Film festival set to be biggest yet

The highly anticipated film festival CinesfestOZ is set to return to Bunbury for it’s seventh year this week, with the first film being aired tomorrow afternoon.

CinefestOZ chief executive Malinda Nixon said this year’s festival featured major films that were filmed in the South West region.

“CinefestOZ this year is the biggest we have ever had by a significant amount,” Mrs Nixon said.

“It is particularly big because they’re showcasing four locally made films that were made in the South West.

“We’ve got the Naked Wanderer in Bunbury on the Friday night, Go! in Busselton, Storm in a Teacup in Margaret River, Whale Super Highway, so it is a really amazing year this year – we haven’t had a year like it before.”

Mrs Nixon said this year’s event had attracted people from interstate to visit the region.

“There are a number of people that are coming from Sydney and Melbourne which is great to get the national recognition,” Mrs Nixon said. “I know the Naked Wanderer has worked on a number of international deals and those sorts of films that showcase the region are really great because it does entice people to come and visit,” Mrs Nixon said.

The City of Bunbury manager for people and place Isabelle Evans said this year’s festival in particular would give Bunbury exposure on an international scale.

“CinefestOZ is beneficial in many ways, from the opportunities it gives students to participate in film-making workshops to the publicity the region receives on the world stage from premieres like The Naked Wanderer and the film’s stars,” Ms Evans said.

“Whilst the film The Naked Wanderer was shot throughout WA, a substantial part of it was shot in Bunbury and surrounds, giving our magnificent Bunbury Geographe region sensational exposure on a national and international level.”

The Naked Wanderer will premiere on Friday night at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre.