Many hands make lights work behind the scenes

When it’s lights, camera and action time for the CinefestOZ film festival, there will be many hands behind the scenes that make the event successful.

Event organisers are recruiting people to volunteer as part of the movie crew when the festival takes place around the South West on August 24-28,

CinefestOZ chief executive officer Malinda Nixon said the professionalism and dedication of the movie crew had helped earn the festival a friendly reputation.

“They are the ambassadors and backbone of the festival,” she said

“Their smiling faces greet our audiences and their local knowledge helps create the hospitable festival atmosphere.

“Without the volunteers, who fill a wide variety of integral roles, CinefestOZ, a not-for-profit event, could not operate.

“With over 40 events and more than 200 screenings, we depend on volunteer support and value everyone who gives up their time.”

Bunbury residents Mike and Valerie Rowe have been volunteering as part of the festival for three years.

Mrs Turner said they volunteered because they understood the festival’s importance to Bunbury and the South West.

“We both love movies and it’s a pretty amazing film festival, which we think is great we can have it in the South West,” she said.

“My belief is that we need to support it by doing whatever we can.”

Bunbury resident Matt Turner said he decided to volunteer for the fourth time this year because he was a film buff and it was his way of contributing.

“It’s my way of giving back to the industry and I get a good feeling of satisfaction from doing that,” he said.

“I’ve been an usher during some of the premiere screenings, I’ve helped run the community screenings at the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries and I’ve done some promotional work too.”