Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival is putting creativity into the hands of the community this September with the inaugural CREATIVE LAB—a three-day program of workshops, learning opportunities and creative exchange celebrating the festival’s 20th anniversary.
Running from Saturday 12 to Monday 14 September, CREATIVE LAB invites people of all ages and experience levels to get curious, get creative and learn new storytelling skills with experienced artists, filmmakers and creative practitioners.
The program has something for everyone—from making a short film in a day and creating characters from fabric, to physical theatre, screenwriting, improvisation and creative journalling.
Festival Director Nicole Harper said CREATIVE LAB reflects Heart of Gold’s commitment to not only screening great stories, but helping people create their own.
“Heart of Gold has always been about the power of storytelling to bring people together. CREATIVE LAB takes that a step further by giving our community the opportunity to get behind the scenes, try something new and make something of their own.
“Whether you’re an aspiring filmmaker, an artist, a young person discovering your creative voice or simply someone who wants to have a go, there’s a workshop for you.”
MAKE A FILM. MAKE A CHARACTER. MAKE SOMETHING NEW.
CREATIVE LAB kicks off on Saturday 12 September with Film in a Day with Pluggas Studios, where participants work as a film crew to create a short film in just one day, learning everything from storyboarding and camera operation through to production.
Artist Cindy Vogels will lead Let’s Sew a Short Film, a playful, hands-on workshop combining sewing, visual art and filmmaking. Participants will create wonderfully weird soft-sculpture characters that will become the stars of a collaborative short film.
For those looking for a more personal creative experience, Robyn Cook from Cultivate the Chaos will lead Vision Board Pocket Books, where participants transform folded paper books, collage, images and words into a portable source of inspiration.
Sunday’s program shifts the focus to performance and screenwriting, with DIVE Theatre’s Physical Theatre workshop exploring the body as a storytelling tool and developing confidence, communication, collaboration and adaptability.
Dr Sharon Hogan will unpack the art of writing dialogue that actors can truly inhabit, while comedian and performer Jenny Wynter will explore how improvisational thinking can unlock screenwriting in Improv Comedy Principles for the Screen.
The day will conclude with a free Student Film Showcase, presented in collaboration with STUFFit Student Film Festival, featuring a curated selection of student films submitted to Heart of Gold alongside standout films from the STUFFit collection. The showcase will also feature the Gympie Flexible Learning Centre school band.
LOCAL VOICES, QUEENSLAND STORIES
CREATIVE LAB concludes on Monday 14 September with Local Voices, Queensland Stories, a creative forum and showcase celebrating the talent, stories and creative work being produced in the Gympie region.
Presented in partnership with Creative Arts Gympie Region, the event will bring together artists, creative practitioners and industry professionals for an evening of conversation, connection, networking and showcasing locally produced work.
The forum will explore the journeys of creative practitioners whose work has travelled beyond the region, demonstrating the capacity of regional artists and creative industries to produce work that resonates with audiences nationally and internationally.
Nicole Harper said the forum was an important addition to the festival’s 20th anniversary program.
“There is an incredible amount of creative work being produced here in the Gympie region, and so much of it travels well beyond our borders. Local Voices, Queensland Stories gives us an opportunity to put a spotlight on those stories, celebrate the people making them and create connections that can help our creative sector grow.”
FILM, MUSIC, COMEDY & MORE!
CREATIVE LAB is part of Heart of Gold’s expanded 20th anniversary festival program, which runs from 12–20 September 2026 and features short films from around the world, live music, filmmaker talks, comedy, special events and community celebrations.
CREATIVE LAB tickets are now on sale, with workshops priced from $10 to $30, while the Student Film Showcase is free.
The CREATIVE LAB project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Festivals Australia program.
