SHORT FILM PROGRAM SHINES AT CINEFESTOZ
Finalists in the 2024 CinefestOZ Short Film Competition were announced today ahead of the SHORT FILM AWARDS, which will be held Thursday 5 September in Margaret River as part of Australia’s largest destination film festival (31 August to 8 September).
Recognising exceptional storytelling and talent in the short filmmaking sector of the Australian film industry – more than 150 entries were received from filmmakers across Australia – with 28 finalists in the running for awards in six categories, as selected by an independent jury of industry professionals.
CinefestOZ CEO Cassandra Jordan said she was blown away by the calibre of this year’s short film entries, which in turn made the selection process both extremely enjoyable and also extremely difficult.
“I love the Short Film Program because there are so many wonderfully different stories for festival goers to experience as part of each of the five dedicated Short Film Sets at CinefestOZ 2024.
Many of our short filmmakers are travelling to CinefestOZ to see their films on the big screen, with some participating in Q&As at the end of each Short Film Set, so we are expecting lots of interaction and conversation at these events.
The Short Film Awards also give CinefestOZ the opportunity to acknowledge the many exceptional films we have the privilege to screen each year, and to support filmmakers to continue to bring new stories to life on screen.”
Cash prizes are up for grabs in three of the six categories including Best Short Film ($5000), Best Indigenous Short Film ($2500) and the Cinewest Best WA Short Film ($2500).
The five Nominees for Best Short Film at the CinefestOZ 2024 Short Film Awards are:
- Farm Block A67 (WA) – Ari, a proud Aboriginal woman races against time with a broken car and a sacred vow, to save her family farm from a looming threat. Starring Iya Ware, Maitland Schnaars, Rayma Morrison; Director, Jason Haji-Ali.
- Dusty (NSW) – After the death of his best friend we follow Dustin, AKA Dusty, as he goes to great, messed-up lengths to keep her memory alive. Starring Travis Jeffrey, Susie Porter, Shannon Ryan; Director Jeremy Lindsay Taylor
- Withered Blossoms (NSW) – After concealing her separation from a long-term partner for two weeks, a young woman finally visits her Grandma who is grappling with age. Starring Rachel Young, Stella Ye; Director Lionel Seah
- Good Neighbour (VIC) – Phil is in hospital with kidney failure when Jeff, his neighbour, emerges as a potential donor. However, his unexpected demand sparks a moral dilemma. Cast Alex Gibson-Georgio, Daniel Fischer, David John-Watton, Hannah Camilleri; Director Julian Lucas.
- Unspoken (VIC) – 1979. As protests for Croatian-independence erupt across Sydney, Croatian born Marina is trapped as escalating political unrest spills into her childhood home with devastating consequences. Cast Goran Grgić, Kat Dominis, Mariana Rudan, Tom Wilson; Director Damian Walshe-Howling.
The Nominees for the five remaining categories are:
- Indigenous Best Short Film: Tambo (SA); Farm Block A67 (WA); Dandjoo: Be a Voice for Generations (WA); Mama’s on a Mission (WA)
- CineWest Best WA Short Film: The Last Trip (WA); The Roadhouse Blues (WA); Sundowners (WA); Farm Block A67 (WA)
- Best Director: Drew Kendell, The Hug (WA); Lionel Seah, Withered Blossoms (NSW); Jeremy Lindsay Taylor, Dusty (NSW); Jack Shepherd, Yakka (NSW); Luke Bouchier, The Execution (NSW)
- Best Lead Actor Nominees: Travis Jeffery (Dusty, NSW); Kartanya Maynard (Lean In, VIC); Melissa Kahraman (You Are My Tomorrow, VIC); Sam Tait (Unstoppable, VIC); Iya Ware (Farm Block A67, WA)
- Best Screenplay: You Are My Tomorrow (VIC); Bird Drone (WA); The Roadhouse Blues (WA); Good Neighbour (NSW); Unspoken (VIC)
The SHORT FILM AWARDS event includes a showcase of homegrown West Australian short films ahead of the Awards ceremony on Thursday 5 September at 6pm at Margaret River HEART – Nala Bardip Mia (Our Story House). After the awards celebrate with drinks, canapes and DJ entertainment. Tickets can be purchased HERE
SHORT FILM SETS
This year’s CinefestOZ Short Film Program is being delivered in five unique sets, each with a different theme and including a complimentary drink on arrival and post-show filmmaker Q&A. The film sets include:
- DEADLY SHORTS: The very best of Indigenous Australian short filmmaking. “Nothing about us, without us.”
- LOST IN TRANSLATION: Feeling love, feeling lost, and everything else in between.
- DUCK SOUP: Belly laughs, chuckles, wry smiles and groans.
- THE MEANING OF LIFE: ‘Us’. Whomever we are in this extraordinary country; under the microscope.
- THE TWILIGHT ZONE: Action, adventure and a little dystopia. All Australian specialties.