Told through the eyes of Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker, the movie follows the star's life from his beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi, to the heights of his fame.

Austin Butler stars as Elvis and Tom Hanks as his exploitative manager.

Elvis was filmed on the Gold Coast and actor David Wenham, who plays country icon Hank Snow, said Saturday's screening feels like bringing the film home.

"So many people from this area worked on the film, so Baz was adamant that the premiere had to be on the Goldie," he told AAP.

Director Baz Luhrmann arrived wearing a pink-and-black outfit complete with a jewelled Elvis belt buckle.

He told AAP he was excited to share the film with Australia, and said the final product is a vindication of local cast and crew.

"I was told a million times you cannot make Vegas here. You cannot do Graceland here," he said.

"I hope that they look at it and they go wow, we can do that, because they can."

Running just above two-and-a-half hours, Elvis received a 12-minute standing ovation at its Cannes premiere but has garnered mixed reviews.

Critics have been united however, by their praise for Butler's all-singing, all-dancing performance as Elvis.

Actor Helen Thomson, who plays his mother, told AAP the 30-year-old deserves all the success in the world.

"During some of the numbers we would all come and just watch, thinking he's just phenomenal. And not only that, he's some very kind and generous human being."

Australian Associated Press