The 2015 Gold Coast Film Festival was the most successful to date – entertaining and inspiring over 12,600 people, reaching its targeted growth increase of 20% and increasing film attendance by an incredible 178% on 2014 figures.
Last month’s Festival saw 55 feature and 30 short films screenings, special events and industry sessions held over 10 days at venues all over the Gold Coast.
Gold Coast Film Festival Director Kylie Pascoe, who oversaw her second festival this year, pointed to three reasons for the stellar success.
“We are so pleased with the attendance figures for this year. The decision to be based at The Arts Centre Gold Coast was key; it’s a great location for the film festival and provided a hub for films, our REELLIFE panels and workshops and events such as our movie trivia night. It became a true festival destination.
“I think this year we also got the mix of films right for our audience. We selected a diverse selection of films with something for everyone, from Australian sci-fi to environmental documentaries to dramas to foreign language films.
“We also focused on building our partnerships and this helped us expand with events all over the coast from Coolangatta to Helensvale, helping to make screen culture accessible to as many Gold Coast residents and visitors as possible” said Ms Pascoe.
Last month’s Festival also included the inaugural Women in Film luncheon, hosted by Australia’s most respected and loved movie critic, Margaret Pomeranz and her daughter-in-law Philippa Whitfield Pomeranz, a producer, director and co-creator of the TV series Fashion Bloggers.
Crowd favourites at the 2015 Festival included SIPFest, the short film competition screening on Surfers Paradise beach as part of the Surfers Paradise Festival and family outdoor screenings in Broadbeach, Palm Beach and Robina Common.
The Australian Premiere of international action movie Skin Trade written by and starring legendary action star Dolph Lungdren, and the Australian film Infini starring Luke Hemsworth, Daniel Macpherson and Grace Huang were also crowd favourites this year.
The Gold Coast Film Festival screened at more venues than ever before, including The Arts Centre Gold Coast, BCC Coolangatta, Helensvale Library and Cultural Centre, Surfers Paradise beach, Robina Common, Palm Beach Parklands, Victoria Park Broadbeach. Other film related events also took place at Bond University and The Royal QLD Art Society Gallery in Broadbeach.
The Gold Coast Film Festival will host a handful of special event screenings throughout the year. To keep up to date with events become a member of the GCFF Cinefile Club at www.gcfilmfestival.com
