CINEFEST OZ OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE.

21st August 2013 CinèfestOZ Opening Night Kick-Off!!

CinèfestOZ, the rapidly expanding Busselton-based Film Festival will present its strongest line-up of Australian film over five days, beginning today with the acclaimed Opening Night Australian film The Rocket.

The film is one of 12 premiere screenings at the festival, created to showcase the best of new Australian and French film against the stunning backdrop of the South West. Walking the red carpet this year at Opening Night is Australian acting Screen Legend Jack Thompson and director and writer of Western Australian Premiere The Rocket, Kim Mordaunt, in Busselton to showcase his film, fresh from winning the audience award at the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Kim Mordaunt will join a large group of Australian filmmaking luminaries and stars tonight to walk the red carpet from a glittering gala function in the CinèfestOZ festival marquee to watch and celebrate The Rocket at Orana Cinemas tonight.

With a number of festival events selling out early (Directors Lunch at Aravina, World Premiere of Rachel Ward’s An Accidental Soldier, and the In Conversation lunch with David Wenham and Rachel Ward), movie goers are being encouraged to secure tickets as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. In 2013, the festival will present 81 film and festival events combined and is expected to smash previous attendance rates of 12,000.

Also attending Opening Night:

Other talented directors showing their films during the week include WA stand-out filmmaker Zak Hilditch, who will be presenting his film These Final Hours, a WA Premiere of MIFF@CinefestOZ Film, shot in Perth. This film recently won the Age Critics Prize at the Melbourne International Film Festival against worthy competition.

“Young indigenous star of Satellite Boy Joseph Pedley will also be walking the red carpet along with his mother at this exciting event.

“Dean Daley-Jones (The Turning, Mad Bastards) will also be at the opening night of the Festival after taking part in student film workshops as part of the Festival, over 2500 students are taking part in the Cine-Snaps schools program across the region from Bunbury to Augusta.

“Other guests for tonight’s evening include French Australian filmmaker Jule Japhet Chiari who will who will be showing her film Australian Premiere Partisane Arise as part of as part of a Charity Event.

“ Writer and director Greg Sneddon will be here to present Australian Premiere, Arrows of the Thunder Dragon, and Antony I Ginnane the producer of Patrick will also be attending this Festival and to present his film WA Premiere MIFF@CinefestOZ Patrick on the Friday night.

“Opening night is always an exciting start to the Festival - it will set the stage for 5 fantastic days of celebration of film.”

MORE ABOUT CINÉFESTOZ CinéfestOZ showcases extraordinary Australian and French films over five days (21 -25 August).

Through feature film premieres and a highly anticipated film selection, the Film Festival draws a diverse audience and attracts filmmakers and actors from throughout Australia.

CinéfestOZ is a nod to the south-west’s early French exploration but also that country’s strong film making culture. Against this cultural backdrop Busselton comes alive for a celebration of engaging film, filmmaker forums, premiere and gala events.

Headquartered in Busselton, CinéfestOZ extends to Margaret River and Bunbury for extension premieres, additional screenings and a unique Schools Program.

The best way to experience CinéfestOZ is through Festival Gold Passes and Weekend Gold passes available via the CinéfestOZ website. Subscribe to the CinefestOZ newsletter to learn more http://www.cinefestoz.com.

MORE ABOUT CINÉFESTOZ CinéfestOZ showcases extraordinary Australian and French films over five days (21 -25 August).

Through feature film premieres and a highly anticipated film selection, the Film Festival draws a diverse audience and attracts filmmakers and actors from throughout Australia.

CinéfestOZ is a nod to the south-west’s early French exploration but also that country’s strong film making culture. Against this cultural backdrop Busselton comes alive for a celebration of engaging film, filmmaker forums, premiere and gala events.

Headquartered in Busselton, CinéfestOZ extends to Margaret River and Bunbury for extension premieres, additional screenings and a unique Schools Program.

CINEFEST OZ OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE.