By Travis Johnson
Gillian Armstrong will chair the panel of experts who will choose the winner of the $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize at this year’s festival, which opens on August 24.
The acclaimed director, known for My Brilliant Career among a dozen others, will be joined by producer Sue Taylor (The Tree, Looking For Grace), cinematographer Garry Phillips (House of Hancock, The Railway Man, Candy), actor and director Damian Walshe-Howling (Janet King, Underbelly) and actress Emma Booth (Hounds of Love, Gods of Egypt, Jack Irish).
Last year, the prize was taken out by the affecting documentary, Putuparri and the Rainmakers, which tracked an Aboriginal man’s quest to connect with the land of his people. This year, four films are vying for the honour: The Death and Life of Otto Bloom, Girl Asleep, Jasper Jones and Spin Out, with the winner being named at the Festival’s Gala Night on Saturday 27 August.
“We are delighted to bring such diverse minds together to spark conversation,” Helen Shervington, the Festival Chair, noted. “Our jurors are as unique and multi-faceted as the films they will judge.”
CinefestOZ runs in Busselton and the surrounding area from August 24 – 28. For full info, hit up the official site.
