Your go-to guide to CinefestOZ film festival

The red carpet is rolling out once again, with CinefestOZ Film Festival returning from 28 August to 6 September 2026.

More than 100 Australian films and events will take over cinemas and venues across Busselton, Margaret River, Bunbury and beyond, bringing filmmakers, actors, industry leaders and film lovers together for a celebration of homegrown storytelling.

Now in its 19th year, the festival program spans feature films, documentaries, shorts and television premieres, alongside filmmaker Q&As, live music, community events and plenty of excellent local food and wine. In other words, it’s much more than a trip to the movies.

At the heart of the festival is the prestigious $100,000 CinefestOZ Film Prize, Australia’s richest prize for an Australian feature film.

Four distinctive films are in the running in 2026:

• Sweet Milk Lake, a heartfelt drama from Western Australian writer, director and actor Harvey Zielinski.
• Wilderness, an uplifting and emotional drama starring Yael Stone and Mirrah Foulkes.
• The Fox, a dark, fantastical comedy featuring Jai Courtney, Emily Browning, Miranda Otto, Olivia Colman and Sam Neill.
• Yesterday Island, a quirky time-loop comedy starring Ivan Aristeguieta, Florence Noble and Francis Greenslade.

Festival goers can follow the full Film Prize journey through Western Australian premiere screenings, red-carpet arrivals, filmmaker Q&As and special In Conversation events. The winner will be announced at the Film Prize Celebration at Saltwater Busselton on Saturday 5 September

Margaret River HEART becomes a hub for film, music and conversation throughout the opening weekend.

The festival begins in Margaret River on Friday 28 August with the red-carpet screening of Jebediah: Are We Okay? The documentary charts the 30-year journey of one of Australia’s most loved bands and celebrates friendship, creativity and the connections that have kept its members together. Opening Night includes a welcome drink, light bites, live entertainment and a filmmaker Q&A.

Across the weekend, the Margaret River program moves through documentaries, dramas, family favourites and fresh Australian releases. Screenings include Caterpillar, Guided by Horses, Almost With You, Digby and Camille, Rodeo Dreams, Boss Cat, Summer Beats and The Piano Tuner.

Families can also catch a free community screening of Kangaroo on Saturday 29 August, while Monday evening’s The Bad & The Beautiful short-film set brings together a collection of compelling new Australian dramas.

CinefestOZ continues its celebration of First Nations voices through Deadly events across the festival.

Deadly Day comes to Margaret River HEART on Sunday 30 August, creating space for connection, culture and conversation. It’s joined by Deadly Shorts, a showcase of First Nations short films demonstrating the depth, diversity and power of Indigenous storytelling on screen.

Some of the festival’s most exciting discoveries arrive in small packages. The 2026 short-film program gathers emerging and established Australian talent into themed collections spanning romantic comedy, drama, horror, First Nations storytelling, student films and Western Australian-made productions.

Choose from the witty First Nations rom-coms of Proper Loved Up, discover local talent in Once Upon a Time in the West, or settle in for the festival’s standout comedies with Some Like It Hot. Brave filmgoers can even experience Horror in the Viewing Room, screened in the suitably unsettling surrounds of a real funeral home.

CinefestOZ offers plenty of opportunities to hear directly from the people bringing Australian stories to life.

The 2026 guest line-up includes actors, filmmakers and screen creatives such as Damon Herriman, Rachel House, Yael Stone, Mirrah Foulkes, Dario Russo, Darren Gilshenan and Harvey Zielinski. Look out for red-carpet appearances, post-screening discussions, filmmaker Q&As and intimate conversations throughout the festival.

For screen professionals, the CinefestOZ Industry Conference returns to Busselton on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September. Presentations, panels and workshops connect emerging and established practitioners with leading creatives, broadcasters, streamers and decision-makers from across the Australian screen industry.

• Book your accommodation early and make a getaway of it.
• Browse the full CinefestOZ program and save your must-see screenings and events.
• Follow CinefestOZ on Facebook and Instagram for festival announcements and guest updates.

Combine a love of film and extend your weekend in the Margaret River Region.

Wander out yonder and explore natural phenomena, ancient limestone caves, towering karri forests, a thriving arts scene, or sample the culinary delights of a renowned food scene with world-class wines, boutique breweries and friendly locals.

Top things to do:

• Busselton Jetty’s Underwater Observatory
• Explore Jewel or Ngilgi limestone caves
• Sample premium wine and boutique brews
• Whale watching in Augusta
• Visit a lighthouse
• Watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean