Issue 47 Aurora Magazine April 2022

what’s on
CINEFESTOZ ALBANY
Celebrating the Local Film Industry
STORY JACOB MORGAN-DE LAINE
This year CinefestOZ invites you to a huge four day festival in Albany, celebrating the
diversity and creativity of our very own local film industry. The festival will run from
28 April to 1 May, and include films and filmmakers from across the state.
The WA film industry is an eclectic and passionate community of creatives who love to
share their stories, their triumphs and their pain with us on the silver screen. This year
is the second time CinefestOZ will be coming to Albany to share the diverse stories of
incredible people from across WA and the world. This follows on from the success of
major productions in the Great southern region such as H is for Happiness, Breathe and
Rams which have spotlighted the region’s cinematic potential.
With the success of last year’s event and after consultation with the local community,
CinefestOZ identified the need for a space dedicated to local Albany and Great Southern
filmmakers and creative community. The new Kinjarling Koort event, which will run on
Saturday 30 April is an exciting new initiative supported by Lottery West.
Kinjarling Koort comprises screenings in the Albany Town Hall and cultural activities in a
marquee in the Town Square. The event will showcase a selection of films about Albany
and the Great Southern produced by local indigenous and non-indigenous filmmakers.
It aims to foster local talent, encouraging the telling of local stories through film in the
lead up to Albany’s bicentenary.
The event name, Koort is the Menang Noongar word for heart.
Menang Noongar Elder, Vernice Gillies said “for us Menang Noongars, koort means
heart, and I’m pleased that CinefestOZ Albany is calling its celebration of Albany films
and film-makers Koort. It is about being at the heart of Menang country.”
Recently announced CinefestOZ ambassador and indigenous filmmaker Karla Hart, will
screen her film Tooly followed by an ‘in conversation’ giving locals the chance to interact
with other creatives in the region and gain inspiration for their own projects.
Another of her projects Virtual Whadjuk, will also be shown in the town square. The work
is a virtual reality experience which places audiences into a thriving Aboriginal Australian
culture as it once existed in the moments leading up to first contact with Europeans.
“There’s no lack of creative film-makers in Albany and we thought the Festival was an
ideal opportunity to bring some of their films together,” said CinefestOZ Albany event
coordinator Annette Davis.
The day will end with a screening of the multiple award winning, Edward and Isabella,
by Albany writer and director Adam Morris and starring actor of Hollywood fame Chloe
Hurst.
Morris’ film was the recipient of last year’s award for Best Narrative Feature Film with
a Budget Under $1 Million at the WA Screen Culture Awards. This achievement further
highlights the amazing talent being nurtured in the Great Southern region.
Morris, who is an author turned filmmaker, wrote Edward and Isabella while travelling
through Europe in early 2020. This film is Morris’ debut feature and was shot in Albany
over 18 days at the end of last year. It features locations recognisable to residents of the
Great Southern such as the Porongurup, Bluff Knoll and some Albany wineries.
In an interview with Inside Film magazine, Morris said it was an honour to have
CinefestOZ backing his film.
“Filmmaking is such a collaborative enterprise so it’s really fitting that everyone who
was so generous with their time, effort and energy in helping to make the film happen
POSTPONED UNTIL SEPTEMBER
art IN THE PORONGURUP
ART IN THE PORONGURUP | Sculpture
ART IN THE HALL BAZAAR | Art/craft
NEW TIMES
24 September to 2 October 2022
For more information contact
Judy 0428 282 016
Sayah porongurupianchild@gmail.com
LOVE LOCAL
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