CinefestOZ Albany has revealed its first ever program, with an offering of live screenings and special events, curated for the brand new festival, which takes place in the Great Southern region next month.
CinefestOZ Albany will take place from 29 April to 1 May, allowing a new audience of film lovers to experience a taste of what those in the South West have been enjoying for the past 13 years.
Just like CinefestOZ, the Albany edition will continue to champion Australian stories and film through a packed festival program which includes seven features and 12 short films, the Cinesnaps schools program and an Industry Program session.
CinefestOZ CEO Malinda Nixon said bringing a film festival to the Great Southern was long overdue. “It is so wonderful to finally realise our dream of bringing CinefestOZ to Albany,” Nixon said. “There is a huge appetite for Australian film in the Great Southern and we are very much looking forward to welcoming a new audience to this brand-new festival.”
CinefestOZ Albany kicks off formally on 29 April with an Opening Night screening of the highly anticipated June Again at Orana Cinemas, Albany. Directed by JJ Winlove and starring Noni Hazlehurst, Claudia Karvan and Stephen Curry, June Againis a heart-felt comedy about June (Hazlehurst) who, after a medical miracle, has just a few days to bring together her estranged children, save the family business and rekindle an old flame.
Screenwest CEO Willie Rowe said it’s fantastic to see the growth of CinefestOZ with this new expansion to Albany. “The Great Southern has seen a flurry of projects being shot throughout the region over the past serval years including H is for Happiness and Rams with Blueba
The Albany opening will include an introduction from the film’s producer Jamie Hilton, who will share some behind-the-scenes moments with the audience.
Between Opening and Closing nights, audiences will have the chance to watch a host of other feature films, including the World Premiere of Homespun with Bec Bignell, regionally based WA filmmaker, (series, showcased as a feature film for CinefestOZ) Firestarter: The Legend of Bangarra, French Exit (American/French Co-production), The Greenhouse, Jaimen Hudson: From Sky to Sea, Valerie Taylor: Playing with Sharksand Phil Liggett: The Voice of Cycling.
The CinefestOZ Albany program will also feature:
- Community Screenings – offering the opportunity to enjoy some great Australian films for free at Albany’s historic Town Hall, right in the heart of the city.
- Deadly Indigenous Shorts – a showcase of short films by Indigenous filmmakers, infusing darkness, beauty and strength with post-screening filmmaker Q&A.
- Special Closing Night Presentation and celebrations- boasting six films including Carmentis,winner of the inaugural CinefestOZ Short Film Prize in 2020
Film lovers are invitedto hop on board the Busy Blue Bus Tours for the H is for Happiness Film Location Tour, which will explore some of the stunning locations around Albany that featured in the 2019 CinefestOZ $100,000 Film Prize winner H is for Happiness. Hear inside stories and anecdotes of the making of the film by producer Tenille Kennedy.
Monty’s Leap Winery, a brand-new cellar door and restaurant high on a hill overlooking the powerful Southern Ocean, will play host to the inaugural CinefestOZ In Conversation Lunch with a special film guest to be announced.
Award-winning landscape and unit stills photographer and film tourism expert Ian Brodie will be a special guest at the Industry Spotlight: Role of Film in Tourism event. Brodie has been integral in working with the screen industry to put together a resources and locations guide for H is for Happiness.
Come dressed for the occasion as Albany rolls out the red carpet for Special Closing Night Presentation and celebrations. Enjoy a diverse set of quality Australian short films including showcasing a premiere and introduction by a WA filmmaker. After, join the party and take in the entertainment and generous canapes at the premier venue the Albany Entertainment Centre.
CinefestOZ Albany will take place in the region’s cinemas and picturesque venues, where audiences will have the chance to rub shoulders with filmmakers and special guests.
The City’s recently refurbished Town Hall will serve as the Festival Hub, while CinefestOZ’s strong partnership with Orana Cinemas will continue through to CinefestOZ Albany.
CinefestOZ Albany thanks Major Partner City of Albany, Partners Screenwest, Lotterywest and Rio Tinto.
For more information and tickets head to the cinefestoz website!
