The Gold Coast Film Festival’s annual Gala Night is a vibrant celebration of Australian cinema, bringing together filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals. This year’s event was noteworthy, with the presence of two exceptionally talented women: Sabrina Khan and Sophie Pham.
Sabrina Khan, a British-born lawyer of Indian-Afghani background who has achieved significant success advocating for the oppressed and marginalized, recently received a Human Rights Medal conferred by Multicultural New South Wales. This is her second Medal with her first being a Medal of Honour presented by the former President of Fiji for her tireless efforts in building domestic violence educational initiatives in the country. Her legal victories laid the foundation for her transition into filmmaking. Her first film, a powerful piece focusing on domestic violence filmed in Sydney, garnered international acclaim and was even honoured with a national day in the USA. With her second production set for release in the near future, Ms. Khan is focused on exploring further filming initiatives.
Sharing the spotlight was Sophie Pham, a Gold Coast-based producer and script supervisor. A 2022 graduate of Queensland University of Technology (BFA Film, Screen, and New Media), Sophie quickly made her mark, producing several short films before taking on a producing role in the award-winning web series Ruff & Ruby (2025). Supported by Screen Queensland’s Channel Lab Short Cuts initiative, Ruff & Ruby won Best Australian Web Series at the Gold Coast Film Festival directed by Jessica Trinity Fisher.
Drawing on her multicultural background, Sophie is passionate about projects exploring themes of family and community.
Sabrina looked stunning in a beautiful ensemble from Tappoos Fiji, her appearance expertly styled by Nour Alhamwi (hair) and Rayan Arafeh (makeup).
The Gold Coast Film Festival provides a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers, bolstering the Australian film industry. This year’s diverse program showcased a wide range of cinematic talent.
The night was a testament to the power of collaboration and creative vision. Sabrina and Sophie, both achieving success within their respective fields, are exploring opportunities to work together on future projects—a promising prospect.
Photo Credit: Brittany Noring
