The Australian Academy presents the inaugural AACTA Festival – with more than 70 film, television, music, gaming, pop culture and family events coming to the Gold Coast.
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has announced the debut of the AACTA Festival, a four-day celebration of Australia’s vibrant screen industry, that promises an immersive experience for all, from industry professionals to film enthusiasts, school-leavers, families, and aspiring creatives – the festival, including the AACTA Awards presented by the Foxtel Group, will be hosted at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) from February 8-11, 2024.
With more than 70 events on the program and more to be added, the AACTA Festival will present a dynamic array of panels, meet-and-greet, screenings and activities which are predominantly free to attend. The festival will provide an opportunity to go behind the scenes of your favourite films, immerse yourself in the industry’s latest trends, meet your favourite stars, network with screen practitioners, and learn more about the exciting world of Australian film, TV, gaming, music and more.
The AACTA Industry Awards Ceremony will kick things off on Thursday, February 8, followed by a day of industry events, masterclasses, and creator discussions on Friday. Saturday, February 10 the AACTA Awards Ceremony will welcome all the stars on the red carpet. Finishing on Sunday, February 11 with an array of screenings, live music, kids’ events, acting workshops, meet-and-greets, and more. Sunday will also feature the Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills, running all day and offering pathways for anyone wanting to break into the industry. It promises to be a great day out for the entire family.
Cinematic highlights include: a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Matrix ; an animation deconstruction of international blockbuster Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , a deep dive into the stunt work from Mad Max: Fury Road and a showcase of the upcoming Binge original series High Country , with Leah Purcell. Michael Gracey ( The Greatest Showman), and producer Paul Currie will give audiences an exclusive look of their upcoming Australian film Better Man starring singer Robbie Williams. Iconic Australian musician Russell Morris (‘The Real Thing’) will take part in an exclusive conversation with composer David Hirschfelder, and audiences can hear from Mortal Kombat director Simon McQuoid on the progress of the film franchise currently being shot in Queensland.
Many of Queensland’s top writers will attend and be showcased throughout the festival, including Trent Dalton, author of Boy Swallows Universe , and Holly Ringland author of Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. In addition to this, audiences can hear from writers Nick Earls, Lystra Rose, Mathew Condon, Richard Jameson, Tristan Michael Savage, and Ben Hobson, to name just a few.
The festival will also host a series of Meet the Creators events – panel discussions with internationally renowned talent including directors Danny and Michael Philippou (Talk to Me), Warwick Thornton (The New Boy), and the team behind the hit TV show The Newsreader. The Meet the Nominee panels offer a chance hear from some of Australia’s biggest stars, producers, and directors, nominated for a prestigious AACTA Award. The festival also features a wide range of topical industry panels covering various aspects of the screen industry, from the future of AI and streaming to First Nations truth-telling and storytelling panels. Also included are a range of online gaming ‘Let’s Play’ events, and an immersive art experience led by acclaimed painter, actor, and musician Stan Yarramunua.
There will be fun for the whole family, with a series of kids’ events, including a Play School live event, kid’s acting workshops, face-painting, live music, and a very special appearance from Queensland’s beloved Bluey.
For more information go to aactafestival.com
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
