Renowned Australian fine artist and director Del Kathryn Barton is set to visit Bunbury during our festival this year – 23 to 28 August – to celebrate the Western Australian premiere of her film Blaze

The film tells the story of Blaze, a young teenager, who is the sole witness to a shocking crime. Struggling to make sense of what she saw, she unleashes the wrath of her imaginary dragon. 

Director Del Kathryn Barton – who has twice won Australia’s coveted Archibald Prize – said the inestimable power of the imaginary life, both creative and destructive, was the inspiration behind Blaze.

Blaze has been conceived and written as a bold, psychological piece of symbolist filmmaking,” Ms Barton said.

Blaze is also a film about violence against women. A story that questions the complex ways a seemingly privileged first-world still fails to support and protect women of all ages.”

A unique hybrid of VFX, live action, puppetry and animation, Blaze is an ode to female courage and a celebration of the power of the imagination. 

“We had a great vision around Blaze being a genre defying immersive experience for audiences.” says Barton.

Festival goers will have the chance to meet Barton at the Western Australian Red Carpet Premiere of Blaze at Grand Cinemas Bunbury on Friday August 26, followed by the In Conversation Supper at Bunbury’s Market Eating House, where guests will enjoy a feed-me style sharing menu and an intimate Q&A with Barton and her fellow filmmakers. 

Del Kathryn Barton (Director, Writer) is widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading artists. She has won the prestigious Archibald Prize twice, and her work exists in the collections of every major art gallery in Australia and in private collections throughout the world. 

Her short animation OSCAR WILDE’S THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE had its international premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival and won the Erwin Rado Award for Best Australian Short Film. Her subsequent short RED starring Cate Blanchett recently launched at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

CinefestOZ thanks Presenting Partner Tourism WA, Premium Partners Screenwest and Lotterywest, City of Busselton and Community Partner Rio Tinto. The festival acknowledges its strong support from Screen Australia.

Red Carpet Premiere: Friday August 26: Grand Cinemas Bunbury.

In Conversation Supper: Friday August 26: Market Eating House.

More festival news:

Deadly Indigenous Shorts: Tuesday August 23: Esplanade Hotel Busselton, Tuesday August 23 7:00pm: Bunbury Regional and Entertainment Centre

Experience Deadly Indigenous storytelling at its finest in this showcase of short films by some of Australia’s Deadliest Filmmakers. The films reinforce the importance of storytelling through film and what we can learn from stories all cultures having a voice on screen. Enjoy the full film experience by enjoying a Q&A session with the filmmakers.

Free Community Days: Tuesday 23 August: Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre. Saturday 27 August: Origins Market, Busselton

CinefestOZ and community come together for these FREE events in 2022 to celebrate our local communities and filmmakers. Engage with important works created by Indigenous filmmakers and the wider community. Immerse yourself in culture and the creative world of film. Supported by Lotterywest.