Brace yourselves for a heart-pounding cinematic experience as an enthralling short film starring Lincoln Lewis makes its debut here on the Sunshine Coast.
The Gorge, which is about a grieving woman and her friends who must survive a night in the woods when an unseen force begins to hunt them, was shot entirely in the heart of the region.
The film boasts a stellar cast of Australian talents, including acclaimed actors Paul O’Brien and Lincoln Lewis, known for their work in Home and Away and films such as Message Man and Tomorrow When the War Began.
Alongside them are local actors Holly Axsentieff, Jasmine Barui and Nathan Morgan.
Produced by Sunshine Coast-based company Blink Productions in association with Imagination Pictures, the supernatural thriller promises to leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
Related story: TV and film stars head to Coast to shoot new thriller
Mr Lewis, who is the son of rugby league legend Wally Lewis, said he had ticked shooting a film on the Sunshine Coast off his bucket list.
“Being Queensland born and bred, I’m always stoked when I get the opportunity to film a project in my home state,” he said.
Jon Coghill, of the renowned band Powderfinger, lent his expertise as executive producer.
“This short film really showcases the quality of Sunshine Coast filmmaking,” Mr Coghill said.
“(Blink Productions creative director) Matt Young and his team and their unstoppable enthusiasm are what we need to make a successful and viable industry.
“They are driven and passionate storytellers, two characteristics that are invaluable.
“I can’t wait to see the film and I reckon anyone who loves the silver screen should come along to support – and to have a fantastic night as well.”
Mr Young said filming, which took place at Kenilworth, Image Flat and Black Mountain, ran extremely smoothly.
“It’s very exciting to be finished,” he said.
“We got so much support from the council and then Jon Coghill, and it just grew and grew from there.
“It was really cool to work with Jon, Lincoln and Paul. It’s always weird when you’re out with them and they get recognised every five minutes.”
He said the short film was just another example of the region’s popularity for filmmaking and its growing film industry.
“The Coast has so much diversity when it comes to not only crew, cast and talent, but also locations,” he said.
“You could make any genre of film here because you have everything you need right here.“
He said the film’s screenplay, penned by Terrance Young, who is known for his notable works 500 Miles and Project Eden, weaves together suspense and intrigue.
“Terrance, myself and Chevaune Hindley have skilfully produced the project, ensuring a high-quality production,” he said.
“The audience should prepare themselves to be transported into the chilling depths of The Gorge, where secrets and horrors await in this haunting supernatural thriller.”
The film’s premiere will take place on Friday, August 18, at Aussie World.
The black-carpet event will see the attendance of the film’s talented cast and crew, including its director Ryan Neil Butler, whose script Bin Day was a finalist for this year’s Sunny Coast Showdown.
“We are already at 75 per cent capacity filled, which is wonderful,” Mr Young said.
“It will be a great networking opportunity for people within the industry and for people to meet Lincoln and Paul, but also for people just to come and support local creatives.”
As a short film, it cannot be publicly released until about a year after it has done the film festival circuit.
“We’ve entered it into 22 film festivals internationally and nationally,” he said.
“Nothing’s official yet but we’ve had chat with SBS On Demand and those sort of streaming platforms, where hopefully there might be a chance to publicly release it on one of those, after we’ve done the film festival circuit.
“We already have funding committed to our next feature-length film that will also be shot here on the Coast.”
Tickets for the premiere can be purchased here.
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