AACTA FESTIVAL 2024: AUSSIE SCREEN MAGIC WILL TAKE CENTRE STAGE ON THE GOLD COAST

By Sarah Waters

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, held at HOTA on the Gold Coast early next year from February 8 – 11.

The event promises an immersive experience for all, from industry professionals to film enthusiasts, school-leavers, families and aspiring creatives.

More than 70 events are on the festival program, giving members of the public an opportunity to go behind the scenes of their favourite films, meet their favourite stars, network with screen practitioners and learn more about Australia’s film, TV, gaming and music industry.

The AACTA Industry Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 8, followed by a day of industry events, masterclasses and creator discussions on Friday.

On Saturday, February 10, the AACTA Awards Ceremony will welcome all the stars on the red carpet.

The event will wrap up 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.

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.

Members of the public can get a rare glimpse into Australia’s world of film of film, TV, gaming and music at the AACTA Festival next year.

Iconic Australian musician Russell Morris (The Real Thing) will take part in an exclusive in 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 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 to hear from some of Australia’s biggest stars, producers, and directors, nominated for a prestigious AACTA Award.

The festival 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.

The kids’ events include Play School LIVE, kid’s acting workshops, face painting, live music and a very special appearance from Queensland’s beloved Bluey.

AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella said AACTA Festival is a must-attend event for anyone who loves Australian film, television, music, gaming, art and pop culture.

“We are excited to present more than 70 events over four days celebrating the excellence of our industry,” Mr Trewhella said.

“From red carpet glamour to workshops and a special kids’ line-up, it’s an invitation for everyone to step into the magic of storytelling and creativity,” he said.

Screen Queensland CEO Jacqui Feeney said The AACTA Festival will bring leading local and national screen practitioners together on the Gold Coast – a renowned production and screen talent hub.

“Screen Queensland is proud to support the inaugural AACTA Festival and welcome aspiring filmmakers and audiences alike to also connect, learn and revel in this celebration of screen culture,” she said.

The AACTA Festival is now live.

For more information and to book tickets please visit aactafestival.com.

About AACTA

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) is a not-for-profit organisation, aimed at promoting, encouraging and celebrating screen excellence in Australia.

The Australian Academy is Australia’s only independent, member-based, national screen organisation that represents all differing screen crafts, from directors to producers, actors, writers, musicians and a vast number of members in below-the-line roles.

For over 60 years, the AACTA Awards (formerly the AFI Awards) have recognised and celebrated Australia’s highest achievements in film, television, documentary, short form and digital content.

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Local club to reopen after flood damage

Broadwater residents are gearing up for a very special Christmas this year with the official reopening and Christmas party at the Broadwater Bowling & Recreation Club.

Like so many other buildings, the community owned club which is run by volunteers was submerged in the flood waters last February and March.

Photos from flood, stripped down to renovated

“We have seen flood water before but not to the extent of March 2022 which inundated the club to 1.2 metres through the two-storey clubhouse,” said vice president and treasurer, David Parker.

A major part of the community since 1957, it has been a long process to get the club  back on its feet.

“Progress has been slow due to securing any type of funding,” said Mr Parker.

“The assessment to rebuild what was lost in the club was $350,000.

Broadwater Bowling & Recreation Club stripped for renovations.

“We had the Mountie group and a range of clubs in NSW help raise much needed funds and donate equipment for the kitchen, carpets, tables, mowers and a food van, along with money raised at a concert.”

The money raised was used to renovate the inside lounge area which is now complete and ready for the Christmas party on 16 December, 2023.

“The bar areas still needs a lot of work and at our last AGM, it was raised by members to become a pokie free club,” said Mr Parker.

“(We will) raise money to complete the works and turn the pokie area into a kids area with arcade games.”

The newly renovated Broadwater Bowling & Recreation Club.

During 2022 the club did not lie dormant, however, as it opened its doors to be a meeting place and also support the community with free meals supplied by the club and others on a Thursday night.

“We also still supported the local school kids in representing their school at sporting events,” said Mr Parker.

“The future is looking great for our club and (we) look forward to the Friday night meals that all our locals have missed over the last two years.”

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Maria Heaton’s Annual Art Exhibition and Sale

ADVERTORIAL

Whether you’ve experienced her spectacular Annual Exhibition and Sale or not… December is the time of year Maria Heaton works toward all year!

“My work is always about the light” Maria says, “and this year is no different. I find light so fascinating! ”

Anyone who spends time with Maria soon realises that observing light and shadows is Maria’s constant occupation. “you cannot paint until you learn to see and observe tone and colour. I have taught many forms of art for over 35 years and sharing knowledge is rewarding ”

Maria was awarded Highly Commended, left at the Bentley Art Prize & the one on the right at the TURSA Art Prize.

A versatile artist with nearly 40 years of experience and experimentation under her belt, Maria Heaton explores the gift of light in her rich landscapes, seascapes and still life paintings.  Always inspired by her beautiful garden, Maria can be found painting vases of flowers backlit by the sun or early morning light filtering through the trees on a crisp autumn morning, the dappled light through rainforest trees beside the creek near her home or epic landscapes painted after her travels.

What began as a hobby in the early 80’s has become a lifestyle. Once a regular at local markets and then for 2 years Maria ran her own gallery. At one stage “i was holding 6 classes a week and painting and running the gallery. I got a little burnt out ” she says.

Most recently her achievements have been a second prize Highly Commended for a painting called “First Light in Tenterfield” at the 2023 Bentley Art Prize and a Highly Commended at the Tursa Art Prize in Lismore for a sunrise over the beach painting called “In the Moment ”

The event runs on Sat 2^nd & 3^rd DEC and Sat 9^th & 10^th Dec . Visits during the week are also welcome by appointment. Ph 0438 867 564.

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