Image by Kylie Jackson
The first event of its kind for the Sunshine Coast, Horizon is a region-wide creative collaboration that is set to entertain and inspire with artistic events, exhibitions, visual arts, film, street art, poetry, music, dance, new media, workshops and more. Horizon includes more than 170 events, held over the 10 days.
Program officer Dianne Mills told ArtsHub, ‘There was lots of community consultation around developing the festival. There are many separate festivals in the area, and we wanted to bring them all together to create a region-wide celebration of arts and culture.
‘We have had an overwhelming amount of interest in the festival, which shows how great the need was. We have worked hard to make the festival as inclusive, participatory and accessible as possible.’
The aptly-named Sunshine Coast is renowned for its sun, sea and surf, and is visited by thousands of holidaymakers from all over the country. The culturally-rich region is home a diverse range of artists, from established musicians such as Katie Noonan through to emerging artists such as singers The Germein Sisters.
Visit the Horizon website for program details
The Horizon festival will bring together a number of well-established events such as the Maroochy Music and Visual Arts Festival, the Caloundra Film Festival and the Sunshine Coast Art Prize as well as new events such as the Remix Academy Sunshine Coast and the Sunshine Coast International Readers and Writers Festival.
Acting Mayor Councillor Tim Dwyer said Horizon was created to showcase the diverse talents of the local artistic community.
‘A cultural festival of this kind has long been discussed on the Coast and I’m proud to see it come to fruition.’ Cr Dwyer said. ‘Horizon was created to showcase our talented artistic community and provide a platform for them to share their talents with the Sunshine Coast community and visitors.’
Horizon Sunshine Coast events, performances and activities will be held throughout the region including Nambour, Kenilworth, Coolum, Maroochydore and Eumundi.
‘It’s great to also support established events such as the Caloundra Film Festival, which has already been making a name for itself, and with more events still coming on board the program is shaping up to provide a fantastic 10 days – whether you are into film, writing, dance, music or traditional art,’ Cr Dwyer said.
As part of the Caloundra Film Festival and Horizon, the festival will host the world premiere of the new film Thicker than Water, produced by local filmmaker Madeleine Kennedy and starring musician Pete Murray in his acting debut. The suburban drama was set in Caloundra and is a story that explores the fragility of family: the one we are born into, the one we choose, and the one we try to escape.
More events at the Horizon website
Caloundra Film Festival Director Murray Power said, ‘This year the Caloundra Film Festival, in partnership with Horizon, will feature its largest program yet, with events planned for Caloundra, Nambour and Maleny,’ Mr Power said. ‘With film premieres, red carpets, director’s Q&A’s, pop-up cinemas and first time events, this year’s film festival will have something to please everyone.’
The festival will also feature Colour the Street, a vibrant street party featuring 3D chalk art, live music, Indigenous dance, slam poetry and spoken word, street theatre, projections, lanterns, puppetry, a laser light show and a visual arts exhibition in the Old Ambo station.
The full festival program will be released in August. Horizon Festival is presented by the Sunshine Coast Council and supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
