Australia’s Largest Celebration Of Screen Events Returns To The Gold Coast With The 2025 AACTA Festival – Spotlight Report

This morning on the Gold Coast the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) launched its exciting AACTA Festival program which returns to HOTA, Home of the Arts, from February 5 – 9 2025. Underpinned by the prestigious AACTA Award ceremonies —which brings the entire Australian screen industry together with a star-studded red carpet and celebration of film, TV, online content and documentary, AACTA Festival also features a dynamic line-up of premieres, exclusive screenings, industry networking events, music, and informative and collaborative experiences for fans, emerging filmmakers and seasoned industry professionals alike.

With over 100 events—including a rare In-Conversation event with the Working Dog team (The Castle, Utopia, Have You Been Paying Attention), outdoor screenings, masterclasses with Oscar® winners, best-selling authors in conversation, workshops, music performances, comedy, karaoke and the AACTA Screen Careers Expo, AACTA Festival offers unparalleled insights and exclusive access into the industry, providing invaluable opportunities for budding creatives, professionals, movie-lovers and everyone in between. Recognising the growing significance of music in shaping unforgettable screen experiences, AACTA Festival is also diving deeper into the world of soundtracks and songs with an expanded music program. It’s never been a better time to be a creator.

Highlights of the 2025 AACTA Festival are:

AACTA LONGFORD LYELL AWARD – WORKING DOG CELEBRATION 

The Australian Academy also announced this morning the recipients for 2025’s most prestigious screen honour – the AACTA Longford Lyell Award. At the 2025 AACTA Awards Ceremony on Friday 7 February, Ed Kavalee and Sam Pang will present the AACTA Longford Lyell Award to Working Dog (Santo Cilauro, Tom Gleisner, Jane Kennedy, Michael Hirsh, and Rob Sitch). This Award recognises the talents of Australian screen practitioners who inspire others through their work, acknowledging their valuable contribution to promoting Australian screen culture and excellence. Past recipients of this award include Catherine Martin, Paul Hogan, Andrew Knight, Cate Blanchett, Jacki Weaver and Peter Weir.

Working Dog are the most successful and prolific independent creatives of our generation. Over the last 30 years they have created, produced, cast and directed successful broadcast television, film and even theatre. They have been ahead of the curve and spotted and nurtured talent well before anyone else, with many of those talent going on to become household names. Working Dog’s autonomous path and achievements not only inspire, but have illuminated the path for young creatives, demonstrating what is possible through collaboration, hard work, clever ideas and an unwavering commitment across decades of shifting screen landscapes.

Their productions have made a remarkable and valuable contribution to Australian culture and our vernacular. The Castle, Thank God You’re Here, Russell Coight’s All Aussie Adventures, Utopia, Frontline, and The Dish – just a few of their notable projects that are firm favourites with the Australian public and industry peers.

Fans and industry professionals alike will have a rare opportunity to hear more from the creators and stars behind some of Australia’s most beloved productions as the remarkable team at Working Dog will be in conversation with Ed Kavalee in their session Working Dog… It’s the Vibe.  The wide-ranging discussion will cover where it all began, how they have remained friends, and how they have managed to turn a passion for comedy into a thriving creative production entity. Next year will also commemorate the 25th anniversary of The Dish and AACTA Festival will celebrate with a special outdoor screening.

THE ART OF STORYTELLING

Revered voices including bestselling authors Trent Dalton, Holly Ringland, Benjamin Stevenson, and Shankari Chandran, to legendary screenwriters John Collee (Boy Swallows Universe) and Andrew Knight (Hacksaw Ridge), will reveal the art of crafting powerful narratives and transforming ideas into cinematic stories. Shane & Clayton Jacobson (Kenny), alongside a team of industry experts, will detail exactly what it takes to create and release a hit film.

Get an insider’s look at storytelling with Inside the Writers’ Room, featuring acclaimed writers as they dive into the creative process. Then, in the Industry Showrunners panel, learn about the vision and challenges of running a hit TV series. Australia’s top documentarians, in a special Screen Australia presentation, offer insights into the art of documentary filmmaking. Forefront: Queer and Proud brings together trailblazing voices like Spankie Jackzon and Nina Oyama to explore boundary-breaking work in queer storytelling. First Nations filmmakers share their unique perspectives on preserving culture through film, while the Audition Masterclass provides essential casting tips from industry pros.

