Celebrations are in order after CinefestOZ and Goolarri Media were named joint recipients of one of the 2022 Arts Impact WA Grants for $100,000.
The inaugural Arts Impact WA Grant round is made possible through the generous support from a dedicated Committee as well as donors with a passion for the arts sector and making a positive difference to the community in Western Australia.
The $100,000 contribution will allow Goolarri Media, a Broome based Indigenous media organisation and CinefestOZ to add a Broome festival to the calendar, with the goal of becoming Australia’s premier Indigenous focused Film Festival. The event honouring First Nations filmmakers with a sound community program including Schools, will unfold over four days from November 3-6.
The grant backs impactful arts projects, allowing them the opportunity to pitch their ideas and inspire major change with their work.
Goolarri Media CEO Jodie Bell pitched the project to an engaged audience with prominent Indigenous filmmaker and CinefestOZ Board Member Jub Clerc joining via video to support the project.
CinefestOZ CEO Malinda Nixon is thrilled about bringing CinefestOZ to the Broome community, she commented “ CinefestOZ and Goolarri Media have a sound working relationship developing IndigifestOZ as part of the the South West festival and are looking forward to expanding this to Broome.”
Bell is also excited about what this collaboration will mean for Indigenous creatives and Broome’s filmmaking landscape.
“CinefestOZ Broome presents such an exciting opportunity for Kimberley people – the festival will bring Indigenous filmmakers to the region to present their stories and share their skills with the community, in particular the youth of our community, who we hope will be inspired to become the next generation of Indigenous storytellers and filmmakers.”
CinefestOZ Broome will also deliver film screenings and industry events in addition to IndigifestOZ: the festival’s Indigenous film program. No stranger to the film scene, the region is home to feature films such as Bran Nue Dae and Mad Bastards, along with the successful Mystery Road 2. Its rich cultural history, promising local talent and natural beauty makes Broome the perfect destination for CinefestOZ.
The festival’s partnership with Goolari Media will provide great economic and social benefits, boosting tourism, acknowledging Broome as the film hub of the Kimberley and showcasing the region as an appealing location for screen industry professionals.
It will open up job, internship and volunteer opportunities as well, encouraging the community to be part of this exciting new festival.
CinefestOZ thanks Screenwest, Lotterywest and The Shire of Broome for their support.
