Friday is sure to be another jam-packed day for CinefestOZ 2019, with several exciting industry events, IndigifestOZ Day kicking off, and half a dozen exciting Premiere events, all spread out across four beautiful locations in WA’s South West region.

At 8:30am at the Festival Hub in Busselton, the day kicks off with a Breakfast Briefing with CinefestOZ keynote speaker Glenn Gainor, run by Screen Producers Australia. The discussion is sure to be an exciting and engaging event, with a wide range of topics being covered, including the importance of sustainable storytelling, and exploring what it takes to make a Hollywood studio movie compared to local market films. Tickets can be purchased here.

At the Eight Willows Retreat at noon, CinefestOZ is hosting a Directors’ Lunch. At this premium event, film VIPs and festival guests can share stories, local cuisine, fine wines, and great times.

The WA Screen Academy Short Films Showcase is being held at the Weld Theatre today in Busselton, at 1:30pm. Established in 2005 and located on the ECU Mount Lawley campus, the WA Screen Academy has cemented its reputation as one of Australia’s most innovative and outstanding advanced-level training programs in screen production. As such, the six short films they produce each year- starring the graduating actors of WAAPA- never fail to be highly entertaining and engaging, and this year the latest of these films will be screened. Additionally, WASA and WAAPA students will be in attendance to answer questions about their creative process and the course itself. Tickets and further information can be found here.

At the Busselton Festival Hub, at 4:00pm, there are VIP Sundowner Drinks taking place, at an event available exclusively to Industry Cinepass holders only. This event is sure to be a great way to meet friends and network with others over a glass or two of wine, before heading to one of the many evening screenings taking place tonight. Information on purchasing an Industry Cinepass to gain access to this event and other can be found here.

Also notable is the launch of IndigifestOZ Day, starting at 9:00am in Busselton, which sees Indigenous stalls and films taking over the Festival Hub. Festivalgoers can enjoy innovative film formats and interactive experiences at this great community event. There will also be opportunities to see Aboriginal short films and meet with their creators. This is a free event, and further information can be found by visiting this link.

One exciting part of IndigifestOZ Day is the IndigifestOZ Retrospective, held from 9:30am at the Festival Hub in Busselton. This event celebrates and honours the work of Aaron McGrath, a regular on Australian screens both small and large, with roles in numerous films and TV shows including Jasper Jones and Around the Block. During this time, festivalgoers can hear from Aaron during his Retrospective Q&A about his journey in the Australian film industry as an actor, shortly followed by a free screening of the 2017 film Jasper Jones. This is a free event, and further information can be found here.

IndigifestOZ Day continues into the evening with the Indigenous Showcase at Caves House at 6:00pm, a set of short films with a Q&A from the filmmakers. This set of films will showcase the unique stories told by Indigenous filmmakers, with a wide coverage of genres from drama to the supernatural. There will be food and drinks available for purchase from the venue, with doors opening at 6:00pm. Information and tickets can be found by following this link.

Finally, there are another six exciting films premiering throughout the day, with filmmakers and cast members in attendance at all, highlighted below:

Sanctuary is premiering in Busselton at noon, with a filmmaker introduction before the screening. Sanctuary tells the story of Khaled, an Iraqi born interpreter who deals with violence and bigotry on his decades long journey across multiple continents in search of safety and sanctuary. Tickets and further information can be found here.

She Who Must Be Loved, a documentary that tells the epic life story of Alfreda Glynn, premieres at Orana Cinemas Busselton at 12:00pm. Glynn, an Aboriginal woman, stills photographer, and co-founder of the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association, has lived a long and fascinating life, with her story told in this captivating documentary from director Erica Glynn, who will host a Q&A session after the film’s screening. More information and tickets can be found here.

MIFF@CinefestOZ Measure for Measure premieres in Busselton at 5:30pm this evening. Starring Hugo Weaving, Measure for Measure is an ensemble romantic drama set within Melbourne’s commission flats, and a contemporary take on Shakespeare’s play of the same name. As one of the finalists in this year’s CinefestOZ Film Prize, it is sure to prove an exciting, unmissable film. There will be filmmakers and talent in attendance and an after party, with tickets and more information available here.

The Naked Wanderer is having its world premiere in Bunbury at 6:30pm tonight, at a star-studded, red carpet event, providing festivalgoers an opportunity to be among the first to see this heartwarming, feel-good film, shot predominantly in the southwest. It tells the story of Jake, a broken-hearted man who treks along the WA coastline (mostly) naked for charity in a bid to win back his ex-girlfriend. The evening will begin at the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre with live music, drinks and canapés, with a view of all the red carpet action and interviews. An introduction from the filmmakers will take place before the screening. More information and access to ticket purchases can be found here.

Dark Whispers Vol 1 is also getting its world premiere at CinefestOZ tonight, at Orana Cinemas Busselton at 8:00pm. An anthology series from eleven Australian female directors, these short films cover multiple types of horror, from grief to existential dread to right-swiping vampires! A filmmaker Q&A will follow the screening, with tickets and additional information available here.

Finally, at 8:15pm at Orana Cinemas Busselton, Judy & Punch is premiering with a red carpet walk from the filmmakers and attending cast. It is your last chance to attend a Film Prize finalist screening, and will be followed by an after-party at The Hub, with live music, canapé options, plus wine by Forester Estate and beers by Eagle Bay Brewing Co. Judy & Punch follows two puppeteers ambitiously trying to resurrect their marionette show, and has been described by director Mirrah Foulkes as a ‘dark, absurd fable treading a line between fairy-tale, fantasy, and gritty realism.’ Further information and a link to purchase tickets can be found here.