First established in 2008 by David Barton and Helen Shervington, CinefestOz initially marked the French bicentenary of Antipodean exploration of the WA’s South West. Twelve years on and the festival is now a major event on the annual event calendar. Held over five days the festival boast several World and Australian premiers along with the largest Australian film prize, the $100,000 CinefestOz Film Prize. Here’s a summary of what we heard at the program launch.
Over the years the festival has grown to a point where this year there will be 150 film screening events. This will include 15 world, 11 Australian and 53 WA premiers. We’ll see feature films, documentaries and industry workshops. If that’s not enough there’ll also be 80 short films shown in cool bars and restaurants around town, plus in Conversations in wineries and breweries. Makes me tired just thinking about it.
Naturally there’ll be an unmissable Gala Night. There’ll also be red carpet film screenings that will see a myriad of legendary Australian actors flying in for the fun, including Bryan Brown and his wife Rachel Ward who will take up the Film Prize Jury chair.
Some of the other film guests coming over include: Marta Dusseldorp, Kelton Pell, Emma Booth, Angus McLaren, Eddie Baroo, Roz Hammond, Travis Jeffery, Glenn Gainor and Myles Pollard. A wide range of film makers will also be attending with several being part of Q&A sessions and discussions.
Films up for the prized CinefestOz Award (and therefore should be seen before the award is announced) are: Go (World premier); and WA premiers – Hearts and Bones; H is for Happiness; Judy & Punch; and Measure for Measure. Other Australian premiers include Dark Whispers, Emu Runner and Standing Up For Sunny. WA Film World premiers include The Naked Wanderer and Storm in a teacup.
This year also has a range of films from our cousins across the ditch in New Zealand, including Bellbird, Vai and Daffodils. French films include A Faithful Man, Non-Fiction and Family Photo.
The industry section includes sessions about embracing technology along with opportunities to hear from guest filmmakers and industry experts.
All in all it’s a huge candy shop for anyone working in or interested in film. Throw in the fact that the events will be run throughout the South West in Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River and I know my credit card is in trouble.
“I love this festival it’s a great boon for the southern region,” said the Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC.
The program is out now so get your tickets before it sells out, and download the CinefestOz App.
August 28 to September 1 2019. Save the date.
