From Friday 6 to Sunday 8 October, film enthusiasts will flock to Gympie to revel in the magic of short films that touch the soul, uplift the spirit and warm the heart at Queensland’s premier regional short film festival.
The programming team has scoured festivals from Flickerfest to Cannes to proudly bring the world’s finest short films to regional Queensland.
This year’s program boasts an impressive line-up of over 100 short films, including 1 world premiere, 18 Australian premieres, and 27 Queensland premieres.
The festival’s selected shorts will compete for various prestigious jury awards, including Best Short Film, Best Australian Short Film and Best Student Short Film.
Kicking off the festival with a burst of creativity is First Nations First, showcasing inspiring works by First Nations filmmakers on Friday morning (6 October), while Boots and Ballgowns theme will add a touch of country charm and glamour to the Opening Night Soiree that evening.
The ‘welcome’ guests won’t want to miss features like enchanting music by cellist Louise King, the unique perspective of Aspy Jones and his talented five-piece band, and six opening night screenings.
Heart of Gold’s festival hub, The Front Yard, is also back. Follow the trail of satisfying food and beverages, to live performances, music and a vibrant Makers Market throughout the weekend, surrounded by a jam-packed program of special events.
On Saturday afternoon (7 October), the stage will come alive with the melodious tunes of singer-songwriter and Gympie local Darren Hanlon, setting the mood for the Awards Ceremony, where the 2023 prize winners will be revealed; identifying exceptional filmmakers and creatives.
Joining the esteemed jury in 2023 are AWGIE and SPA nominated filmmaker Rae Choi, alongside award-winning Australian filmmaker Ben Hackworth and founding juror Holly Pittman.
Sunday 8 October is Family Day, featuring theatre sports for the kids, comedy, markets for the parents, and family-friendly film sessions from 9am to 1pm.
Festival Director Mandy Irvine said “Heart of Gold is truly a one-of-a-kind festival, presenting exceptional short films from all across the globe, whilst our location provides such a unique and relaxed environment for budding filmmakers to connect and learn from industry professionals.
“Heart of Gold brings heart-warming messages that celebrate the human spirit and it’s a fantastic opportunity to come together with friends and family.
“Gather your loved ones, pack a picnic blanket and make a day of it – or even better – camp at the Showgrounds and turn it into a memorable weekend getaway!”
Tickets starting from $10 are now on sale.
For more information, the full program and tickets, visit, heartofgold.com.au
