Events

Gala Opening

The Festival opens on the memorable date of 9th of the 9th, with a special opening night cocktail party event. Last year was a sell out and this year's opening will be bigger and better than ever before. Begin the night with award winning wine from Clairault Wines, savour the delights of canapes, and something new this year; you will have the choice to view either a French ('Paris 36') or Australian ('My Year Without Sex') film for the opening celebrations.

Want a sneak peak at the menu? Download a copy here.

Celebrations start from 6:15pm, with the films commencing at 8:00pm in Cinemas 1 and 2.

Director's Lunch

Clairault Estate will be hosting CinéfestOZ special guests and VIP's and sponsors for a French-themed luncheon on Friday 11th September from 12.30pm. If you'd like to join the group and mix with directors, celebrities and film-making personalities, whilst enjoying exquisite wines and food, tickets can be purchased from Ace Cinemas . Please note that numbers are strictly limited.

Want a sneak peak at the wonderful lunch menu? Download a copy here.

Clairault will also be offering regular diners some exclusive French cuisine for the week of CinéfestOZ, so why not cap off your festival experience with a wonderful meal? Grab some friends and book in a table!

Clairault can be contacted on 9755 6655 or via clairault@clairaultwines.com.au.

www.clairaultwines.com.au

Art Geo Film and Art Showcase (Court Short)

As well as being the host for the wonderful Premiere celebration on the Saturday night of the Festival, the Art Geo Gallery is also showcasing some local art and short films for the duration of the Festival. Thanks to Festival partners, Jack in the box and Screen West, a series of short films and documentaries from Western Australian and other film producers will be screened at the Art Geo Gallery, free of charge. The Art Geo Showcase is an extension of the CinéfestOZ festival to the wider community, enhancing the accessibility to Australian film and culture.

The Gallery opening hours during the festival are:
Thursday 10th and Friday 11th September: 10am - 4pm
Saturday 12th September: 9.30am - 11am
Sunday 13th September: 10am - 4pm

Contributions from local artists Wendy Slee and Troy Bennell will also be on display and for sale.

Here is how Wendy describes her art: 'My art begins, like most creative expression, with an idea, a feeling or an inspiration that comes from somewhere deep within my heart. I have a thought, an emotion, or see something that touches me and it grows from there....'. Take a look at Wendy's art whilst taking in a short film.

For more information about the short films being screened, visit the short film sessions page.

For more information, contact Festival Coordinator Malinda Nixon on 0427 088 601 or via malinda@cinefestoz.com, or contact the Art Geo Gallery on 9751 4651.

School Sessions

The contraversial film, The Combination has been selected as a special school student screening, providing the opportunity for local youth to experience and confront the cultural divides and challenges that exist in Australian society. Lead actor and script writer George Basha will also attend the session to offer and insight into the making of the film.

The Combination will be screened at the first School Session on the 10th of September, from 10.00am - 12.30pm in Cinema 1.

In Cinema 2 The Fox and the Child will be shown from 9.30am - 11.00am.

The claymated classic, Mary and Max, will also be on show for local school students for a more lighthearted look at film making. After the film there will be the opportunity to discuss it's creation with West Australian claymation film maker Pierce Davison who worked on Mary and Max. An example of Peirce's claymation will also be screened.

Mary and Max will be screened at the second School Session on the 11th of September, from 10.00am - 12.30pm in Cinema 1.

For further information on attending these sessions, contact Student's Director, Lee-Anne Walker on 0408 900 321 or via lee-anne@cinefestoz.com.

Silver Sessions

A 'first time' event for this year's festival is two 'Silver Sessions'; a film and afternoon tea event reserved specifically for the over 55 group, sponsored exclusively by Connect Hearing.

Attendees can chose between:

Paris 36 in Cinema 1 or Disgrace in Cinema 2 - Thursday 10th September - 2:15pm afternoon tea of drinks, cheese and biscuits followed by a 3:00pm movie screening, concluding at 5:05pm.

Take a sneak peak at the menu here.

Summer Hours in Cinema 1 or My Year Without Sex in Cinema 2 - Friday 11th September - 2.15pm afternoon tea of tea, coffee and pastries followed by a 3:00pm movie screening, concluding at 5.00pm.

Take a sneak peak at the menu here.

Tickets can be purchased for $20 each from the Busselton Senior Citizens Centret - contact them on 9752 2232, or Festival Coordinator Malinda Nixon on 0427 088 601, for more information.

Transport can be arranged to and from Ace Cinemas for both sessions for those who request it.

	Discussion Forum - The New International Film Market With special guest Jérôme Paillard the Executive Director of Cannes Marché du Film. The Cannes Marché takes place at the same time as the Cannes Film Festival each year and is touted as the most important film market in the world where film professionals buy and sell film rights, find co-producers and network. Joining Jérôme will be Producer of 'Mary & Max' Melanie Coombs, WA Managing Director of Zac Toons, Troy Zafer and WBMC Chief Creative Officer and director and producer of the WA film, 'Wasted', Aidan O'Bryan. More special guests will be announced soon. Film makers and film enthusiasts have a unique opportunity to hear the group's views on how to reach audiences worldwide through traditional and new mediums and how the Jérôme's perspective on how the Cannes Film Market operates. Don't miss out on the opportunity to meet and hear from these esteemed guests from 2:30-4:30pm on Saturday 12 September, 2009 at Ace Cinemas. Organised in conjunction with ScreenWest This is a ticket only event, with tickets available to purchase from Ace Cinemas.
	Premiere Event This event is proudly brought to you by Jack in the box. Get your first glance at one of Australia's funniest films, with the exclusive premiere of the Indigenous comedy Stone Bro's on the evening of Saturday 12th September. The evening begins at 6:15pm with a meet and greet and introductory drink, then the film formalities and screening begins at 7:00pm. The Afters party will then follow at the Art Geo Gallery until late with food, drink and live entertainment. Take a sneak peak at the scrumptious menu here. The Premiere is available as a packaged price of $20 for the film and pre-film wine, beer, or soft drink. Or, $90, including all-night food, drink and entertainment at the after party at the Art Geo Gallery. Tickets to both can be purchased from Ace Cinemas.
	Sunday Crime Time Another 'first time' event is 'Sunday Crime Time' - the two part screening of the popular and gritty French film, Public Enemy Number One, interluded with a tea, coffee and French baguette afternoon tea. Have a sneak peak at the intermission menu here. Sunday 13th September, 1:00pm - 5:30pm, Cinema 2 with an intermission. Visit Ace Cinemas to book your tickets.
	Festival Club - Vasse Bar Cafe Your film ticket is valid for 1 free house wine or beer, or softdrink at the Vasse Bar Café for the duration of the Festival only. So take yourself and your ticket to the Vasse after the films and enjoy the atmosphere; socialise over a drink and discuss the festival's films. A special French themed menu will also be available for the duration of the festival. View the dinner menu here, and breakfast menu here. Enjoy live entertainment by French singers Pascale and Geraldine Rey. Every night during the Festival - Queen Street, Busselton.