CinefestOZ Broome celebrating First Nations stories and talent this weekend
Running from 3-6 November in WA's incredible Kimberley region, Screenwest-supported projects Sweet As and Our Law head up an exciting First Nations festival program.
CinefestOZ Broome kicked off last night, with the inaugural festival set to deliver a dynamic celebration of First Nations stories and talent.
Running until Sunday 6 November, the festival is presented by Broome-based media organisation Goolarri Media. With special guests in attendance including Kimberley-based writer/director Jub Clerc and CinefestOZ Broome Ambassador Mark Coles Smith, the festival lineup includes feature films and short films, as well as community and industry events.
“The Festival will help to raise the local, national and international profile of Indigenous creatives and stories, as well as Broome’s filmmaking landscape. Festival goers will be able to enjoy new First Nations films that are yet to be released theatrically under the stars at Sun Pictures, meet and talk with filmmakers and talent – while enjoying local Broome produce and hospitality.” said Jodie Bell, Goolarri Media CEO and Indigenous film producer.
Highlighting First Nations filmmaking from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, CinefestOZ Broome is showcasing new releases including the opening night film, Ivan Sen’s Loveland, and tonight’s anthology feature We Are Still Here, with director Danielle MacLean in attendance as a special guest.
Pilbara-filmed feature Sweet As serves as the Gala Night film on Saturday, 5 November. Fresh from winning the 2022 NETPAC Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film’s Nyul Nyul Yawuru writer/director Jub Clerc is set to introduce the screening and join an In Conversation Brunch the following afternoon.
The film program wraps up on Sunday, 6 November with a free Community screening of upcoming NITV series Our Law. Short form content is also set to be a hit with audiences; screening tonight and Sunday are the Did’jun First Nation Shorts, featuring Screenwest-supported short dramas Wirnitj and The Lost Crystals of Jessica’s Room.
CinefestOZ Broome will also feature inspiring talks, Q&A sessions and networking opportunities with local and visiting filmmakers to the region. WA First Nations filmmakers including Karla Hart and Taryne Laffar will be on hand to discuss best practise techniques when filming in regional and remote Aboriginal Communities, and key NITV staff will be in attendance to share how filmmakers can engage with the broadcaster.
The festival has also named Kimberley-raised Nyikina actor Mark Coles Smith as the CinefestOZ Broome Ambassador. Fresh from starring roles in two ABC drama series, Mystery Road: Origin – filmed in WA’s Goldfields region – and Savage River, Mark features in Gala Night film Sweet As alongside star Shantae Barnes-Cowan and WA’s Tasma Walton.
“It’s a real joy to be able to support a festival in my hometown that celebrates First Nations filmmaking. My earliest memories of cinema were of going to Sun Pictures and sitting under the stars with my choc bomb, but this time around I’m excited we’ll get to hear from the incredible creatives and filmmakers who’ve brought the films we’ll see at the festival to life.” said Mark Coles Smith, CinefestOZ Broome Ambassador.
CinefestOZ Broome is supported by Screenwest and Lotterywest through the Audience and Community Engagement Fund.
Further information and tickets are available at cinefestoz.com.
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