CinefestOZ calls ‘action’ on festival

CinefestOZ has called action on this year’s festival, kicking off with a WA premiere screening of What if it Works? at Grand Cinemas last night as the first of 17 events to be held at nine Bunbury locations.

Over the five-day festival, filmmakers and film buffs will enjoy premiere screenings, cosy Side Bar events, In Conversation lunches, general screenings, family activities and free community events – with Bunbury gearing up to host a lavish red carpet event for the Australian premiere of John V. Soto’s The Gateway tomorrow night.

CinefestOZ Bunbury events officer Jo O’Dea encouraged residents to make the most of the spotlight shone on the city.

“Events like this happen because the locals support them and CinefestOZ puts a national focus on Bunbury,” she said.

“We have got film guests that are staying in Bunbury over the weekend from all over the country and it’s really important that we show them true Bunbury hospitality.”

Ms O’Dea said the diverse festival is set to finish with a “bang”.

“We have got a really diverse selection of both Australian and French Films right through until Sunday,” she said.

“We finish with a real bang on the Sunday with four significant events, including our IndigifestOZ eventwhich is the first time we have had it in Bunbury.

“On top of that we have got two of the short-listed films for the film prize, Australia Day and Three Summers.

“What is really exciting about that is that Bunbury potentially will have the winning film screening on the Sunday as one of the last screenings of CinefestOZ.”

Full program details, tickets and Cinepasses are available from CinefestOZ.com, the CinefestOZ iPhone app and visitor centres.