David Cook and Chantal Elyse in Blue Horizon. 

The Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) unveils their Red Carpet Gala Opening and Closing Night films along with the return of SIPFEST: Shorts in Paradise in this year’s festival, Wednesday 30 April to Sunday 11 May, 2025 at HOTA (Home of the Arts).

Included in the 12 day festival are incredible events featuring the Gold Coast Film Festival Awards Gala including the Chauvel Award, Women in Film Lunch, Script to Screen, Emerge! Student Shorts Gala and two incredible Industry events.

GCFF will open on Wednesday April 30 from 5:30pm with the Australian Premiere of The Ballad Of Wallis Island, a Sundance Film Festival favourite directed by James Griffiths and starring Tim Key, Tom Basden, and Carey Mulligan.

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Closing out the festival on Sunday May 11 from 5:30pm is the World Premiere of Blue Horizon joining stars Pete Murray, David Cook, Damian McCoy and Chantal Elyse along with writer and director, Gold Coast’s own Josh Hale on the Red Carpet.

Filmed on the Gold Coast the story follows a successful musician, Maris Le Marcus who is facing jail time and forced into a state-run wellness centre as part of his probation. Following a chance meeting with Douglas, a resident living with severe Cerebral Palsy, both men bond over their similar upbringings and form an unlikely duo. Together they show each other that sometimes you need to step outside of your image to find yourself.

Tickets are on sale now to all Opening and Closing Night Red Carpet Galas and our incredible featured events through  www.gcff.com.au with the full program announced and tickets available from Thursday April 3.

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