2025 International Film Festival Awards Ceremony

Saturday 11 October 2025

4.30pm to 5.30pm

Gympie Cinema, Monkland Street Gympie Qld 4570

Join us as we celebrate the art of filmmaking, the cornerstone of our four day festival of art and creativity. Films selected for the 2025 program are eligible for a number of awards.

Our unique selection process involves submitted films being viewed by multiple community screener groups across Queensland, whose feedback informs selection for the Festival program. This inclusive process catches niche gems and represents a broader spectrum of film taste.

‘Heart of Gold is a rare festival, in that its remit is focused but also their quality of content that they screen is stellar.’ (Festival Formula)

Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival strongly encourages submissions from filmmakers who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, female, LGBTQIA+, living with a disability, regionally based and culturally and linguistically diverse.

Best Local Student Film

Wonderbot

directed by Alegra Delannoy Iturra

sponsored by Maxwell Walker

Best National Student Film

Let’s Live for Tonight

directed by Chase Bradshaw

sponsored by Maxwell Walker

Best Emerging Director

sponsored by Tom Grady Real Estate and Rural Merchandise

Remi Leclercq

Between Then and Now

Best First Nations Director

Beverley Marcusson

Smiley

Best Female Director

Jessica Sherlock

The Oldest Heart

sponsored by Screaming Birds

Best Documentary Film

While We Still Have Time

directed by Ava Grimshaw-Hall

sponsored by Bamboo Textiles

Best Australian Film

Over (or how to save the world)

directed by Duncan Ragg & Anna Phillips

sponsored by Noosa Film Society

Best Short Film

Rochelle

directed by Tom Furniss

sponsored by Noosa Film Society

Audience Choice Award

Where To?

directed by Jill Worsley

The 2025 Trophies

Manu Bugallo, originally born in France, trained as a Ballet dancer at the National Conservatoire of Lille. With a professional background in the Arts he then moved to London and trained in Antique Restoration & Art Framing with Mark Turner, Rolo Whatley and Ricciardo Giarcherini. He is now based in Gympie and works from his studio The House of Objects of Desire.

Manu developed his own artistic style while training and working as a furniture restorer and art framer in London. Working with antique pieces and artworks of Old Masters such as Turner and contemporary artists including Picasso, Damien Hirst, Francis Bacon and Banksy, Manu built a wide repertoire of expertise and skills.

These trophies, made in Bauhaus style and using gold leaf and reclaimed timber from a 100 year old German made piano, represent the characters and heart of the Creatives. Manu hopes that these trophy awards are received with appreciation from artist to artist.