CinefestOZ 2025: Busselton’s Biggest Week on Screen

If you're looking for the perfect reason to visit Busselton, CinefestOZ is it. Running from 30 August to 7 September, this is Australia’s premier destination film festival—and as a local, I can promise you there’s nothing quite like seeing our town transform into a celebration of story, culture, and creativity. The festival blends film screenings with the laid-back charm of the South West, taking over wineries, boutique cinemas, small bars, and coastal venues for a week of unforgettable experiences.

This year marks CinefestOZ’s 18th anniversary, and the program is bigger than ever. With over 90 films including feature-length dramas, documentaries, and short films, there’s something for everyone. A highlight is the premiere of Mystery Road: Origin Season 2—filmed right here in WA. The festival also hosts Australia’s richest film prize, with four standout films competing for the $100,000 award, drawing top talent from across the country to our doorstep.

What really sets this festival apart is how grounded it is in community and place. Events like IndigifestOZ and Deadly Days celebrate First Nations storytelling through free screenings, markets, and performances across Busselton, Margaret River, and Bunbury. It’s more than entertainment—it’s a space to connect with culture and celebrate voices that matter.

For those in the screen industry—or aspiring to be—there’s a packed Industry Program with panels, workshops, and networking events running midweek. And if you’re visiting with teens, don’t miss the Cinesnaps student film program, which gives young storytellers the chance to walk a red carpet and screen their work.

CinefestOZ is more than a film festival—it’s a reflection of what makes Busselton so special. Beautiful scenery, great wine, meaningful stories, and a warm, creative energy that fills every venue. Come for the films, stay for the South West charm—we’d love to have you