The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has unveiled the first wave of programming for its 2027 festival, with world premieres, industry panels and some of Australia’s biggest screen talents set to take over the Gold Coast next February.
Returning to the Home of the Arts (HOTA) from February 3rd-7th, the five-day event will run alongside the annual AACTA Awards and AACTA Industry Awards Gala, bringing together local and international filmmakers, actors and creatives for a series of screenings, discussions and behind-the-scenes experiences.
Among the highlights are the world premieres of two Australian television productions: BINGE Original “Tough Love,” starring Miranda Otto, Rick Donald, Jay Ryan and Hugo Johnstone-Burt, and ABC crime drama “Fortitude Valley,” which will receive a red-carpet premiere.
Set in Brisbane and directed by Sian Davies, “Fortitude Valley” stars Hunter Page-Lochard, Kat Stewart and Rupert Everett. Further premieres and special screenings are expected to be announced in the lead-up to the festival.
The program will also feature appearances from a number of prominent Australian and international screen creatives, including Emmy-winning costume designer Molly Rogers, who will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the wardrobe of “The Devil Wears Prada 2.”
Australian director Patrick Hughes will unpack the making of Netflix action film “War Machine,” while filmmaker Justin Kurzel will revisit key scenes from “Snowtown,” “Macbeth” and “Nitram,” discussing his approach to building tension and working with actors.
Elsewhere, “Yellowjackets” stars Liv Hewson and Courtney Eaton will reflect on the series as it approaches its final season, while director Jeffrey Walker will explore his work across several recent Queensland-shot productions, including “Bull,” “Who the Hell Is Hamish?,” “Allen” and “Fing!.”
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The festival will also welcome actors Temuera Morrison, Chloe Hayden and Christopher Chung, alongside filmmaker Leah Purcell and author Diana Reid, who will discuss adapting “Sense & Sensibility” for the screen.
A series of craft-focused events will offer further insight into the filmmaking process. Veteran director Bruce Beresford, a recipient of the AACTA Longford Lyell Award, will conduct a live rehearsal with actors performing a scene from his upcoming project “The Ballad of Les Darcy.”
Oscar-winning cinematographer Dean Semler will revisit his work on “Dances with Wolves” and “Apocalypto,” while production designer Owen Paterson will discuss creating the visual worlds of films including “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” and “Captain America.” Music supervisor Jemma Burns will also lead a session examining the role of music in film and television.
AACTA has additionally announced four ambassadors for the 2027 festival: “Heartbreak High” stars Chloe Hayden and Gemma Chua-Tran, “Slow Horses” and “My Brilliant Career” actor Christopher Chung and Queensland-born actor George Pullar.
Chung said he was proud to represent the event and help champion Australia’s screen industry.
“I’m incredibly proud to be joining AACTA as a Festival Ambassador. Australia has always been home, and while my career has taken me around the world, it’s only deepened my appreciation for the extraordinary talent and stories that come out of our country,” he said.
“Australian storytelling has such a distinct voice, and it’s exciting to see our industry continue to grow and make its mark on the world stage. I think it’s more important than ever that we champion the diversity of voices and perspectives that make Australian storytelling so unique, while creating opportunities for the next generation of talent.
“I’m thrilled to be part of a festival that celebrates not only how far we’ve come, but also the exciting future of our industry.”
Emerging filmmakers will also be a focus of the 2027 program, with three short films developed through the PROOF initiative set to premiere at the festival. Produced in partnership with Screen Queensland and the Gold Coast Film Festival, the projects – “Deadline,” “The Water Tank” and “Tick, Tick, Tick” – will compete before a Grand Jury, which will select one for potential development into a feature film.
The AACTA Screen Careers Expo will also return, offering aspiring screen professionals opportunities to connect with industry figures and learn more about career pathways.
For more information, including ticket information, see here.