New Events Added to AACTA Festival Line up

PAUL KELLY, LEIGH WHANNELL AND MICHAEL GRACEY 

ADDED TO THE 2025 AACTA FESTIVAL LINEUP

Today, the AACTA Festival announced over twenty new sessions have been added to the 2025 program, which returns to the Home of the Arts, Gold Coast, from February 5 - 9 2025.  

Celebrated Australian music icon Paul Kelly will perform live at the festival alongside Meg Washington, Brendan Maclean, Beddy Rays and other special guests at the How to Make Gravy - Live in Concert event on the HOTA Outdoor stage hosted by Richard Wilkins and featuring performances from the BINGE Original film soundtrack. Leigh Whannell, co-creator of the billion dollar Saw and Insidious franchises, joins AACTA Festival with an exclusive in-conversation on his work and his immense contribution to the horror genre. Back by popular demand, Australian director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) will unpack his latest project, the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man. 

The Festival has also announced an exclusive discussion with the creators of the upcoming Netflix series Apple Cider Vinegar, with Samantha Strauss, Liz Watts, Jeffrey Walker and Que Minh Luu taking you behind the scenes of the shocking con-story centred on one the world's first wellness influencers. Also added is a panel featuring storytellers from the Torres Strait islands, moderated by Screen Queensland’s Danielle Ah Boo, which will highlight the skill and talents of Torres Strait creatives who are redefining what it means to tell a story. 

Whether you're a fan of the macabre or an aspiring filmmaker, visionary brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes unpack Late Night With The Devil.  For garden enthusiasts, presenters Costa Georgiadis and Millie Ross reveal the magic that makes Gardening Australia a household favourite. Plus Millie Holten shares the inside scoop on her viral sensation Long Head, with the creators of Lesbian Space Princess, to discuss how bold storytelling is reshaping the world of animation. For lovers of comedy, AACTA Festival presents the 25th Anniversary screening of The Dish!

With over 20 new sessions announced today, the AACTA Festival features close to 100 events, with more to follow. The lineup includes a number of film premieres, exclusive screenings, in-depth film deconstructions, digital creator workshops, networking opportunities, music performances and a range of experiences tailored for fans, emerging content creators, and seasoned industry professionals alike. There really is something for everyone!

To see the full program including all new events, visit aactafestival.com. For production stills and imagery, click here.  

AACTA CEO, Damian Trewhella said, “AACTA Festival is a one-of-a-kind celebration that brings together the very best of our screen industry, offering over 100 events for fans, emerging creatives, and industry professionals alike. This year, we’re thrilled to spotlight the vital role music plays in storytelling on screen, with an extraordinary lineup of world-class talent. From iconic songwriter Paul Kelly and Oscar-winning director Scott Hicks to acclaimed music supervisor Jemma Burns and celebrated artists Meg Washington and Dami Im, these events offer a unique opportunity for aspiring creatives to learn, connect, and be inspired by some of the brightest minds in music and screen.”

Other festival highlights already announced include a rare In-Conversation event with the Working Dog team (The Castle, Utopia, Have You Been Paying Attention), the red-carpet premiere of new Queensland film Spit starring David Wenham, a range of Best-Selling authors in conversation, and Australian Oscar-winning filmmakers breaking down their work on screen. The AACTA Screen Careers Expo – Australia’s largest expo dedicated to training and employment in the Screen Industry, and presented in partnership with Essential Screen Skills – will feature 40 exhibitors presenting info on all levels and types of education available in Queensland and nationally, employment and training opportunities across a wide range of roles from acting through to accounting, along with an area dedicated to the world’s fastest growing form of screen entertainment – Games – with some of Australia’s largest studios on hand to discuss career opportunities in the Games sector, along with a games play area, supported by Queensland eSports. Panels throughout the day will detail everything you need to know about working in the screen industry including developing a future proof career as a “creative entrepreneur”, and a one of a kind masterclass from Shane and Clayton Jacobson (Kenny) who, alongside a team of industry experts, will detail exactly what it takes to make and release a hit film.

The AACTA festival is a 5 day festival underpinned by the prestigious AACTA Award ceremonies —which brings the entire Australian screen industry together with a star-studded red carpet and celebration of film, TV, online content and documentary. 

The AACTA Festival offers unparalleled insights and exclusive access into the industry, providing invaluable opportunities for budding creatives, professionals, movie-lovers and everyone in between. Recognising the growing significance of music in shaping unforgettable screen experiences, AACTA Festival is also diving deeper into the world of soundtracks and songs with an expanded music program. It’s never been a better time to be a creator.

THE ART OF STORYTELLING

Revered voices including bestselling authors Trent Dalton, Holly Ringland, Benjamin Stevenson, and Shankari Chandran, to legendary screenwriters John Collee (Boy Swallows Universe) and Andrew Knight (Hacksaw Ridge), will reveal the art of crafting powerful narratives and transforming ideas into cinematic stories. 

