Goran Stolevski’s ‘Of An Age’ Claims Australia’s Richest Film Prize at CinefestOZ

variety.com:

Katherine Tulich Goran Stolevski’s “Of An Age” won Australia’s richest film prize of A$100,000 ($65,000) at CinefestOz at a gala closing night over the weekend in Busselton, Western Australia.

The Macedonian born, Melbourne based writer and director Stolevski also presented his much-lauded first feature “We Are Not Alone” at the festival.

The CinefestOZ film prize is dedicated to new Australian-made films and consisted of four finalists.The others also included Gracie Otto’s comedy “Seriously Red,”, the world premiere of Matt Nable’s intense drama “Transfusion,” starring Sam Worthington and audience favorite, “Sweet As,” the first-time feature by local indigenous director Jub Clerc. “Sweet As” was based on Clerc’s own experiences as a teenager traveling on a photographic road trip through the spectacular Pilbara region of Western Australia. (It has also been selected as one of five Australian projects to be screened at the Toronto festival this year.) The competition jury was chaired by actor Richard Roxburgh (“Moulin Rouge,” “Elvis”) who was also named this year’s CinefestOZ 2021 Screen Legend, for his outstanding contribution to the Australian film industry.

The six-day festival, held in the scenic Margaret River region showcased a jam-packed schedule of 270 screenings and events featuring Australian shorts, features and documentaries, s as well as a two-day industry program with national and international guests.