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 next month.

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 Saturday, 29 August.

Tickets for this special event go on sale today, along with Early Bird tickets for 10 other events, including the opening night screening of RAMS and the CinefestOZ Short Film Showcase.

Purchase tickets to Dirt Music Special Presentation here

Purchase your Festival Cinepass here

Purchase your Short Film Cinepass here

Browse the Early Bird program here

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 the Australian West and stars Golden Globe and BAFTA Award nominee Kelly Macdonald, Garrett Hedlund and acclaimed Australian actor David Wenham, a Patron of CinefestOZ.

Chair of CinefestOZ Helen Shervington said Dirt Music was the perfect heavyweight 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 to sweep audiences away and we couldn’t be prouder to play host to such a special screening,” she said.

Managing Director of Universal Pictures Australia Mike Baard said: “We are 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.”

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.

CEO of Screenwest Willie Rowe said: “Dirt Music captures 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.

The full CinefestOZ program will be announced on 31 July and will incorporate at least 40 live events and screenings, including a range of feature films, along with a selection of online screenings.

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