CinefestOZ Albany returns next month with four-day festival celebrating local and international films

The third annual CinefestOZ Albany film festival hits town next month with a big program of movies and events, and two familiar faces will serve as the festival’s ambassadors.

The four-day festival, running from April 27-30 will include the screenings of 15 feature films and 12 short films, as well as events where filmmakers will present on their work, workshops and a community day.

It will start at the gala opening night on April 27 at Orana Cinemas, with the screening of Port Hedland-set coming-of-age film Sweet As.

Then movie buffs will have the chance to go behind the scenes of the film at the In-Conversation Breakfast on April 28 at the Hilton Garden Inn, where the filmmakers behind Sweet As will share their inspirations.

Other movies screening throughout the festival include Bremer Bay-shot film Blueback, Emily Bronte-focused film Emily, the heartwarming Everybody’s Oma, and documentaries The Last Daughter, You Can Go Now and Shackleton: The Greatest Story of Survival.

The line-up will also feature three French films; Tenor, The Tasting and Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia.

Other events during the festival will include the Kinjarling Koort family community event at the Museum of the Great Southern, with filmmaking activities, and an In-Conversation lunch at Garrison on April 29.

The festival’s ambassadors this year are Gnowangerup-born actor and filmmaker Karla Hart and Albany-raised actor Joel Jackson, who will be attending events during the festival.

CinesfestOZ chief executive Malinda Nixon said she was delighted for the festival to return to Albany next month.

“CinefestOZ Albany is a wonderful regional event that attracts national filmmakers and their films, while also showcasing the beautiful Great Southern and the region’s creative talent,” Ms Nixon said.

Tickets for all events are available at https://tix.cinefestoz.com/Events