Gold Coast Film Festival 2021

Overview

There are a variety of ways to enjoy a great movie. Heading to the cinema is one of the best, of course, but you can get your big screen fix in multiple ways, too. Perhaps you'd like to watch a classic comedy on a rooftop? Maybe you're keen on wearing pink, drinking cocktails and paying tribute to a retro favourite? Or, you could like watching flicks in a brewery — with beers, obviously — or while perched 77 levels above the ground.

They're just some of the options at the 2021 Gold Coast Film Festival, which returns for another year from Wednesday, April 14–Sunday, April 25, and will once again take over multiple venues around the beachside city. Under the guidance of new director Aimée Lindorff, the fest will showcase more than 100 films, talks and parties. And if you're keen on special events, this celebration of cinema has already revealed plenty.

Those eager to scale Australia Fair Shopping Centre can watch Clueless under the stars — at a secret rooftop location at the venue. And, if your wardrobe calls for it, you can hop over to the QT Gold Coast for a pink-themed Legally Blonde party and screening. Beer lovers can make a date with Burleigh Cinema at Burleigh Brewing Company, and pick between Aussie great Two Hands and the Margot Robbie-starring I, Tonya. Or, up at the Skypoint Observation Deck in the Q1 Building, you can catch family classics like Dumbo, Up and Mary Poppins Returns.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aadma1bi34o

Across the main program, there's obviously more than a few things to see, too — starting with opening night documentary Playing with Sharks, about scuba diver and marine life advocate Valerie Taylor. Other notable titles and events include a Lord of the Rings marathon, the Nicolas Cage-starring Willy's Wonderland, powerful female-focused anthology film Force of Habit, Italian drama Martin Eden and cringe-inducing comedy Shiva Baby. There's also The Perfect Candidate, the latest feature from Wadjda director Haifaa Al-Mansour, plus the pandemic-set Greek flick Apples, which definitely doesn't play out as you might expect at the moment.

Updated April 12.