by FilmInk Staff
Australia’s biggest screen industry event returns to the Gold Coast from 3-7 February 2027, with the AACTA Awards presented by BINGE set for Friday 5 February.
The AACTA Awards and Festival have cemented the Gold Coast as a major destination for screen culture, with the Festival now spanning more than 100 events, 350 speakers and tens of thousands of attendees across five days. We have welcomed some of Australia’s most celebrated screen talent, including Margot Robbie, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Snook, Dacre Montgomery, Yerin Ha, Baz Luhrmann, Mandy Walker, Warwick Thornton, Michael Gracey and Leah Purcell, alongside major international guests including Henry Cavill, Ron Howard, Brian Cox and Robbie Williams, as well as hundreds of leading filmmakers, screen creatives and emerging talent from across the industry. From red-carpet premieres and landmark reunions to exclusive conversations and filmmaking masterclasses, AACTA Festival delivered an incredible program celebrating the breadth, creativity and global impact of Australian screen culture and production.
AACTA Festival will build on this momentum in 2027, bringing together the biggest names in film, television and digital entertainment for five days of screenings, conversations, masterclasses, industry events, special experiences and opportunities to connect with the people shaping the future of screen.
Now an established fixture on the Australian screen calendar, AACTA Festival will once again transform HOTA into a hub for screen culture, welcoming audiences, industry professionals, emerging creatives, students and screen fans from across Australia and beyond.
AACTA Chair Jack Christian said, “We’re incredibly proud of how the AACTA Awards and Festival have grown on the Gold Coast over the past three years. There is nothing else quite like it on the Australian screen calendar.
“It is a week that celebrates achievement, creates opportunity and puts Australian screen talent firmly in the spotlight. In 2027, we’re taking another step forward with an even more ambitious five days of celebration, conversation and connection, showcasing the very best of Australian screen and bringing our industry together.”
PLAN YOUR WEEK: SCREEN’S BIGGEST NAMES AND STORIES
The 2027 AACTA Festival will officially open on Wednesday 3 February with the AACTA Awards Industry Gala & Official After Party presented by Screen Queensland, bringing together Australia’s screen industry to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the past year.
The AACTA Festival Industry Day will follow on Thursday 4 February, providing a dedicated day of thought-provoking conversations, networking and professional development, with leading Australian and international screen practitioners exploring the ideas, opportunities and challenges shaping the industry.
On Friday 5 February, the spotlight will turn to the AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by BINGE, recognising the outstanding achievements of Australian film, television and online storytelling. The evening will continue with the official AACTA Awards After Party, bringing nominees, winners, industry and special guests together to celebrate.
Across the weekend, AACTA Festival will continue with an expanded program of screenings, special events, masterclasses, conversations, activations and experiences at HOTA.
The AACTA Screen Careers Expo will also return on Saturday 6 February, providing aspiring screen professionals with opportunities to connect with industry, discover career pathways and gain valuable insights into working across film, television and the broader screen sector. Further details will be announced in the coming months.
Make the most of your time on the Gold Coast with our dedicated Deals & Offers, featuring a range of accommodation, dining and experience deals to help you extend your stay, explore the city and experience more while you’re here.
Explore the latest Gold Coast deals and offers at aactafestival.com.
Minister for the Environment and Tourism Andrew Powell said AACTA’s return was another win for Queensland’s visitor economy. “The return of AACTA is another vote of confidence in Queensland as Australia’s events capital.
“Major events like AACTA attract visitors, support local jobs and showcase the very best of our State.
“Through Destination 2045, we’re growing a world-class events calendar that keeps Queensland the home of the holiday and a destination people want to visit time and again.” Minister Powell said.
HELP SHAPE AACTA FESTIVAL 2027
With preparations for AACTA Festival 2027 now underway, expressions of interest are open for the screen community to get involved and help shape this year’s Festival.
AACTA is inviting submissions from industry and the wider screen community for Festival event ideas, speakers, moderators and volunteers, as well as expressions of interest from organisations interested in sponsoring or partnering with AACTA Festival 2027.
Whether you have an idea for an event, are interested in sharing your expertise with Festival audiences, want to volunteer behind the scenes or are looking to connect your brand with Australia’s screen industry, AACTA welcomes expressions of interest from across the screen community.
Queensland Minister for the Arts, John-Paul Langbroek said that “The AACTA Awards and Festival continues to be a highlight of Queensland’s screen culture calendar. With a packed program that connects the best of the Australian industry with the next generation of filmmakers, celebrates screen excellence and highlights the creativity of the sector, the AACTA Awards and Festival is an unmissable experience. The Crisafulli Government is proud to support the 2027 event in February.”
SAVE THE DATE
AACTA Festival 2027
Wednesday 3 – Sunday 7 February 2027
HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast
AACTA Awards Industry Gala & Official After Party presented by Screen Queensland
Wednesday 3 February 2027
AACTA Festival Industry Day
Thursday 4 February 2027
AACTA Awards Ceremony presented by BINGE & Official After Party
Friday 5 February 2027
AACTA Screen Careers Expo
Saturday 6 February 2027
Further Festival announcements, including headline speakers, program highlights and ticketing information, will be announced in the coming months.
For more information, visit aactafestival.com
“Hosting the AACTA Awards and Festival for the fourth consecutive year highlights the strength of the partnership our city has formed with this dynamic industry,” said Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
“Apart from celebrating Australia’s incredible talent in film, television and digital storytelling, the festival’s program gives budding film makers, writers and producers the chance to hone their craft through workshops and plenary sessions.
“I applaud AACTA for bringing together a fantastic schedule for 2027 and I look forward to hosting industry leaders, creators and fans for another inspiring week at HOTA, Home of the Arts, where art, culture, entertainment and lifestyle meet.”
