One of Australia’s most fascinating film festivals, CinefestOZ is ready to roll for 2024…
“Festivalgoers will find a feast of drama, comedy and feel-good family films as well as horror, sci-fi and thought-provoking and inspirational real-life stories,” says CinefestOZ CEO Cassandra Jordan. “What I love about CinefestOZ is that in addition to seeing some of the best new films first, you also have the opportunity to hear from and meet visiting filmmakers both in the cinema and at wineries, boutique breweries, restaurants and galleries across our beautiful South West. More visiting filmmakers will be announced over the coming weeks, including the Film Prize Jury who have the challenging task of determining the winner of the 2024 CinefestOZ Film Prize.”
Rolling out across key locations in the glorious landscape of Western Australia’s South West, CinefestOZ is one of this country’s most consistently engaging and creative film festivals. Year upon year since its inception, CinefestOZ has provided highlight after highlight, and this year’s event is certain to continue that very happy tradition with the release of its programme of screenings and events. Leading the charge will be an exclusive preview of the new family comedy Runt, adapted from Craig Silvey’s novel and starring Celeste Barber, Jai Courtney and Jack Thompson, which will be followed by more than 80 feature, documentary and short films.
There will also be a huge array of local talent. Walking the red carpet at the festival this year will be Academy Award winning director Adam Elliot and producer Liz Kearney (Memoir of a Snail), WA screenwriter Craig Silvey and actor Joel Jackson (Runt), Indigenous director John Bell (The Moogai), and producer Michael Wrenn and actress and disability rights advocate Hannah Diviney (Audrey) – all of whose films are finalists for Australia’s richest $100000 Film Prize. The creators of the emotionally charged new drama He Ain’t Heavy, director David Vincent Smith and producer Jess Parker are also headed in for the WA premiere of their film, which stars Sam Corlett (Vikings:Valhalla) and screen royalty Greta Scacchi.
Ahead of each Film Prize premiere screening, filmmakers and attending talent will walk the red carpet, followed by an after-party at a South West hotspot. Each Film Prize film is also paired with a unique In Conversation dining experience, which takes place the following day and is where the filmmakers share with guests how they brought their projects to life, while enjoying sensational food at some of the South West’s best restaurants.
A film festival that truly takes advantage of the beautiful region in which it unspools, CinefestOZ is all set for another great year…
CinefestOZ runs from August 31-September 8. For all information on CinefestOZ, click here.
