Emily Marszalek as Violet in Violet.

Australian independent feature film, Violet, is set to celebrate its world premiere at the upcoming Gold Coast Film Festival.

Co-written and directed by Derek Yang, Violet follows Arthur, a struggling playwright staging a make-or-break theatre adaptation of The Angel of Amontillado. When he unexpectedly recasts aspiring actress Georgia in the lead role — once synonymous with her predecessor Violet — the decision sends shockwaves through the production. 

As Georgia fights to prove herself worthy, tensions mount among the cast and crew, who remain loyal to Violet’s legacy. Rumours begin to swirl about the true motivations behind her casting, particularly as her relationship with Arthur grows increasingly close. What unfolds is a layered drama, as Georgia uncovers Arthur’s unresolved past—marked by obsession, rivalry, and lingering attachment to Violet.

The film has recently screened at LA’s Golden State Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre at the heart of Hollywood and walked away with a win for Best International Feature Film.

Featuring a dynamic ensemble cast of acting graduates and students from TAFE, QUT, UQ and The Actor’s Club, including Emily Marszalek, Eloise Molloy, Maddox Valentin, Malithi Weragama, Georgina Sawyer, Lucy Rayner-Toy, and James Enwright, the film showcases emerging Queensland talent both on and off screen. Consequently, it will screen as part of the festival’s locally made feature film strand.

“What interested me was approaching the character study by framing it as a revenge film and letting it unfold like a detective story,” said Yang.

“We went out of our way to secure location permits to create a unique look for the film. This look results from the skill our camera team and crew brought to the table, combined with how our ensemble cast populates each frame with their talent.

“The recognition the film is receiving so far culminates all those efforts.”

Violet will scree at the Gold Coast Film Festival on Sunday, 26 April. Details here. 

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