Cerebral palsy advocate and actor Damian McCoy, stars in Blue Horizon at Gold Coast Film Festival 2025

Born with cerebral palsy Damian McCoy knows what it’s like to be told he would never achieve his goals. Now he’s a force to be reckoned with at Gold Coast Film Festival.

From tragedy to film star, Damian McCoy is a force to be reckoned with this Gold Coast Film Festival.

Born with cerebral palsy the former Tasmanian said he knows what it’s like to be told he would never achieve his goals.

Having seen his mother and primary carer tragically pass away beside him after a horrifying car accident, he left his former life behind and moved to the Gold Coast where he found himself volunteering at Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) in 2020.

Five years later the actor is one of the stars of this year’s major festival event in the Josh Hale movie, Blue Horizon, which follows the story of a man forced to re-evaluate his way of life.

Launching the 2025 Gold Coast Film Festival at HOTA with buckets of popcorn are actor Damian McCoy, festival ambassador Lincoln Lewis, festival CEO Luke Wheatley and writer, director, producer Josh Hale. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I’m so grateful for Josh (Hale) and his team for taking me on board and for us to be able to share this story.

“ .... Dougie is based on myself 25 years ago.

“I was not the guy you see today. I was a very timid guy. People would tell me I couldn’t achieve my dreams. I never spoke to anyone, I never associated with anyone.”

Now the life of the party, Mr McCoy said he was able to become himself when moving to the Gold Coast, able to push forward, just like he was able to do with his character in the film.

Writer, director and producer Mr Hale said that was the premise of the movie – and he found the perfect person to portray that in Mr McCoy.

“I used to do a lot of volunteer work with the Special Olympics, so I wanted to tell a feel good story,” he said.

A still shot from Blue Horizon.

“I wanted showcase and break down some of the stereotypes that come along with people with disabilities and I wanted to showcase that in a way of positivity.”

The duo said they both aspired for people to move away from the film with hope in their hearts.

“We have one life, one opportunity,” Mr McCoy said.

“Give it everything – this was a dream of mine that started 20 years ago. I visualised it, I was told I couldn’t do it but I didn’t stop.”

Blue Horizon, filmed here on the Gold Coast, also stars singer Pete Murray, David Cook and Chantal Elys and has its world premiere at GCFF closing night on May 11.

Mr Hale said closing out the 12 day HOTA event meant so much.

“This has been a journey,” he said.

Pete Murray in Blue Horizon.

“I hope it inspires upcoming filmmakers to tell their story, and I hope it inspires people to be more generous, kind to people that live with disabilities and be inclusive, because somebody facing that kind of adversity is crazy to me – because we’re all humans having an experience.”

The Gold Coast Film Festival starts April 30 with Sundance Film Festival favourite The Ballad of Wallis Island opening the major event.

Originally published as Cerebral palsy advocate and actor Damian McCoy, stars in Blue Horizon at Gold Coast Film Festival 2025