New Events Added to AACTA Festival Line up

DANNY & MICHAEL PHILIPPOU, ONEFOUR, DAMON HERRIMAN, KATE MULVANY, TERESA PALMER, JACK THOMPSON, ADAM ELLIOT, LEE TIGER HALLEY, BRUNA PAPANDREA, ANACONDA, HOUSE OF THE DRAGON – ADDED TO THE AACTA FESTIVAL LINE-UP 

 AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST CELEBRATION OF SCREEN CULTURE RETURNS TO HOTA FEBRUARY 5 - 9

This morning, Danny & Michael Philippou, ONEFOUR, Damon Herriman, Kate Mulvany, Teresa Palmer, Jack Thompson, Matt Carroll, Academy Award winner Adam Elliott, Lee Tiger Halley, Bruna Papandrea, Anaconda,and more have been added to the star-studded AACTA Festival lineup—Australia’s largest celebration of film, television and screen content. This expanded program now features over 100 unmissable events, from exclusive premieres and outdoor screenings to masterclasses, workshops, live music, comedy, and the AACTA Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills. Audiences won’t want to miss their chance for unparalleled access to superstars and exceptional storytelling.

Full AACTA Festival Program here 

The AACTA Festival has specially crafted several series including Actor on Actor, Meet the Creators and Meet The Nominees events designed to give audiences rare up-close access to their favourite stars and filmmakers.  

Actor on Actor Sessions - Renowned and Rising Stars

Rising stars Lee Tiger Halley (Boy Swallows Universe) and Alyla Browne (Furiosa) come together for an exclusive Actor on Actor session. These actors unite for this exclusive conversation sharing behind-the-scenes stories and personal insights from their standout roles in some of Australia's most talked-about and celebrated productions of the year.

Double-AACTA nominees in 2025 Kate Mulvany (Better Man, How to Make Gravy, The Twelve) and Damon Herriman (Better Man, How to Make Gravy, Once Upon A Time… in Hollywood) will delve into their craft, career journeys, and experiences across acclaimed productions.

Meet The Creators 

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Adam Elliot (Harvie Krumpet, Mary and Max) offers a deep dive into his latest project, Memoir of a Snail. Joined by producer Liz Kearney, they will discuss the inspirations, challenges, and techniques behind this stop-motion film, combining humour, heart, and creative ingenuity.

Go behind the scenes of one of the year’s biggest productions with the Boy Swallows Universe Meet the Creators session. Hear from the key creatives who produced this acclaimed series that has taken the world by storm. Sharing behind-the-scenes stories and the creative challenges of adapting this powerful coming-of-age tale.

Celebrated UK powerhouse producer Jo Sargent (Absolutely Fabulous) and leading Australian producer Todd Fellman (The Portable Door, Jungle, Bait 3D). Together, they’ll explore the creative, financial, and cultural complexities of international co-productions, and discuss  their latest collaboration on Fing!, a family-friendly adaptation of David Walliams' beloved book, set for production in Queensland.

BINGE Original production The Last Anniversary, marks the first time a Moriarty novel has been set and shot in Australia. Lead actor Teresa Palmer, producer Bruna Papandrea, writer Samantha Strauss, director John Polson and Head of Scripted, Foxtel Group Lana Greenhalgh, come together to discuss adapting such a powerful novel for the screen.

“We're incredibly proud to host the second year of the AACTA Festival right in the heart of the Australian screen industry on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The festival serves as your gateway to the best in film, TV, and digital content, providing exciting opportunities to gain behind-the-scenes insights, interact with the stars, and celebrate the creativity that defines our industry and captivates audiences worldwide.” said the Director of Programming and International Engagement AACTA, Sam Buckland

The whole family can enjoy a wicked night under the stars with a free screening of WICKED on the HOTA Outdoor Stage.  Audiences are encouraged to channel their inner Elphaba or Glinda and dress in their most spellbinding shade of green or perfect pink! Ruby Red Mocktails and wicked treats are available all night. Come celebrate in true OZ fashion!  

The Philippou Brothers return to AACTA Festival after the success of their AACTA Award-winning film Talk to Me. Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou will join the band Onefour. This dynamic panel explores how horror and drill music challenge stereotypes, celebrate authenticity, and ignite a new era of creative expression.  

Renowned US film producers Brad Fuller and Andrew Form (A Quiet Place, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) reveal the secrets behind creating some of Hollywood’s biggest movies. In this exclusive session, Fuller and Form will discuss their approach to producing major blockbuster films, including their upcoming project, Anaconda, currently being filmed in Queensland and starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd. 

Streaming has redefined entertainment, and the AACTA Festival is bringing together key executives from Australia’s top platforms for an exclusive panel on the future of Australian content. Meet The Streamers: Shaping the Future of Australian Content will delve into the rapidly evolving streaming landscape and what’s next for Australian film and TV, with panelists to be announced on the website soon.

The Industry Update with Screen Agencies session brings together state screen agency decision-makers to give producers and creators the inside track into the state of the industry, share their funding strategies, and explore key trends shaping 2025 and beyond. Featuring Jacqui Feeney (CEO Screen Queensland), Caroline Pitcher (CEO, VicScreen), Jennie Hughes (Director, Screen Territory), and Kyas Hepworth (CEO, Screen NSW).

