Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival opens at Pavilion

Cowboy boots and glitz met in Gympie when an enthusiastic crowd celebrated the official launch of the international film festival after a three-year hiatus and power outage. See the full gallery.

The Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival has returned for the first time in three years to Gympie.

Despite a severe storm raining out the planned outdoor event and cutting power, the Heart of Gold organisers quickly pivoted to an indoor, battery powered event.

Festivities kicked off on Thursday, October 27, with an opening night soiree. This year’s theme was Ballgowns and Boots.

In the lead-up to the event, the Gympie CBD became draped in gold in support.

The lack of power did not seem to shake festival goers, who proved all that glitters is in fact gold.

Take a look at some of our favourite shots from the night’s festivities:

Juanita Hooper and Suzanne Brown showing off their fantastic frocks.

Laura Godden and Tony Goodman soaking up the atmosphere at the Heart of Gold Festival.

Katie McKenzie, Sofia Abbey, Jonas White and Fletcher Colfs were loving the Heart of Gold opening night soiree.

Grace Laird, who is part of the marketing team for the festival, with Conor Knight.

Mattise Andersen shows off her sequined skirt.

Lois Burvill in her beautiful gown at the Heart of Gold opening night soiree.

Jane Morton, Jesse McArt and Dennis McArt enjoying the opening night festivities.

Local artists Cindy Vogels and Sandra Ross at the Heart of Gold festival.

Callum Page and Dan Taylor enjoying themselves at the opening night soiree.

Rita Marigliani and Elissa Keen at the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival.

Lilli Corias-Smith, Briget Shapter, Robert Matthews and Jenny Qu enjoying a chat at the festival.

Zayne Woodley Lake and Katie Randall enjoying the night at Heart of Gold.

Kirk Radunz and Peter Herrington enjoying the fashions of the festival.

Ben Gerbanas, Andreas Giannopoulos and Rachel Morley are some of the filmmakers showcased at the festival.

Denise Ada and Johanna van Genderen at the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival.

Chris Davis and Karen Jackson sticking to the 'Ballgowns and Boots' theme.

Heart of Gold filmmakers (from left to right) Maren Smith, Vonne Patiag, Cyna Strachan and Liam Heyen.

Patrick Moroney in his best cowboy hat for the opening night soiree of the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival.

Millicent Norman and Sarah Thompson enjoying themselves at the Heart of Gold festival.

Filmmakers Maren Smith and Vonne Patiag in their brightest gold for the festival.

Pauline Rogers, Sandra Naidoo and Sheila Kath are volunteers at the Heart of Gold festival.

Heart of Gold festival director Jackson Lapsley Scott looking dashing.

Naomi and Imogen Wilson in their gorgeous gowns at the Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival.

Lawrence Menard and Clare Quinn, better known as 'Those Folk' preparing to perform at the Heart of Gold opening night.

Tani Crotty and Haggan Dillewaard in their best cowboy fashion at the Heart of Gold festival.

Heart of Gold festival manager Anika Crotty looking beautiful in her green gown.