THE MOOGAI – WINS AUSTRALIA’S RICHEST FILM PRIZE AND SCREEN LEGEND ANNOUNCED
The Moogai – Image supplied
CinefestOZ – Australia’s premiere destination film festival – is proud to announce The Moogai, written and directed by John Bell and starring Shari Sebbens and Meyne Wyatt, as the winner of Australia’s richest $100,000 Film Prize for an Australian feature film or feature-length documentary.
The Moogai’s John Bell and Meyne Wyatt were presented the prize by the Hon. David Templeman MLA Minister for Culture and the Arts at the prestigious Film Prize Celebration in Busselton last night following selection by a panel of industry experts.
CinefestOZ Chair Margaret Buswell said, “the CinefestOZ Film Prize champions new and compelling Australian made feature films and on behalf of CinefestOZ I would like to congratulate all our incredible finalists, and winner The Moogai.”
“We are fortunate also to have a sensational cross section of filmmaker talent on our Film Prize Jury, including Chair Rachel Griffiths, US Producer Gary Foster, documentary maker Nel Minchin, actress Tasma Walton and in production-editing Gary Habib.
Together the Jury assessed each of the four finalists Runt, The Moogai and MIFF@CinefestOZ films Audrey and Memoir of a Snail from a perspective of excellence in Australian filmmaking.”
Meyne Wyatt, Jon Bell and Alex White at the Premiere Friday. Image credit: Courtney McAllister
Jury Chair Rachel Griffiths spoke about the decision on behalf of the Jury saying:
“The Jury were really blown away by the range of storytelling in this year’s official selection – from heart-warming, character filled, family film RUNT, to the singular labour of making deep time and soulfulness of Memoir of a Snail to the never seen this kind of screwed up family of Audrey, to the genre bending psychological thriller of The Moogai. It says a lot about our industry that the range of storytelling in form and perspectives can be developed and be realized – in a single year.
Ultimately, only one movie can be awarded and the Jury this year felt The Moogai stood out for its brilliant use of the psychological thriller to explore the intergeneration trauma of the stolen generation in a brilliantly acted, taut and emotionally impactful movie that is inventive – cinematic – and sits comfortably within this internationally appealing genre – telling an old story in a new way. We have no doubt the Moogai will find audiences here at home and abroad and be widely acclaimed for its unique accomplishment.
We applaud all the films this year, however, ultimately there can only be one winner and we know that all the Filmmakers selected will have bright futures and we look forward to what is next for them.
It’s been a fabulous experience being part of CinefestOZ and meeting local content makers and feeling the energy of creativity and storytelling that’s happening here – WA is continuing on its strategic journey to become a strong filmic state and it is really starting to take shape, evidenced by the great films and TV series now being filmed in WA.”
Host Christian Horgan with Jury Chair, Rachel Griffiths AM. Image credit: Courtney McAllister
Producer Mitchell Stanley speaking on behalf of the Moogai team said:
“The whole Moogai team is honoured and thankful to have our film selected to be screened at CinefestOZ, and we were chuffed to be nominated alongside some incredible Australian films and filmmakers in the country with Memoirs Of A Snail, Runt and Audrey.
The Moogai is a First Nations written, directed and produced feature film, and Jon Bell’s directorial feature debut. So to have been selected by the jury to award The Moogai with CinefestOZ 2024 film prize in recognition of the hard work that Jon and the whole team put in to bringing an Indigenous story that talks to the nation’s painful history, it gives us hope and inspiration to keep producing films that are unashamedly Indigenous yet can entertain a wider audience and spark much needed conversation.
It’s recognition that through film we as First Nations Filmmakers actually do have, A VOICE. It wouldn’t be without the support of the First Nations Department at Screen Australia, Screen New South Wales, our partners at Kojo and Spectrum Films, and all of those involved in bringing this film to the world. No Coincidence Media invest in the development of First Nations creatives, and Causeway Films do the same with emerging talent around Australia, so the film prize money will be use to continue to invest in these artists who are shaping the Australian film landscape.
As the first Indigenous Filmmakers Film being awarded with CinefestOz’s film prize which is highly regarding, we are so thankful.”
Arts and Culture Minister David Templeman congratulated the entire cast and crew and said
“it was an honour to present this prize to such a worthy recipient. It is a testament to the great quality films we produce in Australia.
In support of our state’s screen industry, the WA Government’s first Screen Industry Strategy is backed by a $31.9 million investment over four years and includes building workforce capacity to support an increased level of screen production.
Investment in infrastructure also continues to be significant, with construction on the new Perth Film Studios progressing well. The facility will complement existing location-based production and draw a great range of national and international larger scale productions.”
Rachel Griffiths was also recognised at the evening’s Gala for outstanding contribution to the Australian film industry and named the CinefestOZ 2024 Screen Legend.
The Screen Legend is recognised for playing a valuable role in supporting excellence in Australian filmmaking, which CinefestOZ proudly showcases through a variety of film events and screenings across Western Australia’s South West region over the nine-day festival.