CinéfestOZ 2015 marked the first year for a new addition to the program known as "Indigi-fest-OZ". With a focus on indigenous film and arts, this section of the festival celebrates the richness and vitality of Australian aboriginal culture.

Events included:

-Smoking Ceremony & Sweeping Dance.

-Rio Tinto Colours: From Country to Coast exhibition with Pilbara artists.

-Interactive Indigenous activities, including: traditional dance, ochre body & face painting, soap rock carving, didgeridoo playing, rock painting, canvas painting, artefacts display.

-Market stalls, including local Indigenous arts, crafts and delicious bush tucker.

-Introduction by Dr Isaacs, 2015 Western Australian of the Year.

-Indigenous Community Stories (ICS) Workshop Included screening of ICS films

-Screenings of short film documentaries, with special guests: Angela’s Rules with Angela Rule (performer) Fighter with Perun Bonser (director/writer). ‘Question & Answer’ session with Angela and Perun

-Live music with Angela Rule

-Kelton Pell Retrospective Includes introduction and screening of The Gods of Wheat Street, followed by a Q&A session with Kelton.

FREE COMMUNITY SCREENING INDIGENOUS FILMS INCLUDED:

-The Darkside (director: Warwick Thornton)

-Light Films Invisible Light (director Perun Bonser)

-Min Min Light (director Jub Clerc)

-Revealing the Hidden World (director Ashley Spratt)

-Bran Nue Dae (director Rachel Perkins)

An incredible evening of Indigenous short films, covering a variety of genres from comedy, drama and supernatural thrillers. Meet special guest filmmakers as they attend their WA premiere films; Jodie Bell – Producer Maap Mordak and Naji Cheyanne Carter – Lead Actress, Maap Mordak and Lynette Narkle – Support Actress, Maap Mordak and Ace of Spades.

-Summer Blues (director Lily Radloff)

-Shadows of Displacement (director Perun Bronser)

-Maap Mordak (director Dot West)

-Dark Whispers (director Ngaire Pigram)

-High Tide (director Kimberley West)

-Karroyul (director Kelrick Martin)

-Naji (director Kimberley West)

-Ace of Spades (director Dennis Simmons)

-Auntie Maggie and the Womba Wakgun (director Leah Purcell)

A screening of Whadjuk to Wadjemup, directed by Dennis Simmons, is the focus of this very special Side Bar with Q&A at the Weld Theatre. Meet film guest Dennis Simmons (Writer, Director and Talent ) with MC Jub Clerc (CinfestOz Indigenous Film Officer and Indigenous Filmmaker).

-Another Country Starring David Gulpilil, the Yolngu of Ramingining -Prison Songs Director – Kelrick Martin

INDIGIFESTOZ IS PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY: RIO TINTO. AND A GENEROUS PHILANTHROPIC DONATION FROM KYLIE AND ALAN BRIERTY

For More Info visit: http://www.cinefestoz.com

CinéfestOZ proudly presented by Geographe French Australian Festivals Inc

Edited by Vanessa McMahon