Showfest 2026
Film. Future. Festival. ShowFest returns this October, uniting filmmakers, storytellers, industry leaders, students and audiences on the Sunshine Coast for six days of connection, learning and celebration. Whether you want to connect with industry professionals, discover new films, celebrate local achievements or immerse yourself in the creative energy of our community, ShowFest 2026 is designed for you. Check out what’s on at ShowFest this year… Tuesday 20th October Showdown Showcase – Presented by Walker Corporation at The MET 6:00pm Doors Open 6:30pm-8:00pm screening Our much-loved Showdown Showcase is back, featuring a fresh selection of audience favourites from the Sunny Coast Showdown archives. Experience short films that have launched careers, won awards and inspired audiences, while we celebrate the filmmakers who have helped shape the Sunshine Coast’s screen community. Wednesday 21st October Island Vibes featuring Pacific Island Film Festival at Black Flag Brewery 6:30pm-9:00pm Join us for an evening of cinema that celebrates the cultures, stories and voices of the Pacific. This special screening brings powerful films from across the region to Sunshine Coast audiences, continuing our commitment to sharing diverse perspectives. Thursday 22nd October Innovation in Games & Screen at Altitude Nine GAMES Summit 1:00pm-4:00pm, AI in Film Production 4:00pm-7:00pm An afternoon and evening of creativity, technology and industry connection, bringing together two Screen Collective events exploring the future of games and screen production on the Sunshine Coast. GAMES Sunshine Coast will showcase games created by our members, alongside industry speakers exploring important topics, opportunities and emerging trends within the games industry. Come along to discover local talent, connect with the games community and see what is being created right here on the Sunshine Coast. Speaker announcements and event details coming soon. AI in Film Production-Artificial intelligence is transforming every stage of the filmmaking process, from development through to post-production. Join us for an evening exploring how AI is reshaping the screen industry, featuring industry speakers, live demonstrations, practical insights and forward-looking conversations. Speaker announcements and event details coming soon. Friday 23rd October Screen Summit at Maroochy RSL 9:00am-5:00pm Our flagship professional development event is back, bringing key decision-makers, producers, commissioners and filmmakers to the Sunshine Coast. With keynote presentations, industry panels, workshops and networking throughout the day, Screen Summit is your chance to build connections, gain industry insight and invest in your creative career. Whether you’re just starting out or already established this is an event to put on your calendar. Saturday 24th October GAMES Sunshine Coast LevelUp at ScreenHub Nambour 10:00am-12:00pm, 1:00pm-2:00pm, 2:00pm-3:00pm Games Sunshine Coast LevelUp is a practical workshop day designed to help local game developers build skills, sharpen their projects, and take the next step in their creative practice. LevelUp brings together experienced developers and industry professionals for hands-on sessions giving Sunshine Coast developers practical knowledge they can apply directly to their own development process. Sunshine Coast Screen Awards at The Wharf Mooloolaba 6:00pm-10:00pm Come together with the Sunshine Coast screen collective for an evening celebrating excellence across film, televisions, games and digital media. The Sunshine Coast Screen Awards shine a light on the talent, creativity and achievements of our region’s filmmakers, creators and industry professionals. Sunday 25th October Showdown Shorts at Event Cinemas Kawana 12:00pm-3:00pm Our annual short film showcase is back, championing emerging filmmakers, students and independent storytellers. See the next generation of screen talent as finalists from across the Sunny Coast and Oceania share their work on the big screen, followed by the 2026 Showdown Shorts Awards presentation. One festival. One creative community. ShowFest is more than a festival. It’s where filmmakers find collaborators, ideas become projects, careers take shape and our screen community comes together to celebrate what makes the Sunshine Coast a creative force.