CinefestOz movie crew members Skye Handley, Scarlett Fry, Cameron Dickson, Kathryn Dickson and Natasha Fry.
UPDATE: Eight student filmmakers from the South West are competing for the prestigious CinefestOZ prize as the 2025 Cinesnaps Short Film Competition heats up. With the theme “rip”, students have unleashed their creativity, presenting original short films that are set to captivate audiences during the festival.
The finalists, hailing from Busselton, Bunbury, Albany, and Katanning, will showcase their work at a red-carpet awards event scheduled for September 2, 2025. This year, a remarkable 61 emerging filmmakers entered the competition, highlighting a surge in local talent and creativity.
Among the standout entries is Milla Patterson from Georgina Molloy Anglican School, whose film titled One Dress tells the story of Annabelle, who faces chaos after borrowing her sister’s dress for a disco party without permission. In the Year 7-9 category, Bunbury Senior High School’s team—comprised of Liam Turnbull, Omkar Variya, and Cohen Hope—presents Consp-RIP-acy. This humorous film follows conspiracy theorists embroiled in a courtroom adventure against the government.
In the Year 10-12 category, students from Bunbury Catholic College—Jana Worgan, Jade Turpin, Jasmine Elliott, and Abigail Fishlock—share a gripping tale about a girl who faces unexpected twists while trying to check her phone. Additionally, Ethan Tomlinson from Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School presents Reception, where a dark phone booth encounter turns terrifying.
Also participating are Taylor Nuttall and Isabella Reid from Manea Senior College with their film Consequence, and classmates Jack Harris and Charlie Wallrodt presenting Erode, which explores the struggles of an honest office worker with a fading memory.
Scott Mills, CinefestOZ community & education engagement manager, praised the creativity ignited by this year’s theme. “A heartfelt thank you and congratulations go to all of the students, as well as the dedicated educators who have inspired their students to engage in high-quality audio-visual storytelling,” he stated.
Since 2011, the CinefestOZ Cinesnaps program has engaged over 60,000 students, connecting young filmmakers with industry professionals. As Western Australia’s film production continues to thrive, this competition represents a vital stepping stone for the next generation of filmmakers ready to make their mark.
The films will be judged by a panel of film professionals ahead of the awards, building excitement as the festival date approaches. Stay tuned for the outcomes on September 2, as these talented students strive for recognition in the film industry.