AUSTRALIANS BEHIND HOLLYWOOD MEGA HITS

An opportunity to understand the technical mastery that brings scripts to life with Oscar-winning Australian cinematographers Greig Fraser (The Batman, Dune, Dune 2) and John Seale (The English Patient, Mad Max Fury Road) who will break down their work on seminal Hollywood blockbusters. A VFX deconstruction with Paul Butterworth, revealing the magic behind iconic Marvel scenes, will also form part of the Festival.

FEAR ON FILM

Australia is a prolific and influential contributor to the Horror genre and 2025’s AACTA Festival will include a range of sessions  on its growing popularity with masters of the genre, as well as sneak peeks of upcoming horrors Site Unseen, Beast of War, Primitive War, and the horror/comedy Zombie Plane – with stars Sophie Monk and Dan Ewing attending.

THE POWER OF SOUND: HOW A MUSICAL SCORE SHAPES THE HEARTBEAT OF FILM

Experience the sounds of How To Make Gravy, a BINGE Original film based on the iconic song by Paul Kelly, with original music performed live by Meg Washington and others. Dive into the globally captivating soundtrack of Heartbreak High with its music supervisor Jemma Burns, while multi-Oscar-nominated filmmaker Scott Hicks (Shine) shares his considerable expertise adding depth to the festival’s music strand. Learn about movement and dance from one of the world’s best choreographers, Kate Wormald, and explore Dami Im’s remarkable Eurovision journey. Conclude each night at the vibrant Karaoke Bar, where music transforms into a shared, interactive celebration. And don’t miss the fabulous Drag Bingo night hosted by Ivyy Monroe and Kathy Pacific for an unforgettable evening of fun and games.

AACTA is also thrilled to announce two new award categories for the 2025 AACTA Awards: Best Original Song and Best Soundtrack. The AACTA Award for Best Original Song will honour the talented songwriters and performers who create songs that enrich a production’s impact, while the AACTA Award for Best Soundtrack will celebrate the vital role of music supervisors in shaping unforgettable moments on screen. An expert jury will select nominees for these awards, with the winners determined by AACTA members in Round 2 voting.

AACTA Festival 2025 promises a unique, immersive celebration of the power of music in screen storytelling. Don’t miss this celebration of music, creativity, and culture in the heart of the Australian screen industry.

CLICKS, LIKES, AND CUT THROUGH: THE FORMULA FOR DIGITAL SUCCESS 

From cut through to clicks, the Digital Creators sessions will uncover the secrets to building global audiences and monetising content. Learn more about the “it” factor with Millie Ford and join “Creator on Creator” sessions with influencers Mackenzie Macintyre and Emily Grosser, as they share how to turn passion into profit. Plus, a masterclass on Monetising Your Passion provides essential tips for aspiring creators.

AACTA Festival will also include a live recording of the First Things First podcast with hosts Matty Mills and Brooke Blurton with an unfiltered conversation about culture, relationships, and life’s big questions. This engaging, behind-the-scenes event brings diverse perspectives as proud First Nations voices.

NETFLIX & CHILL MEETS FAN FRENZY: EXCLUSIVE SCREENING EVENTS YOU CAN’T MISS

AACTA Festival will hold the Queensland Premiere of Spit, the highly anticipated follow-up to Gettin’ Square, with David Wenham returning as both star and producer. Wenham will share insights into the film’s creative journey and its deep Queensland roots.

Other screenings include an exclusive behind the scenes with the cast of the new Queensland action film Homeward, featuring actors Nathan Phillips (Wolf Creek) and Jake Ryan (Underbelly), a Q&A of The Aegean with star Costas Mandylor, the Australian premiere of Looney Tunes: The Day The Earth Blew Up at Movie World with a Q&A with Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, a Taylor Swift symposium, a Marvel vs. DC universe, and Supanova and guest cosplayers join our Beyond The Stars and Realms session with practical costume and makeup tips.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: BUILDING YOUR SCREEN CAREER

Find out everything you need to know about building a career in the exciting screen industry at the 2025 AACTA Screen Careers Expo, presented by Essential Screen Skills on Saturday the 8th of February. An invaluable opportunity for students and career changers alike, attendees will learn about all aspects of the screen industry, the many incredible career pathways on offer, and the education and training available to get them there. With representation for some of Australia’s leading education institutes and employers as well as informative panel discussions throughout the day.

For more information visit aactafestival.com.

