Welcome Messages

		Richard Featherstone, Chairman Gold Coast Film Festival Welcome everyone to the 10th annual Gold Coast Film Festival and what a Festival this year’s is going to be in its new April spot. When I became Chairman some 4 years or so ago, both Casey our Festival Director and myself as the new kids wanted to move the focus of the Festival away from its origins to become a more encompassing event that would showcase not only the talent we have here in Australia and especially on the coast as well but would also demonstrate to the world all that the Gold Coast has to offer in terms of servicing film making, tourism and business. In that four years the Festival has grown from strength to strength with attendance levels multiplying by record numbers and with the support of all of our fantastic sponsors we have been able to build bit by bit on attaining those goals through industry workshops, showing the films of Queensland Film makers and assisting them to sell their product, and promoting the festival overseas by engaging key industry professionals to come here to dispense their wisdom whilst seeing what we can offer them. Moreover, in this 10th year it is also extremely exciting to have as our ongoing cultural partner, Supanova which will add a new dimension altogether to the Festival and help launch us to a new level on the international circuit. However, whilst sponsorship is key to our progression, we also need you, the public to support and attend the Festival. For this reason we strive to bring you the best film from around the world and where possible give you the first chance to see here in Australia those films which are taking the world by storm. This year we shall be premiering films such as Sci-Fi comedy “Iron Sky” and the new spooky Daniel Radcliffe film, “ The Woman in Black, both major coups for the Gold Coast. Over and above those great films, the program this year is truly bursting at the seams with fantastic films alongside great opportunities to meet and discuss film and film making with legends of the industry like Alan Dean Foster. These are all once in a lifetime chances, so please support your festival and embrace all that there is to offer. Finally, I would like to thank all of the Festival Team who work tirelessly, and more often than not for little or no remuneration, and who help us to deliver this truly world class event. Thank you, and above all Enjoy! Richard Featherstone Chairman Gold Coast Film Festival

		Councillor Susie Douglas, Economic Development and Tourism Committee Chair, Gold Coast City Council Gold Coast City Council’s Business Gold Coast is pleased to be sponsor of the Gold Coast Film Festival once again. Each year the film industry on the Gold Coast injects upwards of $80million into the economy, and accounts for 75 per cent of all Queensland film production. Gold Coast City Council has recognised the importance of film for the region, with the establishment of Film Gold Coast dedicated to the growth of this industry. We are very excited about the diverse program for the 2012 Gold Coast Film Festival and the spotlight this will put on the region as the film hub for Queensland. It is an added bonus that it will be an international production that was filmed locally that will open the 2012 festival. Councillor Susie Douglas Economic Development and Tourism Committee Chair Gold Coast City Council

		Meredith Garlick, Screen Queensland Acting CEO 2012 is a landmark year for Screen Queensland’s support of the Gold Coast Film Festival and the Gold Coast film industry. As one of the founding sponsors of the GCFF and a major investor in the opening night film and Australian premiere of Iron Sky, we congratulate Iron Sky’s Australian producers, New Holland Pictures, the Gold Coast cast and crew who filmed the production in 2010, and the Gold Coast Film Festival for its outstanding programme. We wish them all every success. Meredith Garlick Screen Queensland Acting CEO

		Geoff Dixon, Chairman Events Queensland Welcome to the Gold Coast Film Festival – an annual celebration of screen culture for the region. Film fanatics from interstate and overseas travel to the Gold Coast each year for this festival, which includes a showcase of independent films shot in Queensland. As the Chairman of Tourism Australia and Events Queensland, I know the importance of events like this in driving visitation, showcasing the region and providing vital support to the local tourism industry. Events Queensland supports this festival under the Events Queensland Regional Development Program, which has invested in 856 events right across the State since 2001. I congratulate the event organisers and the local community for their efforts and support. I am sure visitors will enjoy what is another great experience on offer on Queensland’s Gold Coast. Geoff Dixon Chairman Events Queensland