SUBMIT
As the city’s flagship film event, the Gold Coast Film Festival continues to endorse the region as a major filmmaking destination and is committed to growing the screen industry on the Gold Coast as a whole.
FILM CATEGORIES AND AWARDS
FEATURE FILMS
• PKF Best Australian Film – open to all Australian features
• Blackmagic Design Best Australian Indie Film Award – open to independent Australian features
For international filmmakers, all “Official Selection” films will be paid a screening fee.
SHORT FILMS
• Best Australian Film
• People’s Choice
• Runner-Up Best Film
• Best Screenplay
• Best International Film
• Best Film by a Gold Coast Resident
• Best Actor
WEB SERIES
• Best Australian Web Series
• Best International Web Series
QUEENSLAND FEATURE FILM SCRIPTS
• The Heaton Group Queensland Screenwriting Award – 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize
MORE INFORMATION ON PRIZES COMING SOON!
WHY SUBMIT TO THE GOLD COAST FILM FESTIVAL?
• We endeavour to fly selected filmmakers, cast and crew to the Gold Coast during the festival
• Dedicated award/prize categories for Australian features, shorts, scripts and web series
• Filmmakers can gain professional development through relevant, useful and engaging Q&As, panels and workshops
• Opportunities to make valuable connections with Queensland and national industry guests
• A number of prizes available for category winners (more information on prizes coming soon!)
We highly encourage entries from independent filmmakers and films with creative leads from under-represented backgrounds.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW?
We only accept submissions digitally through Film Freeway, not on physical media (DVD/hard drive). For submission guidelines for each category, head to Film Freeway.
All entrants must pay a flat fee per film entered. The fee varies based on the category entered and whether it is submitted in the early bird period or not. Please note, the entry fee cannot be waived.
Even if you don’t have a film to submit to Gold Coast Film Festival this year, attending the festival is a fantastic way to acquire valuable experience and knowledge, grow your network, learn from experts and get inspired. Our REELLIFE seminars and panels present varied topics and will give you the chance to chat with industry heavyweights in person!
But don’t take it from us, this is what some of our past filmmakers had to say:
Ready to submit your project?
Entries open through Film Freeway from Friday, 3 December 2021!
Early bird submissions close Friday, 14 January and all submissions close Friday, 4 February 2022.
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Queensland Screen Business of the Year
- Awarded for outstanding achievements in 2021
- Nominations are open to any business operating in or serving the screen industry (e.g. screen content producers, facilities/crew/film services)
- Nominees primary place of business/operating must be in Queensland
- There is no entry fee to nominate
- Nominations may be self-nominated or nominated by another individual or business
Gold Coast Screen Professional of the Year
- Awarded for outstanding individual achievements in 2021
- Nominations are open to any credited screen industry professional (producers/creatives/HODs/crew/performers)
- Nominees primary place of residence must be within City of Gold Coast
- There is no entry fee to nominate
- Nominations may be self-nominated or nominated by another individual or business
Nominations close 12pm AEST Monday, 07 February 2022. Finalists announced Monday, 07 March 2022.
Award winners will be announced at Gold Coast Film Festival’s annual Screen Industry Gala Awards.
HOW TO NOMINATE
- Nominations must be received by 10pm, January 31st 2021
- Nominations must be received via the submission form on the Gold Coast Film Festival website (gcfilmfestival.com/industryawards). Please note: you will receive a confirmation email once submitted. If you do not receive this, your nomination has not been received.
- Nominations must include: name, contact details and 250 words highlighting your achievements during the period 1 January – 31 December 2020.
- Achievements can include: completed projects, project announcements, promotions, increases in business size or investment, invitations to speak at events/festivals, distribution of content, award nominations/wins, board/leadership appointments or new innovations.
Terms & Conditions
- Nominations will be assessed by a panel of industry experts who will determine finalists and a winner for each category
- Judging panels for each award are selected at the sole discretion of GCFF and will be published on our website
- GCFF reserves the right to exercise discretion in matters relating to the Awards including to reject a nomination, to determine the number of finalists and to decide to cancel the award and/or event.
- Any decision regarding nominations, winners or any other matter regarding the Awards that is approved by GCFF shall be final
- Please note that GCFF is unable to provide feedback on nominations or the decision-making process, due to the volume of nominations and the time constraints in judging.