Film Prize Finalists
CinefestOZ is thrilled to announce that four dramatically different Australian films have been selected to go in the running to win Australia’s richest $100,000 film prize at the 2024 CinefestOZ Film Festival.
The Film Prize FInalists for 2024 are hilarious new family comedy Runt, written by Craig Silvey, directed by John Sheedy and starring Celeste Barber, Jai Courtney and Jack Thompson; animated drama Memoir of a Snail MIFF@CinefestOZ, by Oscar winning director Adam Elliot and featuring the voices of Sarah Snook, Eric Bana and Jackie Weaver; dark comedy Audrey MIFF@CinefestOZ, by director Natalie Bailey with actors Jackie van Beek and Jeremy Lindsay Taylor; and the thought-provoking, Indigenous horror The Moogai by director Jon Bell and starring Shari Sebbens and Meyne Wyatt.
CinefestOZ CEO Cassandra Jordan said: “I’m excited to share our four finalists for the 2024 Film Prize, which recognises excellence in filmmaking from an Australian feature film.”
“I am also delighted that these films will have their Western Australian premiere at Australia’s largest destination film festival – CinefestOZ – where festivalgoers have the opportunity to see these films first alongside visiting film talent as well as a Jury of film industry experts, who will decide 2024 Film Prize winner, which will be announced at the spectacular Film Prize Celebration event on 7 September.”
AUDREY | MIFF@CINEFESTOZ
Married couple Ronnie and Cormack have, with their teenage daughters Audrey and Norah, long-since lapsed into some unusual habits. High energy mum Ronnie has dreamed of becoming an actress forever but now mostly lives that dream through Audrey, who couldn’t care less. Meanwhile affable dad Cormack can’t stop pursuing his libido–as discreetly as he can… which is, not very discreetly. Directed by Natalie Bailey, Audrey’s brilliant ensemble cast includes Jackie van Beek, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor and Josephine Blazier. With just the right mix of suburban desperation leading to some laugh-out-loud moments, Audrey is 2024’s top-tier black Aussie comedy.
Audrey MIFF@CinefestOZ InConversation | Fri 6 Sep, 12noon @ Inara Restaurant
Join the filmmaking team to hear more about the long journey and the intricacies of working with clay to make a feature film! Lunch at the new hotspot Inara, a warm and inviting atmosphere where coastal charm meets fine dining.
Premier Screening InConversation ticketsMEMOIR OF A SNAIL | MIFF@CINEFESTOZ
Oscar-winner Adam Elliot, one of Australia’s greatest filmmaking treasures, returns with an outstanding second feature. Memoir of a Snail concerns Grace Pudel (voiced by Sarah Snook), a reclusive woman who has been let down in life. Hiding away from the world, Grace tries to content herself with romance novels, hoarding, and guinea pigs. Separated from her beloved long-lost twin brother, life seems as constrained and slow as that of her beloved snails. But life always throws up surprises, and just as things have slowed to a crawl, extraordinary octogenarian Pinky (Jackie Weaver) enters, stage left. Memoir of a Snail tugs at the heartstrings with its great swell of devotion, craft and joy.
Memoir of a Snail MIFF@CinefestOZ | Fri 6 Sep, 12noon @ Inara Restaurant
Join the filmmaking team to hear more about the long journey and the intricacies of working with clay to make a feature film! Lunch at the new hotspot Inara, a warm and inviting atmosphere where coastal charm meets fine dining.
RUNT
In the dusty country town of Upson Downs, 11-year-old Annie Shearer and her best mongrel friend Runt are inseparable. Runt can perform the most astonishing tricks, yet this is something that only Annie knows since Runt tends to get a little shy around other humans. Meanwhile, it hasn’t rained for some time and mean Earl Robert-Barren threatens Annie’s family’s farm by selfishly controlling the town’s water supply. An unlikely opportunity, at the Krumpets Dog Show in London, may be the answer to Annie’s family’s prayers. Director John Sheedy (CinefestOZ 2019 Film Prize Winner H is for Happiness) and writer Craig Silvey are back with another delicious slice of bright Australiana.
Runt | Sat 7 Sep, 10:15AM @ Hilton Garden Inn
Join filmmakers and the attending cast of Runt for a contemporary brunch at the new Hilton Garden Inn Busselton restaurant, Together & Co.
THE MOOGAI
Hot-shot lawyer Sarah (Sharri Sebbens) seems to have it all: a job at which she is successful, a great husband (Meyne Wyatt), and a growing family. But as Sarah’s due-date approaches things seem out of kilter. Immersed in mainstream, white corporate culture, Sarah’s Indigenous birthmother Ruth (Tessa Rose) relationship is fractured, yet Ruth has important messages about the past. Adapting his own outstanding short film, multi-award-winning screen writer-director Jon Bell brings this compelling and utterly unique film to Australian screens. The Moogai has a clear-sighted view of how the trauma of the Stolen Generations blends with motherhood-anxiety.
The Moogai InConversation | Sat 7 Sep, 1pm @ Clairault Streicker Winery
Be front and centre to hear from the filmmakers and the attending cast, while you enjoy a three-course lunch with complimentary glass of wine overlooking the vines and native bushland of the stunning Clairault Streicker Winery.