All eyes turn to the Gold Coast in February with the yearly celebration of the AACTA Awards. This year Russell Crowe will host the award ceremony on Friday 7 February at the Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast (HOTA). The leading Australian screen event will again honour screen excellence, bringing together practitioners across all crafts and industry sectors, including feature film, documentary, short film, television, online, visual effects and animation.
The AFTRS community will watch closely with the Master of Arts Screen short film Gorgo (2021), nominated for the Best Short Film award, among a flurry of nominations for AFTRS alumni. The week-long AACTA celebration, from Wednesday 5 to Sunday 9 February, is not just about awards that celebrate the fantastic work of Australian crews on screen; the AACTA festival also packs informative sessions, hands-on workshops, exclusive screening and special events to provide a first-row view of what it means to work in the screen sector.
For students, career changers and emerging creatives seeking advice on the path forward or wanting to speak with leaders about future productions, the 2025 AACTA Screen Careers Expo (part of the AACTA festival) is the perfect gateway to Australia’s expanding screen industry, bringing together screen practitioners and industry leaders to offer first-hand advice.
Meet our welcoming admissions team at the AACTA Screen Careers Expo to find the answers to all your burning questions about studying at AFTRS, the programs that will best fit your career path and how to be part of our 50-year-strong community. Learn directly from emerging and established industry professionals at the ‘Breaking into the Screen Industry’ talk, from how to build the skills to break into Australia’s Screen Industry, to finding your first crew positions and creating a sustainable and rewarding career.
Stepping up for your next roles? Get behind the business of screen and gain insights on essential strategies and skills that drive successful productions with ‘The Business of Show Business’, presented in partnership with Moneypenny & PKF. And stay ahead of the curve with a first-hand understanding of how virtual production combines real-time game engine visuals with traditional production techniques to unlock new creative possibilities, and learn how it affects crewing and workflows.
The AACTA festival offers unparalleled opportunities to learn about the diverse career pathways within the screen industry and the education and training options to kickstart your journey. Come find us:
- AACTA Screen Careers Expo | Saturday 8 February, from 9am (all day)
Find out everything you need to know about building a career in the exciting screen sector. An opportunity for students and career changers to gain insights about all aspects of the screen industry, the dynamic career pathways on offer, and the education and training available to get you there.
- The Business of Show Business | Saturday 8 February, 2pm (Sold Out)
Pull back the curtain on the financial side of the screen industry and learn the essential strategies and skills that drive successful productions. Gain insights from top industry leaders and understand the ins and outs of film and television business, from budgeting and financing to project management and financial forecasting.
- Breaking Into the Screen Industry | Saturday 8 February, 3:30pm
Figure out how to navigate the thrilling pathways in the screen industry with inside knowledge from emerging and established industry professionals and leading educators as they share their experiences stepping from education to employment. Learn about pathways into the industry and insights into landing your dream role.
Join the conversation with AFTRS CEO Dr Nell Greenwood, and AFTRS alum and producer Katie Amos, whose AFTRS short film, Gorgo, is nominated for the Best Short Film.
- Virtual Production 101 | Sunday 9 February, 1:30pm
Learn how virtual production combines real-time game engine visuals with traditional production techniques to unlock new creative possibilities, streamline workflows and contribute to sustainability in the screen industry.
Access fundamental knowledge with AFTRS Discipline Lead in Innovation and Technology Krista Jordan (The Matrix, The Matrix Reloaded, Rabbit-Proof Fence, Moulin Rouge, and the Academy Award-winning Happy Feet).
You don’t want to miss out—join us and fast-forward your screen career.
