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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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07 Feb 2026
Premiere of Floodland
Join us for a premiere of Jordan Giusti's documentary Floodland, which takes you beyond the headlines of Australia's most expensive climate disaster to witness the story of a community at breaking point.Lismore, NSW, Australia's most flood prone postcode, was devastated by catastrophic flooding in 2022. The film follows residents through the aftermath - while politicians, councillors and activists clash over the town's future, hope emerges through a First Nations trauma centre. But as the adrenaline fades, residents living on the floodplain are pushed to breaking point, forced to choose whether to grit it out, adapt, or abandon Lismore.6:30pm arrivals7pm commences
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07 Feb 2026
Big Brother Housemates: Then & Now
Step back inside the House for a one of a kind Big Brother reunion where past legends meet the stars of the new season. Join previous housemates for a lively and unfiltered conversation about the show that changed reality TV forever. From Dreamworld’s golden days to the new reboot, hear untold stories, relive iconic moments, and get a cheeky look at the drama, strategy, and secrets that keep Big Brother capturing hearts and headlines across generations. Additional panelists will be announced soon.
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07 Feb 2026
Inside the Writers Room: Adaptation
Join screenwriters for an in-depth conversation on the art and craft of adaptation. They will discuss how to translate stories across mediums – from novels and true events to screen – while navigating the challenges of staying true to the source material, creating compelling characters, and making creative choices that enhance the story for film or television.The discussion will offer practical insights, strategies, and inspiration for writers looking to adapt stories that connect with audiences.
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07 Feb 2026
True Crimes, Truth and Justice
Forget the scripts, the actors and the recreations. Crime, Truth & Justice is your rare chance to hear directly from the people who live crime, not dramatise it.Criminal barrister Judith Fordham, forensic pathologist Professor Peter Ellis OAM, and former police officer turned psychologist Damien Stewart have stood at the crime scene, in the courtroom, and in the aftermath of trauma. They’ve seen what really happens when lives are shattered–and what it takes to find truth, justice and recovery.How does real forensic work differ from what you see on TV? What’s the emotional toll of investigating tragedy? And why do those who live crime still believe in humanity?Gripping, emotional and utterly authentic–The Real Deal takes you beyond the story and into the truth.Hosted by Kathryn Fox, doctor, crime author and former host of Crime Insiders: Forensics, this powerful conversation cuts through fiction and sensationalism to reveal the reality behind the headlines.
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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
The Devil's Playground - 50th Anniversary Screening
Marking 50 years since its release, Fred Schepisi’s The Devil’s Playground remains a cornerstone of Australian cinema. After the screening, join Fred Schepisi, lead actor Simon Burke, writer Thomas Keneally and special guests, as they reflect on the creative process, the film’s cultural significance, and the collaboration that brought this landmark story to life.
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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
Inside Curio Pictures
Curio Pictures has fast become a force in Australian storytelling. Led by Managing Director Jo Porter and Creative Director Rachel Gardner, the company has brought audiences distinctive series such as The Artful Dodger, The Narrow Road to the Deep North, High Country, and Playing Gracie Darling.In this session, Jo and Rachel will discuss the vision that drives Curio, the hurdles and highlights of producing their acclaimed work, and what lies ahead as they shape the company’s next chapter.
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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.