by FilmInk Staff
A $13,000 romantic comedy has taken top honours at this year’s Gold Coast Film Festival Awards, with All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane winning the PKF Best Queensland Feature Film.
Announced at a gala celebration held at Warner Bros. Movie World, the award was given to the low-budget film, directed by Louise Alston and written by Stephen Vagg.
Set and shot in Queensland’s capital city, All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane tells the story of lawyer Cris (Nelle Lee), who returns home after a breakup, only to find herself reconnecting with a now-married ex (Andrew Steel). The movie is a spiritual sequel to the 2007 cult hit All My Friends Are Leaving Brisbane by the same filmmakers.
“Winning Best Queensland Feature Film was a truly lovely surprise,” said Vagg, who also produced the movie along with Alston and Steel. “It’s a wonderful tribute to the hard work of the cast and crew, who put their heart and soul into it.”
The awards recognised a broad spectrum of talent across the screen industry. Buried, directed by Charlotte George, won Best Australian Web Series, while Connor Smith’s A Boy and His Pub took out Best Queensland Screenwriting. Emerging filmmaker Amy Raffe was honoured for her rising talent, and the industry’s production sector was celebrated with Myriad Studios named QLD Screen Business of the Year (Established) and Movie Sense taking the Emerging category.
Individual achievement was also recognised, with Shonee Samia awarded the TAG Group Gold Coast Screen Professional of the Year, and acclaimed filmmaker Warwick Thornton receiving the prestigious Chauvel Award.
“I got to meet Connor, Amy and Shonee after the awards and they’re all amazing,” said Vagg. “Events like these are a fantastic acknowledgement that while the bulk of the Queensland industry is focused on international productions, there is a strong movement of local creatives here.”
All My Friends Are Back in Brisbane has its world premiere at the Gold Coast Film Festival on 1 May, followed by cinema screenings in Brisbane (at Five Star Cinema New Farm from 29 May), Sydney (at Randwick Ritz on 18 June) and Melbourne (at Lido on 19 July), with further screenings to be announced.
