CinefestOZ acknowledges the Wardandi, Piblemen, Menang and Yawuru people, the spiritual and cultural custodians of this land on which we live and work. We honour and respect the significant role First Nations people play in our community and in guiding us and allowing our festival to flourish.
The Festival
We would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land we live and work on and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and future.
Set in the seaside centres of Busselton and the Margaret River wine region, CinefestOZ premieres feature films and events in the region’s cinemas and picturesque venues, making it a feast for the senses and an unforgettable six-day getaway.
CinefestOZ has consolidated its position as the premiere destination film festival in Australia with record numbers of high calibre film guests, a sensational line-up of new Australian films.
In 2022, Australia’s premium film festival returns with an incredible first look reveal of its 2022 program and Film Prize finalists.
Now competing for $100,000- the largest film prize dedicated to Australian feature films, the annual 2022 Film Prize Finalists are: Seriously Red, Transfusion and [email protected] films Sweet As and Of An Age.
Seriously Red
A vivacious redhead switches her 9-5 job to become a Dolly Parton impersonator in this Aussie comedy by Director Gracie Otto. Writer, Krew Boylan stars alongside Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Daniel Webber, Celeste Barber and Thomas Campbell.
Transfusion
This Film Prize Finalist follows a former soldier who, after the loss of his wife is thrust into the criminal underworld to prevent his son from being taken from him. Writer and Director Matt Nable also takes a role on screen, along with stars Sam Worthington and Phoebe Tonkin.
Of An Age [email protected]
Of An Age unfolds over the Summer of 1999, where an unexpected romance flourishes between a seventeen year old Serbian ballroom dancer and his best friend’s older brother. Fast forward to a decade later where the duo meet for a bittersweet reunion. Written and directed by Goran Stolevski, the cast is made up of Elias Anton, Thom Green and Hattie Hook.
Sweet As [email protected]
This heartwarming film follows 16 year old Murra who is on the verge of breaking down. However, a transformative bus trip through the Pilbara leads the formation of teen friendships, first crushes and self exploration. WA Indigenous Writer and Director Jub Clerc brings this story to life with cast members Shantae Barnes-Cowan, Tasma Walton, Mark Coles-Smith and Ngaire Pigram.
Awarded by a high profile Jury of Industry experts, the prestigious Film Prize acknowledges excellence in the art of filmmaking from an Australian feature film.
Now in its 15th year, the festival will once again captivate the South West with an exciting line-up of World and WA premieres, In Conversation events and Short Film Sets.
CinefestOZ has released Early Bird Tix and is excited to announce the full program on the 22nd of July!
CinefestOZ thanks Presenting Partner Tourism WA, Premium Partners Rio Tinto, Screenwest and Lotterywest and the City of Busselton. The festival acknowledges its strong support from Lotterywest and Screen Australia.
We welcome you to stay in touch by subscribing to our Festival Newsletter, where you can keep track of exciting announcements in the lead up to the Festival Week 23-28 August 2022.
As a production of Geographe French Australian Festivals Incorporated, the CinefestOZ film festival is a not for profit event, produced by its Board of Directors.
CinefestOZ, along with other not-for-profits, receives funding from government, corporate and philanthropic as well as in-kind and volunteer support.
Rio Tinto has supported CinefestOZ and its wider community program for more than a decade, driven by mutual shared values and a genuine desire to improve lives in regional WA.
CinefestOZ is working with Rio Tinto to help contribute to improved reconciliation and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.