By Aaron Bunch
An all-star cast of screen industry heavyweights are heading west to inspire and educate the next generation of Australian filmmakers.
The producer of hit TV satire South Park Debbie Liebling and the director of Australian film The Dry Robert Connolly are among those travelling to Busselton to take part in the CinefestOZ film festival this month.
The producer of hit TV satire South Park is travelling to the CinefestOZ film festival this month in WA.
They will be joined by Alison Hurbert-Burns from Binge, Katherine Brown from Stan and Daniel Schultz from Ludo Studios, which produces global hit Bluey, as they share their expert knowledge.
“Our guests have all achieved significant success within the screen industry and we are fortunate that they are available to share their time and knowledge as part of our program,” CinefestOZ chief executive Cassandra Jordan said.
“The industry program also provides interstate and international delegates the opportunity to meet our local filmmakers and scope the destination for potential future film locations and productions.”
A two-day program including presentations, panel talks and workshops will focus on learning from experiences and projects of respected industry leaders.
South Park’s Liebling is an influential producer and studio executive who also helped create hit films like Bridesmaids, Pitch Perfect and Ted.
She is also a former president of production at Universal Pictures.
The Dry’s Connolly is one of Australia’s most acclaimed and best-known filmmakers with an international career spanning 30 years.
His films also include the box office hit Paper Planes with Sam Worthington, Balibo starring Oscar Isaac and Anthony LaPaglia and The Turning with Cate Blanchett and Rose Byrne.
He also directed the Emmy-nominated book adaptation The Slap.
More than a dozen studio producers and executives will also attend to work with about 100 film industry delegates.
While the industry types will be busy networking, the public will get the chance to sample the best in Australian cinema, including the four finalists in this year’s $100,000 Film Prize.
Films fighting for Australia’s biggest award for a feature film – also one of the richest such prizes in the world – are Sean McDonald’s Bromley: Light After Dark, Matt Vesely’s Monolith, Noora Niasari’s Shayda and Mark Leonard Winter’s The Rooster.
Screening outside competition are Bring Him to Me starring Sam Neill and Rachel Griffiths and Ego, the story of Michael Gudinski’s creation of Mushroom Records.
The 16th annual festival will run from August 29 to September 3.
AAP, with Mark Naglazas
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