Director Baz Luhrmann has coined the Gold Coast ‘Goldywood’ as the city leads the way forward for the Australian film industry

The Gold Coast has been dubbed ‘Goldywood’ by a leading director as production ramps up in the city. Here’s what’s happening in the burgeoning movie scene.

GOLDYWOOD fever is setting in and it’s here to stay, with eight time Academy Award nominated film, Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis, screening large and free at HOTA on March 25.

Pushed back from March 10 on account of weather, the event, hosted by actor Lincoln Lewis and featuring special guest – young Elvis himself Chaydon Jay – is anticipated to kick-off a year-round film screening program.

Actors Chaydon Jay (aka young Elvis) and Lincoln Lewis. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The screen culture program follows the announcement that the prestigious Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Awards will take place on the Gold Coast next year, with AACTA president Russell Crowe citing Queensland as “leading the way” in the Australian film industry.

It will provide the Gold Coast with a range of screen-related events in an effort to engage Gold Coast audiences.

Elvis actor Chaydon said it was incredible to see such traction on the Gold Coast.

“Elvis holds such a close place with the city,” he said.

“To have a screening to celebrate the film and its connection to the Gold Coast is something I myself am so grateful for.”

Actors Chaydon Jay and Lincoln Lewis. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Host Lincoln Lewis, known for a career than spans two decades in roles like Tomorrow, When the War Began, Danger Close and Bait, said it was “epic” to see the screen culture program on the Gold Coast.

Mr Lewis said the film and its continued buzz is testament to the growing momentum of “Goldywood” fever.

“Baz (Luhrmann) has moved his production company here and has nicknamed it Goldywood,” Mr Lewis said.

“That along with the fact he’s saying the Gold Coast is the next production hub – he’s one of the most accomplished directors in the world – the fact he wants to be here and continually make films here just shows where this industry is headed.

“We’ve had a lot of huge Hollywood and local productions here on the Gold Coast – Kong, Thor, Aquaman – but the buzz Elvis brought along with the momentum that still follows is unlike anything I’ve witnessed.

“We have the location, we have the best crews in the world, we have such an incredible array of talent, so that momentum is going to keep growing and Elvis is testament to that.”

Ticketing information is available via the HOTA website.