While there is no denying from me that The Arts Centre Gold Coast is a lovely venue to host the annual Gold Coast Film Festival, I was a little bit sceptical about the decision to choose that location compared to the usual shopping centre option of previous years (Eg. Pacific Fair / Australia Fair). However, while they may not have had the sheer traffic of people to promote the festival to this year, this did not correlate to a decline in patronage. In fact, the opposite is true.
This year the Gold Coast Film Festival had two main venues: The Arts Centre Gold Coast where many main screenings were held, and the Birch Carroll and Coyle Cinemas in Coolangatta which had a few unique screenings of its own alongside several simultaneous and repeat screenings. With 75 films on offer, multiple lectures from experts in the film industry and multiple other free/paid events on offer; there was clearly something to suit almost every taste.
Prior to the closing night screening of Ex Machina, GCFF ’15 Chairman Richard Featherstone took to the stage to announce some very positive news about the festival: “It’s just been handed to me that this year, our film attendance has gone up by 176%”. From this, it is clear that their line-up and venue choices for 2015 worked. I personally look forward to seeing how they attempt to surpass this significant milestone in 2016. However, especially with special guests like George Takei and Dolph Lundgren in attendance and drawing in the crowds, it will be a hard act to follow.
For a look at some of the films on offer during the now concluded festival, click HERE. More reviews on some of these films will be posted up on The Otaku’s Study in the coming days.
Gold Coast Film Festival 2015 – Preview Reel
