiers, mountain bikers, trail runners, paddlers and explorers as they chase big goals and unforgettable experiences around the globe.Born from the legendary Banff Mountain Film Festival, the world’s most celebrated mountain film festival, the World Tour shares a handpicked selection of films with audiences in more than 390 communities across 35 countries.The Australian programme brings together spectacular cinematography, compelling human stories and plenty of heart-in-your-mouth action. Expect epic landscapes, daring adventures and a healthy dose of inspiration to get outside and seek out your own adventure. The original and the best mountain film festival.For more details, visit www.banffaustralia.com.au The Banff Mountain Film Festival is exempt from Classification, but all swearing has been beeped outRecommended age 10+
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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.