Rachel Griffiths has an Academy Award nomination and will forever be remembered for her role in the all-time Australian classic Muriel’s Wedding, and now she can add CinefestOZ jury chair to her resume.
The West Australian can today reveal the Golden Globe-winning star of the acclaimed TV comedy Six Feet Under will visit WA’s southwest this month for the annual film festival.
As chair of a jury of screen industry veterans, Griffiths will help decide who wins Cinefest’s $100,000 film prize, the richest award in the country for an Australian production.
“I’m honoured to be chair of this year’s Jury and to finally experience one of the most loved film festivals in the country, and of course to experience the people and landscapes of the great southwest region of WA, which I have never visited,” Griffiths said.
“I’m looking forward to meeting this year’s filmmakers and joining a stellar jury to celebrate the films in selection.”
There are four films in contention for the $100,000, including the WA-made family comedy Runt, based on the hit book of the same name by Craig Silvey.
Directed by John Sheedy and starring Celeste Barber, Jai Courtney and Jack Thompson, the film tells the story of little Annie, played by newcomer Lily LaTorre, whose friendship with stray dog Runt must save the family farm.
Runt faces stiff competition from the other finalists, such as animated drama Memoir of a Snail by Oscar-winning director Adam Elliot (Harvie Krumpet), which features the voices of Sarah Snook, Eric Bana and Jackie Weaver.
Rounding out the field are Audrey, a black comedy by director Natalie Bailey, and The Moogai, a searing, Indigenous horror flick from director Jon Bell, starring Shari Sebbens and Meyne Wyatt.
Joining Griffiths on the film prize jury are prolific US producer Gary Foster (Sleepless in Seattle), accomplished documentary writer, director and producer Nel Minchin (Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra), and award-winning actor Tasma Walton (Mystery Road).
The public will have a chance to see the star-studded jury at the festival when they attend red carpet premieres of each of the film prize finalists, as well as the special In Conversation breakfast at Shelter Brewing Co.
The film prize winner will be announced at a gala event on September 7.
Previous winners include Shayda (2023), Nitram (2021), H is for Happiness (2019) and Paper Planes (2014).
CinefestOZ runs from August 31 to September 8, across venues in Augusta, Bunbury, Busselton and Margaret River.