Stars come out to play CinefestOZ

CinefestOZ wrapped up on Sunday after sold-out events and the glamour of stars made it the biggest festival in its three-year history in the city.

The five-day event included a red carpet event at Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre with stars including Hugo Weaving and Shane Jacobson making appearances before a screening of Australian film Oddball on Friday.

CinefestOZ chief executive officer Malinda Nixon said this year's festival was the biggest yet in Bunbury, with sold-out sidebar events and well-attended screenings at Grand Cinemas Bunbury.

"We also had the best attendances yet at community screenings at Bunbury Regional Art Galleries and I think the response can be attributed to the fact we are a community-based film festival and the community has become more involved this year," she said.

"It's a team effort and we are grateful to our volunteers and the wonderful filmmakers and stars who attended."

CinefestOZ Bunbury events coordinator Carol McDowall said the organisers were still learning what worked in Bunbury - but comedy events and films with questions and answer sessions had proved popular.

Oddball star Mr Jacobson told the _Bunbury Herald _ that the volunteers and organisers had done a great job with the festival.

"I honestly believe that in Melbourne or Sydney, the festival would be in a cinema and then people would go into a darkened ballroom but the CinefestOZ organisers are doing it the way it should be done," Mr Jacobson said.

"You guys have an amazing culture here - great townships, amazing scenery and great food and wine - plus there are great films on show."

See pictures on page 10 and more on the festival in this Thursday's South Western Times