Audiences in the South West will be among the first in Australia to see the highly anticipated film Dirt Music, which will screen at CinefestOZ in August 2020.
The West Australian drama, based on the critically acclaimed novel by iconic Australian writer Tim Winton, will screen at the closing night of the festival at Orana Cinemas in Busselton on August 29, 2020.
Dirt Music, directed by Gregor Jordan (Two Hands, Buffalo Soldiers) is a gritty, sexy drama about people whose hopes and dreams are lost, and the redemptive power of love.
It is set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of Western Australia and stars Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominee Kelly Macdonald, Garrett Hedlund and acclaimed Australian actor David Wenham, a patron of CinefestOZ.
CinefestOZ chair Helen Shervington said Dirt Music was the perfect heavy weight film to round out the festival and anticipates it being a massive hit with the local audience.
"This breathtaking Australian drama, filmed in our incredible state, is bound tos weep audiences away and we couldn't be prouder to play host to such a special screening," she said.
Universal Pictures Australia managing director Mike Baard said they were so proud to bring the adaptation of Tim Winton's beloved novel to cinemas.
"Western Australia is integral to the setting of the film and we hope audiences will be captivated and moved by this beautiful love story unfolding against this incredible landscape," he said.
"Dirt Music, produced by Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey (Brooklyn, An Education),Angie Fielder (Lion, Wish You Were Here) and Polly Staniford (Berlin Syndrome) and written for the screen by Jack Thorne, was shot on Bardi Jawi country in the Kimberley, Western Australia and Noongar country in Perth and Esperance, Western Australia.
Dirt Music was supported through Western Australian Regional Film Fund supported by Royalties for Regions, with production funding from Screenwest and Lotterywest,closely working with the Kimberley and Goldfields Esperance Development Commissions.
Screenwest chief executive Willie Rowe said Dirt Music captured the wonder of the amazing Kimberley and Esperance regions, giving life to a loved Western Australian tale.
"Dirt Music is the second major feature to be revealed as part of the CinefestOZ 2020 program, following the announcement last week that West Australian film RAMS will open the festival," he said.
The full CinefestOZ program will be announced on July 31, 2020 and will incorporate at least 40 live events and screenings, including a range of feature films, along with a selection of online screenings.
Early Bird tickets are now on sale for 10 events, including the opening night screening of RAMS, and the CinefestOZ Short Film Showcase, which will shine a spotlight on the depth of talent within Australia's film family.