Local talent, along with Western Australia's stunning natural beauty, will be in the spotlight when the red carpet rolls out this week for Australia's premier destination film festival, CinefestOZ
Highlights of the event - which last year attracted more than 28,000 attendances - will include the world premieres of a diverse range of films and documentaries that were filmed locally with support from the State Government through Screenwest.
These include The Naked Wanderer, which will make its big screen debut on Friday, August 30 in the place it was filmed - Bunbury.
The romantic comedy tells the story of a mostly naked man who treks the Western Australian coastline for charity, in a bid to win back his ex-girlfriend.
Filmed mostly across the South-West, Wheatbelt and Pilbara as well as London, The Naked Wanderer is directed, written and produced by Western Australian filmmaking talent. It also stars Western Australian actors and extras.
Western Australian feature documentary Whale Super Highway, which was captured in the waters of Geographe Bay in WA's South-West region, will make its world premiere in Australia's first mobile 180-degree dome cinema at the festival hub in Busselton.
Documentary Wild Butterfly and horror anthology Dark Whispers Vol 1 will also make their international debut. The opening night of the festival will premiere the family-friendly, coming-of-age movie GO! which was filmed in Busselton and is in competition for the festival's $100,000 film prize.
H is for Happiness - shot and based in Albany - is also vying for the film prize and, after much acclaim from media, will have its WA premiere at the festival.
As stated by Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman:
"It is wonderful to see locally-filmed movies helping to put Western Australia on the map as both a filming location and a tourist destination.
"Once again Western Australia will be the backdrop of a number of feature films and documentaries screening at CinefestOZ - and knowing the picturesque locations in our State, WA is bound to be a scene-stealer.
"I congratulate everyone involved in bringing these films to life, along with the team behind the CinefestOZ film festival which continues to grow each year and cement the region's place in the film industry."
As stated by Regional Development Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"Regional Western Australia is home to some very talented creative professionals - and it is fantastic to see local talent finding employment and professional development opportunities on locally-filmed productions.
"I am pleased State Government funding through the Western Australian Regional Film Fund, as well as Screenwest Production Funding, is helping to grow the local film industry, provide opportunities for locals, and promote our wonderful State to the world."
