Western Australia will be home to Australia’s richest film prize next year with CinefestOZ offering a new $100,000 prize for an Australian feature film as part of its 2014 program.
Tourism Minister Liza Harvey said CinefestOZ had grown rapidly over the past six years and the film prize would help the festival evolve into a world-class event.
“CinefestOZ started in 2008 to celebrate the South-West’s early exploration by the French and the strong film making cultures of both France and Australia,” Mrs Harvey said.
“Since then the event has grown from generating 1,900 ticket sales to more than 12,400 in 2013. In fact, independent economic impact research shows the 2012 festival added more than $1.7million directly to the local economy.
“The new $100,000 Australian film prize will help CinefestOZ attract more high profile film industry identities as well as extensive national and international media attention, which will further promote Western Australia and the South-West region.”
CinéfestOZ Chairman David Barton said the prize was secured after years of work by a volunteer Board and an excellent working relationship with Western Australian government sponsors who recognised the importance of culture and the arts and regional development through events.
“The prize is about recognizing great Australian film and people who work to bring these films to our screens. For the CinéfestOZ film festival, it is equally about continuing to build the integrity of the festival and being an internationally influential film festival,” Mr Barton said.
Shortlisted films vying for the “Oz” will premiere for the first time at the CinéfestOZ film festival, 20 – 24 August 2014.
A call for entries phase will open 28 February, when the Guidelines will be made available, and close on 30th June 2014. The Festival Program of films and events in Busselton, Bunbury, Margaret River and surrounding areas is released early August.
The State Government is proud to support the festival through Eventscorp's Regional Events Program, which is funded by Royalties for Regions.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the success and growth of CinefestOZ, which started in Busselton and spread to other locations across the region, was a great example of why the Regional Events Program was established.
“Festival goers can enjoy a great range of Australian and French films as well as film maker forums, movie premieres and gala events across the South-West region,” Mr Redman said.
“Regional events such as CinefestOZ are important because they increase visitation and attract media coverage which promotes regional areas.
“In addition, they help to add vibrancy and make regional towns exciting places to visit, as well as great places to live.”
Fact File
• CinefestOZ 2014 will run from August 20-24
• For more information visit http://cinefestoz.com/