QUT Film Screen & Animation

🎬 Thanks to everyone who came along to the QUT short film screenings at Gold Coast Film Festival last week. Most exciting was that “Shrooms” won the People’s Choice Awards! 🍄‍🟫 It follows Darren, a talented but passive pizza shop employee who dreams of being a leader but struggles to stand up for himself 🍕
🎉 Congratulations to all who participated - you’re all winners in our eyes 😍

With QUT Film Club – I'm on a streak! I've been a top fan for 20 months in a row. 🎉

🌟 Three 2025 QUT graduate films are heading to the Gold Coast Film Festival across two major showcases. An incredible achievement for our grads! 🙌

🎬 GCFF EMERGE! Student Short Film Gala
📍 Sunday 26 April 2026
🎥 THE HIGH PRIESTESS
🎥 HOW TO MOVE

This prestigious showcase celebrates outstanding emerging filmmakers from South East Queensland, offering vital industry visibility alongside competitive prize categories and exciting opportunities for further recognition.

🍕🎬 And there’s more…
PIZZA FRIGHT has been officially selected for SIPFEST: Shorts in Paradise, screening Saturday 2 May. 💓

Both categories feature an array of exciting prizes. Fingers crossed for our grads! 🤞✨

And it also feels like the right moment to finally celebrate something we definitely should’ve shouted louder about earlier 👀

🎉 CHARLOTTE PASS, a 2025 QUT graduate film, was nominated for a Student AACTA Award earlier this year. A huge achievement and a testament to the calibre of work coming out of our screen programs.

Better late than never! 😅

We couldn’t be prouder of our graduates and the stories they’re bringing into the world. Watch this space 👀💥


SIPFEST

Applications Open for PROOF: A new proof-of-concept development fund fast-tracking audience growth and market demand.

Applications open today for PROOF, a strategic new development initiative from AACTA in partnership with the Gold Coast Film Festival, and supported by Screen Queensland, Gold Coast Film Commission, Sony, Panavision and The Post Lounge.

PROOF is an end-to-end program giving three Queensland filmmaking teams the chance to produce a proof-of-concept film, with audience and market development driving every stage of the project. Each team receives a $65,000 production package to take their project from concept to screen. The films will be showcased at the 2027 AACTA Festival, where a Grand Jury will select a winner.

Applications close at 9am AEST on 13 April 2026.

The three finalists will each receive:
$20,000 production fund
Complementary equipment hire from Panavision/Sony valued at $15,000
Complimentary post production from The Post Lounge valued at $30,000
2 x online workshops focussing on Audience Building and Digital Marketing from Cinch Media
Participation in the 2027 Queensland Creative Launchpad.
An opportunity to be partnered with an experienced executive producer to help guide the project.
2 x tickets to attend the 2027 AACTA Awards Ceremony on the Gold Coast
Annual AACTA Professional Memberships for all team members

PROOF 2026 AACTA PROOF in partnership with Gold Coast Film Festival

AACTA SCREEN CULTURE PROGRAM VOLUNTEER CALL OUT
AACTA is seeking event assistants in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast!

Held roughly monthly, they showcase Australia's top film, TV, and documentary premieres, including exclusive deconstructions and Q&As with industry leaders.

Assistants are needed for guest greeting, ticket scanning, event setup (media walls, red carpet), and Q&A arrangements. Events occur on Monday to Wednesday evenings at Palace Cinema Como (Melb), Ritz Cinema Randwick (Sydney), Palace Cinema Barracks (Bris), and HOTA, Gold Coast.

In return, you receive:
- Free event entry
- A 12-month AACTA membership (after 2 events) valued at $80 or $140
- Experience with a leading Australian screen organisation

Apply by emailing AACTA Programming Coordinator Bridgette O’Byrne at [email protected]

ENDSLATE 2025 official photos incoming 📸✨ captured by

What a special night. So many beautiful memories to hold onto for a long time.
What was your favourite moment? 💫