CinefestOZ Film Festival will reveal its full program next Friday, 26 July but audiences are being encouraged to snap up Early Bird tickets to avoid missing out on premiere events.
Tickets are now on sale for all Film Prize finalist screenings and In Conversations, along with a selection of Opening Night premieres, special events and short film sets.
Film Prize finalist GO! – the highly anticipated coming-of-age story filmed on the shores and dirt tracks of Busselton, the heart of CinefestOZ – will have its world premiere on the Opening Night of the festival, followed by a glittering celebration at the Festival Hub.
Another local film in the running for the Film Prize and getting its West Australian premiere at the festival is Albany-shot MIFF@CinefestOZ film H is For Happiness, starring Daisy Axon, Richard Roxborough and Emma Booth, which will have a special festival event screening for the whole family to enjoy.
Early Bird tickets are also available for the Western Australian premieres of Film Prize finalists Hearts and Bones, about a war photographer (Hugo Weaving) and a refugee (Andrew Luri) who discover a photograph that threatens to destroy them both; MIFF@CinefestOZ film Measure for Measure, a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s play of the same name set within Melbourne’s commission flats and starring Weaving alongside Megan Hajjar and Harrison Gilbertson; and Judy & Punch, director Mirrah Foulkes’ debut feature which reimagines the Punch & Judy puppet show as a blackly comic feminist revenge tale and stars Mia Wasikowska and Damon Herriman.
Filmmakers and attending talent from all Film Prize finalist films will walk the red carpet at Orana Cinemas ahead of each premiere and the day after each screening will attend special In-Conversation events, which offer audiences the chance to discover some storytelling secrets and behind-the-scenes tales while enjoying tastes and locations unique to the South West region.
Along with a Busselton film premiering in the town where it was shot, CinefestOZ will also feature a Bunbury made-film making its world premiere there. The Naked Wanderer, from director Alan Lindsay and first-time writer Callan Durlik, stars Angus McLaren and Natasha Liu Bordizzo, along with British comedy icon John Cleese appearing as a guest star, and was shot predominantly in Bunbury and the South West. Locals will be able to celebrate its home-grown success at a star-studded, red carpet event at Grand Cinemas, along with an In-Conversation event.
Margaret River will also host the WA premieres of two locally-made films. Storm in a Teacup is a captivating and deeply personal documentary about one of the region’s best known and loved artists, Leon Pericles and his wife Moira, told by their daughter Nia. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker herself and a live auction in support of Dementia Australia. Slam is a drama from filmmakers Tenille Kennedy, John Fairhead and Clayton Jauncey about an Australian of Middle Eastern descent whose peaceful suburban life turns to hell when his sister Ameena disappears without a trace.
CinefestOZ marquee events selling fast include the Film Prize Jury In Conversation, a special festival experience where the Film Prize Jury, led by Chair Rachel Ward, talk about their filmic lives and experiences over lunch; the CinefestOZ Directors’ Lunch, a highlight of the calendar where film VIPs and festival guests share stories, local cuisine and fine wines; and of course Gala Night, which offers all the glamour, drama and spectacle befitting the announcement of the Screen Legend award and the highly coveted $100,000 Film Prize – Australia’s richest film prize.
Early Bird tickets are also available for the following festival events:
BRABHAM – BUNBURY OPENING NIGHT – Wednesday, 28 August, Grand Cinemas, Bunbury: The documentary about the making of a Formula One legend, Sir Jack Brabham, will get its WA premiere at CinefestOZ, followed by a Q&A with filmmakers and cast members.
FILMMAKERS OF THE FUTURE – Thursday, 29 August, The Weld Theatre, Busselton: The best emerging filmmakers in WA come together in this showcase of upcoming talent, which signals an exciting future for Australian cinema.
WHO’S LAUGHING NOW? AT THE RIVER – Friday, 30 August, The River Hotel, Margaret River: Sit back, relax and get ready to laugh out loud at this night of comedy short films in The River’s back bar. A comedy host will keep the evening upbeat, as the program of fresh and funny films rolls out.
QUEENS IN SCREEN – Saturday, 31 August, Lamont’s, Smiths Beach: Get cosy and settle in for an evening of short films and filmmaker Q&A at Lamont’s Smith Beach over a tasty two-course meal.
The full CinefestOZ film and event program and ticket sales go live on July 26 through the CinefestOZ website www.cinefestoz.com
CinefestOZ is supported by the State Government through Tourism WA’s Regional Events Program. Rio Tinto is a proud Premium Partner of CinefestOZ. The festival acknowledges its strong partnership with Screenwest, Western Australia’s screen funding and development agency.
Early Bird ticket sales – Now on sale
Full ticket sales – 26 July
Festival dates – 28 August – 1 September 2019
