The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) is coming back to HOTA from February 4 to February 8 with the best AACTA Festival you’ve ever scene!
Emerging and established filmmakers, film buffs and casual fans alike can enjoy a diverse array of sessions, hands-on workshops, exclusive screenings, and special events, all underpinned by the prestigious AACTA Award ceremonies.
With over 100 events — many of them free! — including an expanded music program, some of the highlights this year include the world premiere of eagerly-awaited Two Years Later with Brenton Thwaites and Phoebe Tonkin, followed by a Q&A, and a conversation with Shabana Azeez, fresh off the global success of the Emmy-winning series The Pitt.
Fans will get to hear from Aussie cinematographers behind some of Hollywood’s greatest hits, and even get to witness the Australian premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, Baz Luhrmann’s — this year’s ambassador alongside Catherine Martin — latest epic movie made on the Gold Coast. And for animation fans, Bernard Derriman, Aussie creator of beloved series Bob’s Burgers will unpack what makes it so special in a fascinating session.
Attendees will get to hear about their craft from some of the best in the industry: John Seale, the Oscar-winning cinematographer, will be deconstructing his work on screen for iconic films such as The English Patient, Mad Max: Fury Road, Dead Poets Society, and Harry Potter.
Australia’s largest screen culture festival will also bring over 40 screen industry sessions involving major studios and streaming platforms such as Foxtel, Paramount+, Universal Pictures, Sony Pictures Television, Netflix, HBO Max and Stan, showcasing the very best of Australian and international storytelling, and maybe giving you sneak peeks of what is to come!
You can find the full program for this unmissable celebration of the power of storytelling in the heart of the Australian screen industry here.