The AACTA Awards, AACTA Industry Awards and AACTA Screen Fest are on the move to Queensland, and are set to take place on the Gold Coast in 2024.
It is just the latest major event or production to move to the Sunshine State, with the Logies shifting from Melbourne to the Gold Coast in recent years, the screen industry’s conference Screen Forever also making the move, and various productions including “The Bachelors“, “Wizards“, “Black Snow” and “Elvis” filming there.
Russell Crowe, the current president of AACTA, said the Academy is looking forward to broadcasting a memorable show and showcasing the Gold Coast to audiences.
“In acknowledgement of Queensland’s growing importance of film and television production in the country, it has been decided by the Board of the Australian Film Institute and AACTA, and with the generous cooperation of the Queensland Government, for the next three years we’ll be shifting from Sydney and hosting the AACTA Awards here on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“The Australian Film Institute (AFI) and more recently The Australian Academy (AACTA) have provided the platform that has seen this country’s contributions to the global film industry just keep growing and making household names out of directors, designers, cinematographers, post-production houses, visual effect artists, writers, producers, and of course, actors.”
The AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Group will take place in February 2024, designed to lineup with international awards season including the Oscars and BAFTAs.
The state’s premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said Queensland continued to stamp its authority as a global screen heavyweight.
“I am delighted to announce our deal with the Australian Film Institute to bring the AACTAs to the Gold Coast for the next three years,” she said. “Our screen industry keeps going from strength to strength as we build our international reputation as the place to film world-class cinema and television content.
“Queensland is a production paradise offering the complete package, with film-friendly locations, highly-skilled crew, world-class facilities and competitive incentives.”
Tourism minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the event would deliver $3.4 million to the visitor economy.