At the end of this month, the South West of WA comes alive as a destination for film with CinefestOZ. A premier destination festival for the Australian film industry with $100,000 film prize up for grabs, the five days of film runs in Busselton, Bunbury, and Margaret River from August 28 to September 1.
In contention for the grand prize will be five Australian films…
GO!
Directed by Owen Trevor (Top Gear), GO! is a sports film about a new kid (William Lodder) in town that’s a natural talent behind the wheel of a go-kart. With the help of a mentor (Richard Roxburgh) he seeks to overcome the odds and win the National Go Kart Championship.
Hearts and Bones
An unlikely friendship occurs between a war photographer (Hugo Weaving) and a South Sudanese refugee (Andrew Luri) due to a past tragedy. Yet in going through the photographic evidence of that tragedy they unlock a mystery that might lead them both to salvation.
Measure for Measure
A contemporary retelling of the Shakespearian classic set against Melbourne’s notorious commission flats, where a world of crime, drugs and racial disharmony reign.
H is for Happiness
Set in the town of Albany, this feel good film is based on the award winning book My Life as an Alphabet. It’s a heart-warming, but unflinching look at a 12 year old girl’s attempts to mend her broken family.
Judy & Punch
A darkly comic, female driven revenge story that reinterprets the popular 17th century puppet show, starring Mia Wasikowska and Damon Herriman.
…Yet these five films are only the tip of the iceberg, with a wide range of features, documentaries and shorts also showing over the festival – many of which will be West Australian premieres. From the pitch black comedy of Below, to the natural grandeur of the Humpback whale in Whale Super Highway, to the flying fist and feet of Hong Kong cinema in Iron Fists and Kung Fu Kicks, there’s a lot of variety on offer here.
Finally CinefestOZ has announced that Kelton Pell (Pine Gap, The Circuit, The Gods of Wheat Street, Three Summers, Bran Nue Day) will be its 2019 Screen Legend. This marks the first time that a West Australian has been named a Screen Legend in CinefestOZ’s 12 year run.
CinefestOZ runs across various South West venues from August 28 to September 1. Check website for details and session times.