Jacqui Feeney, Chief Executive Officer at Screen Queensland said “Screen Queensland is proud to collaborate with the AACTA Festival to connect the local screen sector with some of the international talent filming here in Queensland through our Production Attraction Strategy. As well as the many panels focussing on homegrown screen stories, we have enabled opportunities with industry luminaries including Anaconda’s Brad Fuller and Andrew Form, plus Jo Sargent with Queensland’s Todd Fellman. The 2025 program offers incredible access to these leading producers who are working with our acclaimed local crews and creatives on productions of scale.”

Step into the world of Westeros with Emmy and BAFTA-nominated VFX Producer/Supervisor Thomas Horton as he pulls back the curtain on House of the Dragon, the epic prequel to Game of Thrones. Discover how dragons take flight and colossal battles erupt as he unveils the groundbreaking visual effects that bring the realm to life. From behind-the-scenes stories to technical wizardry Thomas will beam in from the UK to share the creative challenges of transforming George R.R. Martin’s iconic fantasy world into a breathtaking on-screen spectacle.

Discover the story behind the upcoming Netflix limited series Apple Cider Vinegar, a jaw-dropping tale about one of the world’s first wellness influencers. Featuring creator Samantha Strauss, director Jeffrey Walker, See-Saw Films’ Liz Watts, and Netflix ANZ’s Que Minh Luu, the panel will explore how Australian stories remain uniquely local while resonating with global audiences. Apple Cider Vinegar features a star-studded cast including Aisha Dee, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Mark Coles Smith, and Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson. 

Hear from Sophie Monk, Dan Ewing, and directors Lav Bodnaruk and Mike Mier as they provide a sneak peek of Zombie Plane, an outrageous adventure blending suspense, comedy, and high-altitude thrills.

And for those wanting to be a part of history, we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Sunday Too Far Away with a special screening introduced by legendary actorand acclaimed producer Matt Carroll. Hear from the stars as they share behind-the-scenes stories of this iconic Australian film.

Working with the Big Kids: Getting Work on International Productions explores how Queensland has become a thriving hub for major international productions. Join Kate Marks from Ausfilm and seasoned Queensland crew members as they share insider tips on breaking into big-budget projects, navigating recruitment processes, and leveraging your skills to tap into the booming local screen industry.

LAUNCH YOUR CAREER IN FILM WITH THE AACTA SCREEN CAREERS EXPO

The AACTA Screen Careers Expo presented by Essential Screen Skills offers an unparalleled opportunity to learn about the diverse career pathways within the screen industry and the education and training options to kickstart your journey. The Screen Careers Expo has added an array of new sessions tailored to inspire and educate attendees, including:

The Fairbairn Brothers: Multiplatform Storytelling

Lachlan and Jaxon Fairbairn have become digital powerhouses producing thousands of YouTube shorts, VLOGs, skits, vertical short films, and a podcast—all infused with their signature wit and charisma. In this session, the Fairbairn brothers will take you behind the scenes of creating a Fairbairn film, sharing their journey as multiplatform storytellers.

Mastering Film Festival Submissions

Want to crack the code to a successful film festival submission? Gain expert tips and actionable insights in this must-attend panel featuring some of Australia’s leading festival programmers: J’aimee Skippon-Volke (Byron Bay International Film Festival), Al Cossar (Melbourne International Film Festival), Nuala O’Halloran (Gold Coast Film Festival) and Greg Dolgopolov (Vision Splendid Film Festival) This session will reveal the secrets to elevating your submission strategy and leveraging festival screenings for networking opportunities, distribution deals, and global recognition.

Colour Grading Masterclass with Kali Bateman

Come behind the scenes into Kali Bateman’s world class, purpose built suite in Brisbane, and gain unrivalled access to the coveted process of colour grading. Kali will colour grade a scene from a short film from start to finish in this distilled one hour presentation. Topics covered include primary grades, grading shots to match, adding secondaries for continuity, adding secondaries for aesthetics, and creating and working with a look.

The AACTA Festival returns to HOTA, Home of the Arts, from February 5-9, 2025, featuring a stellar lineup of events. Highlighted by the prestigious AACTA Awards, the festival offers a mix of nominee meet-and-greets, film deconstructions, workshops, music showcases, masterclasses, outdoor screenings, and family-friendly activities. Aspiring filmmakers can also take advantage of the AACTA Festival Screen Careers Expo, presented by Essential Screen Skills, on February 8th. For more details, visit aactafestival.com.

Alison Hurbert-Burns, Commissioner and Executive Director, Entertainment Content, Foxtel Group, said: “With over 100 sessions across the AACTA Festival, we encourage those interested in getting closer to the Australian Film and Television industry to get involved in these events, which the Foxtel Group is proud to support.”

The 2025 AACTA Awards Ceremony will be broadcast in Australia on Channel Ten at 7.30pm AEDT, Friday 7 February. A special extended AACTA Awards broadcast, including all awards from the ceremony, will be available from 7:30pm on Saturday 8 February on BINGE and Foxtel (Famous and available On-Demand). International broadcast details to be announced soon. 

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.

AACTA have teamed up with a number of local businesses to help you plan your trip to Queensland. Take advantage of discount accommodation offers and deals on exciting Gold Coast experiences available via aacta.org.