CinefestOZ Broome kicks off this November in Western Australia. Get to know what’s playing and what it’s all about.
The first of its kind in Western Australia, CinefestOZ Broome is a First Nations Film Festival celebrating First Nations stories and talent from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. In partnership with Broome-based media organisation Goolarri Media, CinefestOZ will run from November 3 – 6 at Sun Pictures—the world’s oldest outdoor picture theatre.
The programme kicks off with opening night film Loveland, a cyberpunk romance from filmmaker Ivan Sen. We Are Still Here plays on the following night, an anthology drama featuring eight Indigenous heroes from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Sweet As, the final feature film screening, tells the story of an Indigenous teenager who discovers a passion for photography during a youth trip.
Along with the feature films, CinefestOZ Broome includes a short film program along with red carpet and In Conversation dining events as well as free industry, school and community workshops and screenings.
“The CinefestOZ team together with Goolarri Media, the local film industry and community have created a unique program that is dedicated to sharing and developing First Nations stories and talent,” said CinefestOZ Chair Margaret Buswell.
“We’re thrilled that Broome (Rubibi in the local Yawuru language)—in the stunning Kimberley region of Western Australia—is the hub for our First Nation’s Film Festival.
“The town is not only rich with Indigenous creative talent and cultural history—it also has a flourishing film scene that has produced screen successes such as Bran Nue Dae, Mad Bastards and Mystery Road 2.”
Goolarri Media CEO and Indigenous film producer Jodie Bell said that “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 such as Jub Clerc—writer and director of Sweet As—while enjoying local Broome produce and hospitality.
Tickets are available via www.cinefestoz.com. See below for the full program highlights:
Thursday 3 November
3:00pm—Welcome to Country: A special welcome by Yawuru Elders to the visiting First nations film-makers, festival guests, passholders and community.
6:30pm—Opening Night Feature Film Screening: Loveland
Friday 4 November
8:00am—Location Tour
9:00am—Free Community Day
11:00am—Industry Program Session
3:30pm—Did’jun First Nation Short film set
6:30pm—Feature Film Screening: We Are Still Here
8:30pm—Late Night Bar
Saturday 5 November
9:00am—Free Community Day
1:00pm—Filmmakers In Conversation Lunch
6:30pm—Party under the Stars Feature Film Screening: Sweet As
Sunday 6 November
9:30am—Free Community Screenings: Our Law
11:00am—Filmmakers In Conversation Lunch: Writer & Director Jub Clerc
1:30pm—Free Community Screenings: Did’jun First Nation Shorts retro
