by Dov Kornits
What sort of process was it to allow for the physical event to happen this year?
Initially, we were compelled to plan for an online festival and then garner funding for this. Then, as Western Australia continued to perform well and COVID-19 restrictions eased, an event-based festival with online sessions became our new and current focus. The process involved key team members and the Board committing to back the festival and reimagining the festival in a way that still provided value to our audience and the film industry.
How has CinefestOZ been impacted by the pandemic?
CinefestOZ has always been nimble, intuitive and responsive. While the pandemic threw us a massive curve ball, finding solutions is something we strive for. A strong Board and an experienced team are wonderful assets. We have a streamlined program of Australian film, less large events and less logistics around guests.
What sort of safety/health measures are you putting in place for the event?
Ensuring safety of all those supplying and attending the festival was something we addressed from the get-go and remains a primary priority for us all. In March, as part of our risk analysis, we began to implement a Healthy Event Implementation Plan, informed by the Western Australian government’s guidelines. This is a living guide, shared with the team, our venues and our suppliers. There’s also extensive communication and advice to all those planning to attend physical events. We have fewer venues this year, but each has a working COVID plan in line with regulations.
Were the cinemas participating excited to be involved or did they have concerns?
We are fortunate that our three key screening venues have resumed trading and have their own procedures in place. Venues and local businesses are keen to see the festival being held and our wider WA audience has started buying tickets.
You are not going ahead with the Film Prize this year, was that a difficult decision and can you discuss?
It’s a privilege to award the CinefestOZ Film Prize each year. Since 2014, we have provided the $100,000 prize to the best new Australian film in competition at the festival. Unfortunately, it was not possible to deliver the Film Prize in 2020 as interstate visitation is prohibited as part of the WA Government’s COVID 19 health restrictions. We continue to provide incentives to the industry and this year we introduced a number of awards for Short Films, supported by Screenwest. Entry numbers were unprecedented, and we have 36 short films of an outstanding quality making up five short film sets. It’s all online as well as live.
In the past, you have tried to make the event as a destination festival, especially with visiting filmmakers. Is it going to be challenging to pivot that for 2020?
This year we will miss seeing East Coast filmmakers and visitors face to face, and our thoughts are with everyone as they deal with the effects of Covid-19. However, we have an exciting industry program online as part of the festival that I would encourage industry to get behind. Naturally Western Australian filmmakers and those ‘trapped’ here will attend the physical festival, but there will still be an East Coast presence via technology through various panels and discussions.
We are also very fortunate to have American actress Kate Walsh in town for CinefestOZ this year. Kate has been championing WA and the Australian film industry during her stay in Perth and will provide a fresh, new perspective to the Industry Program.
Can you discuss the technology aspect further?
More than 30 events will be online, including the Short Film showcase which culminates in an awards presentation on 29 August. We’ve worked with our ticketing providers, Ferve, to ensure these are easily accessed.
Also this year, COVID-19 restrictions have given the Industry Program the opportunity to reach a wider audience via live streaming all sessions. The live webinars will be anchored and filmed from the Industry Hub in Busselton, with hosts and guest speakers also participating nationally and internationally.
For the first time our Community screenings (free public viewings) are offered online only.
And our Cinesnaps schools program was first off the mark with its online offerings, which have been really well received.
You would have seen many of the Australian film entries – how do you see 2020 compared to previous years?
It has been a remarkable year for selecting films and we are very pleased to be showcasing 18 feature films, including two WA films. Our Film Program is reduced in the quantity of feature and short films, however quality is high and support from filmmakers continues to be provided from throughout Australia.
CinefestOZ is on between August 25 – 30, 2020
