On Thursday, 15th April 2021, the Queensland screen industry, businesses, and supporters came together to acknowledge the finalists and winners from the 2021 Gold Coast Film Festival set in the dazzling location of Warner Bros. Movie World.
Presented by Australian screen industry representatives, the awards recognise the incredible achievements of filmmakers, businesses, and films within the Festival Program and Queensland screen industry, including the prestigious Chauvel Award to industry icon Sue Maslin AO.
Initially awarded to Maslin in 2020, the Chauvel Award presentation was postponed due to the cancellation of the 2020 Gold Coast Film Festival following nation-wide event restrictions.
The national screen industry award recognises significant contribution to the Australian screen industry and was complimented by a special hour-long ‘In Conversation’ with Hollywood journalist Jenny Cooney at the Screen Industry Gala Awards, giving attendees an intimate look at her career on and off the screen.
Maslin said of the win, “I am deeply honoured to receive the 2021 Chauvel Award named after two inspirational filmmakers who kept making big screen Australian movies against all odds. I am a huge fan of the GCFF and thank them for the opportunity to look back over 35 years of producing and find the connection – the desire to tell stories which empower others. I am so grateful to all of my brilliant creative collaborators and to my partner Charlotte Seymour for making this journey possible.”
The Gold Coast Film Festival awards and prizes totalled $15,000, and included recognition of PKF Best Australian Film of the Gold Coast Film Festival program, Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharks. The film featured at the official opening of the Gold Coast Film Festival and producer Bettina Dalton and Valerie Taylor accepted the award in recognition of the prestigious production.
And for the first time, the Awards were simultaneously live-streamed to audiences unable to attend.
“We’re delighted to be able to open the event to audiences around the world through our live-streaming program,” Festival Director Aimée Lindorff said, “This year was a phenomenal year for Australian film, and for audiences to hear from the Chauvel Award-winner Sue Maslin AO is a fantastic opportunity. Her incredible career and industry advocacy is a true asset to the Australian Screen Industry, and we’re delighted to hear more about her experience and expertise in the screen sector at the Screen Industry Gala Awards.”
The Screen Industry Gala Awards is a dazzling celebration of the industry, bringing together Queensland industry businesses and supporters to recognise the achievements of award winners and finalists. 13 awards are presented to Queensland and Australian filmmakers, writers, and creators through 13 awards and prizes, totalling $15,000.
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About Gold Coast Film Festival
Gold Coast Film Festival is an AACTA-Award qualifying film festival bringing diverse Australian and International films, filmmakers and film events to the Gold Coast.
The 19th annual Gold Coast Film Festival will run April 14–25, 2021 bringing film to life across the Gold Coast and online. Escape to a world of film this April and explore world cinema gems, discover new Australian films, enjoy unique popup outdoor cinemas plus hear from leading filmmakers at Q&As and screen industry panels.
The Gold Coast Film Festival is supported by its major partners Screen Queensland, City of Gold Coast, Major Events Gold Coast, Tourism and Events Queensland and HOTA, Home of the Arts. Event Cinemas/BCC Coolangatta, QT Gold Coast and Bond University are event partners of the 2021 Gold Coast Film Festival.