AACTA FESTIVAL AMBASSADORS

 

AACTA’s 2025 Festival Ambassadors are Australian comedians and actors Stephen Curry (The Castle), Nina Oyama (Deadloch) and Shane Jacobson (Kenny) and Talijah Blackman-Corowa (Plum). AACTA also welcomed back the dynamic filmmaking duo, Lachlan and Austin Macfarlane alongside musicians Dami Im and Meg Washington.

 

SHOW ME THE MONEY

 

The dream of a creative career can be financially challenging. The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts is thrilled to announce additional support and development funding over a handful of exciting initiatives. The AACTA Reg Grundy Award returns for a fifth year offering $50,000 in prize money to the best original idea for the nation’s next favourite production. The Award is open to all Australians with details to be announced at the 2025 AACTA Award Ceremony.

 

The AACTA Brian Walsh Award for Emerging Talent will return for a second year. Sponsored by actress Nicole Kidman, this prestigious award is aimed at discovering and nurturing the next generation of Australian actors with the recipient receiving $50,000 towards their career development. Entries are now open, head to aacta.org for more information. 

NOMINEES – SHORT FILM AND DOCUMENTARY 

Over 100 productions entered for consideration. The nominees for the 2025 AACTA Award for Best Short Film and Documentary are:

Short Film

• And The Ocean Agreed – Tanya Modini, Luisa Martiri, Stephanie Dower – Screaming Birds
• Before We Sleep – Josh Lacy, Michelle Walker, Mason Jay Lewis, Joshua Walsh – Top Tier Entertainment and Eastmount studios
• Die Bully Die – Nathan Lacey, Nick Lacey, Matthew Backer, Drew Weston – Based Film
• Favourites – Nick Russell, Nick Musgrove – Tandem Media
• Gorgo – Katie Amos, Veniamin Gialouris, Danielle Stamoulos – Australian Film, Television and Radio School
• Why We Fight – Danielle Cormack, Nicole da Silva – Four One One Productions

Documentary

• A Horse Named Winx – Janine Hosking (Dir.) – iKandy Films
• Every Little Thing – Sally Aitken (Dir.),  Bettina Dalton – WildBear Entertainment and Dogwoof & HHMI Tangled Bank Studios
• Midnight Oil: The Hardest Line – Paul Clarke (Dir.), Carolina Sorensen, Mikael Borglund, Martin Fabinyi – Beyond Entertainment Pty Limited and Blink TV Production Pty Limited
• Otto by Otto – Gracie Otto (Dir.), Cody Greenwood, Nicole O’Donohue, – Rush Films & Wildflower Films
• Porcelain War – Brendan Bellomo (Dir.), Slava Leontyev (Dir.), Camilla Mazzaferro, Aniela Sidorska, Paula Du Pré Pesmen, Olivia Ahnemann – Finch No Worries and Imaginary Lane
• The Musical Mind: A Portrait In Process – Scott Hicks (Dir.), Kerry Heysen, Jett Heysen-Hicks, David Chiem – Beyond May30 Entertainment Pty Ltd

The nominees were determined by AACTA Members, Australia’s largest community of screen professionals and fans. The winner of the 2025 AACTA Awards for Best Short Film and Best Documentary will be announced on Wednesday 5 February at the AACTA Awards Industry Gala.

The remaining 2025 AACTA Award nominees will be announced in December. Round 2 voting will begin December 7 and will determine the 2025 AACTA Award winners.

AACTA Festival will run for 5 days from February 5 – 9th 2025 kicking off with the AACTA Awards Industry Gala presented by Foxtel Group and Official After Party presented by Screen Queensland on Wednesday 5th February. This will be followed by an incredible day of screen events at the AACTA Industry Day, including meet the nominees, meet the creators, networking events and an industry Top Golf night on Thursday 6th February. The AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by Foxtel Group and Official After Party will be held on Friday February 7th.

AACTA Festival will continue through the weekend of February 8 – 9, 2025, offering a vast range of activities celebrating film, television, and pop culture. Festival goers can enjoy in-depth movie deconstructions, interactive workshops, meet-and-greets, music showcases, masterclasses with renowned filmmakers, outdoor screenings, and a variety of family-friendly activities – and for those looking to break into the industry, an expanded Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills will also make its return on Saturday the 8th of February.

Whether you are a film fan, a budding creative, a pop culture enthusiast, or a dedicated industry professional, AACTA Festival offers a unique opportunity to network, learn, and revel in the magic of film and television.  For more information, click here.

AACTA have teamed up with a number of local businesses to help you plan your trip to Queensland. Take advantage of discount accommodation offers and deals on exciting Gold Coast experiences available via aacta.org.