The ‘Heart of Gold’ International Short Film Festival will this year be returning for its 11th year of celebrating cinematography. Since its inception, the festival’s mission has been to provide a stage to the best of the best short films from around the world. They especially looks for those films that encapsulate what it is to touch audiences emotionally through the magic of film making.

This October Gympie will once again play host, from the 4th of October until the 7th, to this truly important event, that places our beautiful Sunshine Coast Region on the map in the world of film making.

The four-day program includes industry master-classes, a spectacular opening night gala, awards night party and up to 30 sessions of shorts from all genres that best capture Heart of Gold’s vision to screen films that are positive, witty, entertaining, joyous, uplifting, enlightening and ground-breaking. They can be edgy, they can be thought-provoking and they can be downright hilarious – as long as they “beat with a good, strong heart”. All films in the festival compete for the Best Short Film award, which carries a generous prize of $5000. Other award categories include: Best Australian Short Film, Best Student Short Film (University Students), Screener’s Choice, Best Cinematography, Best Script, and Younger at Heart (for budding high school film-makers). It truly is a fantastic opportunity for students and young dreamers to have their creations seen for the first time on the big screen – not to mention the generous boost to their resources and the vast amount of knowledge and expertise on offer through the master-classes.

This year’s theme, along with its itinerary are as yet unannounced, with some level of secrecy around the big reveal teased on their official website – but if previous years are any indication this is one small film festival you don’t want to miss.

For more information as it comes to light, or to buy your tickets visit the official website for the Festival here.