2026 Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival
An international arts festival that is grounded in the community.
Right here in the Gympie region.
In 2026 we will celebrate 20 years of how Heart of Gold has become the foundation for a celebration of arts and culture in our region.
Celebrating not only links to our history and also aspirations for the future and the integrity of the human spirit.
This September, we want to take Heart of Gold and amplify it.
More gold.
Festival dates: 12-20 September 2026
Festival Hub: Senior Citizens Centre precinct, 40 Mellor Street Gympie Q 4570
Download a PDF for the printed program HERE
SPECIAL EVENTS
Eddie Ray: Lack of Judgement Day II | Saturday 12 September
Recently toured Adelaide Fringe, Cairns Festival and Brisbane Comedy Festival. Part feature films, park rock concert, all laughs.
SOLD OUT Silent Film With Live Organ | Wednesday 16 September
at Surface Hill Restaurant with special menu and the historic organ accompanying silent films from the 1920s.
GO GOLD BLOCK PARTY | Thursday 17 September
A free community event 5pm to 8.30pm - open air cinema, music, projections and more
SOLID GOLD GALA | Friday 18 September
with food by Chef Matt Golinski, plus a program of entertainment including Waa Widgee Warei dance troop, grooves from Vidaphunk and DJ Paul Ross.
International Film Awards | Sunday 20 September
free for all to attend, come celebrate the art of filmmaking at 12pm in the Parkland Marquee. The cornerstone of our nine day festival. No ticket required.
CREATIVE LAB
A three-day program workshops and learning opportunities | Saturday 12 to Monday 14 September
Film in a Day workshop with Pluggas Studios
Lets Sew a Short Film with Cindy Vogels
Vision Board Pocket Books with Robyn Cook
Physical Theatre with DIVE Theatre
Writing for Actors with Dr Sharon Hogan
Improv Comedy Principles for the Screen with Jenny Wynter
Student film showcase, collaborating with STUFFit STudent Film Festival
Local Voices, Queensland Stories creative forum and showcase of creativity in the Gympie region
INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM PROGRAM
Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September
Thoughtfully curated sessions of short films from around the world
Talks, music and more in Parkland Marquee
Filmmaker location tour of Gympie
Heart of Gold Lunch event
The Gold Bar, coffee and more!
Use the Film Index to find a short film in the program, or explore the Film Program for information on each short film session.
SHORT FILM SESSIONS featuring brilliant Australian and International short films curated into sessions
Friday 18 September
Schools Day program (Fri 18 Sept at 10am)
International Gold (Fri 18 Sept at 2.30pm)
Saturday 19 September
Reel Stories (Sat 19 Sept at 9am)
Sunshine State (Sat 19 Sept at 11am)
Around the World (Sat 19 Sept at 1pm)
Animation (rated M) (Sat 19 Sept at 3pm)
Chucklers (Sat 19 Sept at 5pm)
Solid Gold (Sat 19 Sept at 7pm)
Late Night Gold (Sat 19 Sept at 9pm)
Sunday 20 September
Kool 4 Kids (Sun 20 Sept at 9am)
More Solid Gold (Sun 20 Sept at 10.30am
Quirky, Weird & Wonderful (Sun 20 Sept at 12.30pm)
Screeners Picks (Sun 20 Sept at 2.30pm)
And don't miss the Student Film Showcase on Sunday 13 September at 3.30pm - a free event!
FREE EVENTS
Not ticket required! Just come along and be part of the fun.
Student Film Showcase with STUFFit Student Film Festival | Sunday 13 September
Selected secondary student films submitted to the 2026 Festival, plus a showcase of the best of STUFFit Student Film Festival. The next generation of filmmakers on show. 3.30pm to 5.30pm
GO GOLD BLOCK PARTY | Thursday 17 September
A free community event 5pm to 8.30pm - open air cinema, music, and more in the Fern Street Park.
Live music | Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September
A full program of live original music in the Parkland Marquee commencing at 10am each day.
Comedy Trivia Night | Saturday 19 September
How well do you know your movies? Test your knowledge and have a laugh with us at Comedy Trivia in the Parkland Marquee, 7pm to 9pm.
International Film Awards | Sunday 20 September
Free for all to attend, come celebrate the art of filmmaking at 12pm in the Parkland Marquee. The cornerstone of our nine day festival.
FAQs
- Is there a Festival Pass ticket?
If you purchase 5 General Admission film session tickets then a discount will automatically be applied at checkout that gives you 5 for the price of 4 tickets.
- Is the venue accessible?
Yes! The Festival Hub is located in the precinct of the Gympie Senior Citizens Centre and adjacent park. The building is accessible, at ground level with no stairs. There are bathrooms available for the use of patrons. The Parkland Marquee is located in Fern Street Park which is accessed via Fern, Mcleod and Mellor Streets. The surface is grass and level. There is a ramp for wheelchair access to the park available from the Senior Citizens Centre carpark.
Accessible carpark spaces are reserved in the lower-level carpark of the Senior Citizens Centre, accessed via Mellor Street.
- Do you have companion tickets?
Yes! If you are accompanying someone as a companion, please use code 26COMP at checkout. Applies to all workshops in CREATIVE LAB and short film sessions.
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