A Red Carpet Welcome Down Under For Don’t Be Prey

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The 2026 Gold Coast Film Festival will culminate with the Australian Premiere of Don’t Be Prey (@dontbeprey.film, IMDb here), the riveting story of Mark Sowerby (52, Australia, MSF bio here) who achieved the Oceans Seven ten years after his first channel crossing of the English Channel.

After the film has completed its tour of the UK and Ireland, the 1 hour 34 minute film directed by Jeff Tseng showcases a cast of characters that represent the global open water community. It features the raw vulnerability faced by every channel swimmer while showing the underlining physical difficulties and emotional challenge of their breathtaking ocean feats. Sowerby is the driver, but the rest of his crew – led by his coach Tim Denyer (@redtopperformance) and his wife Heidi Sowerby – is always nearby in an uplifting journey of resilience that shows a dramatic reinvention from a professional upheaval and what it takes to survive in the harshest environment.

Beyond the screen, the 2026 Gold Coast Film Festival delivers an exceptional events program designed to inspire, celebrate and connect the screen community. “Our focus is to deliver bold storytelling from voices around the world while building the incredible industry we have here in South East Queensland,” said Luke Wheatley, CEO of the Gold Coast Film Festival. “Our opening and closing night films are a taste of what is to come from an exciting festival.”

Jacqui Feeney, CEO Screen Queensland, says, “The Gold Coast Film Festival celebrates the creativity, storytelling and diversity that drive Queensland’s standing as a globally competitive screen production destination. This year’s program showcases the strength of our local sector, with eight Queensl and titles screening alongside a compelling mix of national and international films, including the local documentary Don’t Be Prey. We encourage audiences from across Queensland and beyond to experience these stories on the big screen and support the exceptional filmmakers behind them.”

Tickets are on sale now to Opening and Closing Night Red Carpet Galas at the iconic Warner Bros. Movie World and the featured events through www.gcff.com.au and the full program for GCFF will be available from April 2nd.

The Gold Coast Film Festival 2026, held between April 22nd and May 3rd, s possible thanks to the support of our Major Partners Screen Queensland, Invest Gold Coast, Tourism and Events Queensland along with venue partner Home of the Arts.