Get an insider’s look at storytelling with Inside the Writers’ Room, featuring acclaimed writers as they dive into the creative process. Then, in the Industry Showrunners panel, learn about the vision and challenges of running a hit TV series. Australia’s top documentarians, in a special Screen Australia presentation, offer insights into the art of documentary filmmaking. Forefront: Queer and Proud brings together trailblazing voices like Spankie Jackzon and Nina Oyama to explore boundary-breaking work in queer storytelling. First Nations filmmakers share their unique perspectives on preserving culture through film, while the Audition Masterclass provides essential casting tips from industry pros. 

AUSTRALIANS BEHIND HOLLYWOOD MEGA HITS

An opportunity to understand the technical mastery that brings scripts to life with Oscar-winning Australian cinematographers Greig Fraser (The Batman, Dune, Dune 2) and John Seale (The English Patient, Mad Max Fury Road) who will break down their work on seminal Hollywood blockbusters. A VFX deconstruction with Paul Butterworth, revealing the magic behind iconic Marvel scenes, will also form part of the Festival. 

FEAR ON FILM

Australia is a prolific and influential force in the horror genre, and the 2025 AACTA Festival will celebrate this with a range of sessions featuring masters of horror. Headlining this strand is writer/director Leigh Whannell, and the Cairnes brothers, creators of the chilling Late Night with the Devil. The strand also features a deep dive into “monsters down under,” exploring the terrifying mix of Australian wildlife and horror with director Kiah Roache-Turner (Sting) and Richard E. Williams (Dead Eyes), and special effects artist Steve Boyle. A panel of trailblazing women in horror, including Natalie Erika James (Relic), will highlight the impact of female creators on the genre and attendees can  be the first to see exclusive footage of upcoming titles like Site Unseen, Beast of War, and Zombie Plane, with stars Sophie Monk and Dan Ewing. 

THE POWER OF SOUND: HOW A MUSICAL SCORE SHAPES THE HEARTBEAT OF FILM

Australia’s rich musical heritage and global influence is celebrated with How To Make Gravy takes centre stage with Paul Kelly leading a live performance of the BINGE Original film’s soundtrack alongside Meg Washington, Brendan Maclean, Beddy Rays, and more. Explore the globally loved Heartbreak High soundtrack with Jemma Burns, uncover the art of music in film with Scott Hicks (Shine), and delve into movement with choreographer Kate Wormald. Dami Im reflects on her Eurovision journey, while the Karaoke Bar and Drag Bingo nights hosted by Ivyy Monroe and Kathy Pacific promise fun-filled evenings.

AACTA Festival 2025 promises a unique, immersive celebration of the power of music in screen storytelling. Don’t miss this celebration of music, creativity, and culture in the heart of the Australian screen industry.

CLICKS, LIKES, AND CUT THROUGH: THE FORMULA FOR DIGITAL SUCCESS

From cut through to clicks, the Digital Creators sessions will uncover the secrets to building global audiences and monetising content. Learn more about the “it” factor with Millie Ford and join “Creator on Creator” sessions with influencers Mackenzie Macintyre and Emily Grosser, as they share how to turn passion into profit. Plus, a masterclass on Monetising Your Passion provides essential tips for aspiring creators. 

The AACTA Festival will also include a live recording of the First Things First podcast with hosts Matty Mills and Brooke Blurton with an unfiltered conversation about culture, relationships, and life’s big questions. This engaging, behind-the-scenes event brings diverse perspectives as proud First Nations voices.

NETFLIX & CHILL MEETS FAN FRENZY: EXCLUSIVE SCREENING EVENTS YOU CAN’T MISS

AACTA Festival will hold the Queensland Premiere of Spit, the highly anticipated follow-up to Gettin' Square, with David Wenham returning as both star and producer. Wenham will share insights into the film’s creative journey and its deep Queensland roots. 

Other sessions include an exclusive behind the scenes with the cast of the new Queensland action film Homeward, featuring actors Nathan Phillips (Wolf Creek) and Jake Ryan (Underbelly), the Australian premiere of Looney Tunes: The Day The Earth Blew Up at Movie World with a Q&A with Daffy Duck and Porky Pig, a Taylor Swift symposium, a Marvel vs. DC universe, and Supanova and guest cosplayers join our Beyond The Stars and Realms session with practical costume and makeup tips.

For more information visit aactafestival.com.

AACTA FESTIVAL AMBASSADORS

AACTA’s 2025 Festival Ambassadors are Australian comedians and actors Stephen Curry (The Castle), Nina Oyama (Deadloch) and Shane Jacobson (Kenny) and Talijah Blackman-Corowa (Plum). AACTA also welcomed back the dynamic filmmaking duo, Lachlan and Austin Macfarlane alongside musicians Dami Im and Meg Washington. 

Key information and dates:

Location: Home of the Arts (HOTA), Gold Coast 

AACTA Festival: Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 February 2025

AACTA Awards Industry Gala & After Party: Wednesday 5 February 2025

AACTA Awards Ceremony & Official After Party: Friday 7 February 2025

For information on the AACTA Festival, AACTA Awards and ticket sales, click here.