CinefestOZ Film Festival has named the four finalists in the running for the top prize in its inaugural Short Film Competition.
For the first time in the festival's 13-year history, CinefestOZ will champion the country's best short filmmakers by awarding cash prizes in six categories, including Best Short Film.
The finalists in the running for the $5,000 top prize are:
- Carmentis (WA) - Australian premiere
- Antony Webb (writer/director), Jaclyn Hewer (producer)
- I Want to Make a Film About Women (NSW) - WA premiere
- Karen Pearlman (writer/director/producer), Richard James Allen (producer)
- The Immortal (NSW) - World premiere
- Carl Firth (writer/director/producer), Guy Edmonds and Augusta Miller (producers)
- Carrie's Doing Great (SA) - World premiere
- Alex Salkicevic and Bryce Kraehenbuel (writer/director/producers), Morgan Wright (producer)
The CinefestOZ Short Film Competition, supported by both the Festival and Screenwest, was introduced in 2020 as a way of turning the spotlight on WA and Australian filmmakers.
The competition also includes prizes for CinefestOZ Indigenous Best Short Film; Cinewest Best West Australian Short Film; Best WA Female Short Filmmakers (supported by WIFTWA); Best Director (supported by the Australian Directors Guild); Best Lead Actor (supported by Annie MM Casting) and Audience Choice Award.
CinefestOZ chief executive Malinda Nixon said the addition of the Short Film Competition in the Festival gave an added boost to filmmakers in what has been a difficult year for the industry.
"This year has been challenging for the entire film industry and to be able to offer these prizes to upcoming filmmakers gives us enormous pleasure," she said.
"We've been delighted by the calibre of short films we've received this year and our festival audiences are in for a real treat."
Screenwest chief executive Willie Rowe said CinefestOZ has become a key player for the Australian screen industry.
"Their inclusion of a Short Film Prize this year was an incredible opportunity for short filmmakers, particularly given the challenges 2020 has presented," he said.
The CinefestOZ Short Film Showcase features sets which screen from August 25, 2020 and culminates in an awards celebration on August 29, 2020 at Margaret River HEART.
Four sets screening at The Esplanade, Busselton and Margaret River HEART will make up the program.
Audiences are encouraged to immerse themselves in the Short Film Showcase by purchasing a Short Film Cinepass, which gives access to more than 30 short films and the awards celebration.
The full program is now online at cinefestoz.com.
