- Australia's premier film festival, CinefestOZ, to offer more than 200 screen-related events from 29 August to 3 September across the South West
- Festival to include screenings of this year's four $100,000 Film Prize finalists
- Supported by the WA Government's Regional Events Program
Homegrown talent, international celebrities and the natural beauty of the South West will be in the spotlight when the red carpet rolls out this week for CinefestOZ.
From today, Australia's premier destination film festival now in its 16thyear will host screenings of a diverse range of Australian films and provide a platform for the nation's best new filmmakers to showcase their latest works to festivalgoers and industry peers.
The six-day festival will feature more than 200 free and ticketed screen-related events in around 25 venues across the South West region, including local wineries, galleries, cinemas and small bars. It will also offer festivalgoers a chance to connect with filmmakers and visiting talent.
The festival brings global media attention to the South West and attracts thousands of visitors to the range of events held throughout the region, including in Augusta, Bunbury, Busselton, Dunsborough and Margaret River, adding vibrancy and excitement during the cooler winter season, generating jobs and income for the local economy.
The event is funded by through the WA Government's Regional Events Program, as well as supported by Screenwest, Lotterywest, and the Commonwealth Government through Screen Australia.
On offer for lovers of the big screen will be this year's $100,000 Film Prize finalists: Bromley: Light After Dark; Monolith; Melbourne International Film Festival films Shayda, and The Rooster, featuring a star-studded cast, including Hugo Weaving.
The $100,000 prize is the largest film award in the nation for an Australian-made film. It was established in 2014 to recognise excellence in an Australian feature film or feature-length documentary and entices a high standard of submissions each year.
This year's Film Prize Jury panel includes acclaimed director, producer and screenwriter Robert Connolly; Hollywood producer, Debbie Liebling; international award-winning actor and director, Mia Wasikowska; film, television and theatre actor, Rob Collins; and four-time Emmy award winner and production designer, Deborah Riley.
CinefestOZ also features a dedicated schools program, Cinesnaps, with the aim of inspiring local students to develop an appreciation for the filmmaking process, along with free 'Community Days' featuring IndigifestOZ, which showcase First Nations filmmaking and talent.
Read more about the festival's program and buy tickets at CinefestOZ.com.
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"It's wonderful to see Australian-made movies putting Western Australia on the world stage and cementing the region's place in the global film industry.
"The 16th CinefestOZ Film Festival is expected to once again shine a huge global spotlight on the beautiful South West as a leading tourism and creative destination.
"I encourage everyone who is planning to travel to the South West for this event to stay a bit longer and take the time to experience the region's amazing wineries, delicious produce and coastal beauty as part of their stay."
Comments attributed to Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"Western Australia's growing screen industry is creating jobs for locals, both in the regions and in the metropolitan area.
"Cinefest Oz is a fantastic event that showcases our magnificent natural landscapes, as well as our rich creative talents.
"I am proud to be part of a Government that is investing in our screen industry by constructing a screen production studio and supporting the industry through the Screen Production Attraction Fund and the Western Australian Regional Film Fund."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
"Western Australia's unique regions are home to some very talented creative professionals, and it's fantastic to see local talent finding employment and professional development opportunities working on Australian-filmed productions.
"I am pleased that the WA Government funding is helping to grow our film industry, create jobs for locals, and promote our wonderful state to the world."
