Monday, August 8, 2022

CinefestOZ: 15 things to love about Australia’s best film festival

This year is a huge milestone for megawatt event, CinefestOZ, with Australia’s premier destination film festival notching up its 15th anniversary. Movie buffs, we’re happy to report that the wait is over with the full program now released, and tickets available for the 23 – 28 August celebration.

In honour of the anniversary, we’re looking at 15 fascinating facts about the iconic festival and what we’re looking forward to this year.

This is not your stock standard ticket to the cinema. There’s the opportunity to attend world-first premieres, enjoy exclusive wining and dining experiences, attend once-in-a-lifetime Q&As with directors and actors, and see movie stars in the flesh on Gala Night.

There’s a mindboggling variety of things to see and do. The 2022 program includes an incredible 270 film screenings and events across 35 locations in the South West.

It features the biggest film prize in the nation, with shortlisted features vying for a $100,000 award.

The festival was established in 2008 by David Barton and Helen Shervington as a cultural celebration of the French bicentenary of exploration of the region.

IndigifestOZ attracts First Nations filmmakers from across the country to present their feature films, documentaries, and short films.

CinefestOZ’s very first opening night film was the critically-acclaimed, award-winning The Black Balloon starring Toni Collette.

Stars presented with the ‘Screen Legend’ award include Isla Fisher, Jack Thompson, Bryan Brown, Hugo Weaving, and Jacqueline McKenzie.

The 2022 Jury Chair will be esteemed actor/writer/producer/director Richard Roxburgh. His credits include Rake, Romulus My Father, The Crown, and Moulin Rouge, just to name a few.

Savour the experience with a highlight event such as the special ‘In Conversation Jury Lunch’, with members of the Film Prize Jury at Aravina Estate on Saturday 27 August.

Nab tickets to a long lunch chatting over the new release, Seriously Red, at Rustico@Hay Shed Hill. This is the fictional story of a Dolly Parton impersonator, starring Krew Boylan, Rose Byrne and Bobby Cannavale.

Catch the premiere of We Are Still Here, an Indigenous film that tells eight interweaving tales of hope and survival from Australia, NZ, and the Pacific over a millennia.

Join the body positivity movement with creator Taryn Brumfitt, and take in the documentary Embrace Kids starring Taryn, Celeste Barber, and The Good Place star Jameela Jamil.

Fancy a Sam Worthington-led crime drama? Get to the world premiere of Transfusion, or opt to combine this screening with a brekky at Shelter Brewing Co.

Horror and thriller fans won’t miss out. Check out You Won’t Be Alone about a 200-year-old witch, and a story rich in Macedonian folklore.

Lap it up in luxury while you’re here. Stay with us! We have more than 100 homes throughout the region.

Release your inner film critic and have a high brow weekend down south at CinefestOZ 2022. Browse our portfolio of luxury holiday homes today.

You can also win a luxury package to stay in one of our holiday homes, attend Film Prize finalist screenings and red carpet events. Follow this link to go in the draw to the CinefestOZ experience!