-OFFICIAL CINEFESTOZ MEDIA RELEASE-

Stars line up for CinèfestOZ this week

Some of Australia’s greatest actors and filmmakers will be heading to Busselton in the South West Region of Western Australia this week for CinèfestOZ Film Festival 2013.

David Wenham returns to CinèfestOZ 2013 as Festival Patron along with other international film stars including CinéfestOZ Screen Legend Jack Thompson, Myles Pollard (The Turning, Drift, Wolverine X Men, MacLeods Daughters) and Director Rachel Ward (An Accidental Soldier, Beautiful Kate).

They will join Dean Daley-Jones (The Turning, Mad Bastards), Roy Billing (Mystery Rd, Underbelly, Aquamarine) and David Field (Mystery Rd, Chopper, 2 Hands City Homicide) as part of the acting talent at this year’s festival.

There will be further announcements regarding the young stars in this year’s line-up.

These stars will join over 40 Actors, Directors and Producers attending this Festival will be immersed in the Festival program which not only includes Gala Events and a Directors Lunch, but also a Cine-Snaps Schools Program, Script Workshops, Side Bar Screenings (short film sessions) and Filmmaker Q and A sessions.

“Given our location, south of one of the most isolated cities in the world, it is fantastic to have so many stars and filmmakers break from their busy schedules to travel to this event,” said Festival Chair David Barton.

“Festival Patron David Wenham is one of Australia’s most accomplished actors. He has starred in 37 films and 12 television series and over 20 theatre productions,” said Festival Chair David Barton.

“David’s acting credits include major roles in international film hits Lord of the Rings, Cosi, Moulin Rouge Van Helsing and Public Enemies.

It is fantastic having David back at this event, he is a great supporter of this Festival.

“Jack Thompson (Breaker Morant, The Great Gatsby) will be attending amongst many of the cast members of this WA Premiere, Mystery Road, which will be launched in Bunbury. Producer David Jowsey will also be at the Festival to introduce the film and conduct a Q and A.

“Jack Thompson is one of the great figures in Australian Film. To have Jack here to attend CinèfestOZ presenting his film and to receive our Screen Legend Award at this event is a special honour for our festival and a tribute to its growth”.

“Jack Thompson will join Australian Director and actress Rachel Ward (Beautiful Kate) who will present her World Premiere telemovie for ABC TV, An Accidental Soldier at the Margaret River Premiere event on Friday.

Rachel’s career has as actress saw her become the recipient of several International drama awards and nominations, which includes two Golden Globe nods.

“In recent years Rachel has turned her focus to directing, including her 2009 feature Beautiful Kate, which was nominated for 10 AFI Awards and was invited to screen at both the Sydney and Toronto Film Festivals,’ said David.

“West Australian actor Myles Pollard has a successful career taking up roles in major international feature films. He was first introduced to audiences as a star in the popular television drama MacLeod’s Daughters and then forged a career as a feature film star of Wolverine, Drift, and most recently The Turning. Myles will be attending our Festival in support of the MIFF@CinefestOZ film Abbreviation:WA Chapters of the Turning as well as the Cine-Snaps Schools Program.

ScreenWest will be hosting several special industry events in conjunction with CinéfestOZ, which involve film industry heavyweights including Hollywood Director Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career, Oscar and Lucinda) and Nadia Tass (The Big Steal, Amy, Matching Jack). As well as Joel Pearlman and Seth McKenna from Roadshow, Nick Batzias from Madman and Rachel Okine from Hopscotch.

“As a destination film festival there is a unique and special buzz associated with having all of these visitors come together in one beautiful destination for the love and support of the film industry.

“In addition to this we have the community behind us with over 160 volunteers on board as part of our valuable movie crew - and tickets are selling fast.

“Opening night is almost sold out as is the Margaret River Premiere and the Directors Lunch sold out in a flash. It is certainly set to be an exciting week.”

-OFFICIAL CINEFESTOZ MEDIA RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon