CinefestOZ Film Festival

WA Premiere These Final Hours wins critics prize at Melbourne International Film Festival

Perth filmmaker Zak Hilditch has won The Age Critic’s Award at the Melbourne International Film Festival (MIFF) with his debut feature film These Final Hours, which poses the question: If you knew the end of the world was coming, what would you do in your final hours? The film will make its premiere in Western Australia at CinèfestOZ on Thursday, 22 August.

These Final Hours is a presentation of the Melbourne International Film Festival MIFF Premiere Fund at CinèfestOZ.

In handing down the decision at MIFF, the judges’ panel cited that “Ava Gardner had once allegedly said Melbourne was the perfect place to film the end of the world, but that ‘Zak Hilditch has proved that Perth is even better.”

“Critics have already cited These Final Hours as a stand out film in what has become a competing film space - dealing with the end of the earth.

Filmed in Perth, These Final Hours tracks the tale of a self-obsessed young man (Nathan Phillips) who makes his way to the party-to-end-all-parties on the last day on Earth, but ends up saving the life of a little girl (Angourie Rice) searching for her father. Their relationship ultimately leads him on the path to redemption.

“The young Rice is definitely a stand out amongst a cast who independently deliver convincing performances on the horror, stress and humanity in the realisation of the end.”

“This film is certainly not for the faint-hearted, it is a highly entertaining adventure which is destined to be applauded.”

Director Zak Hilditch (The Actress, Plum Role and The Toll, Transmission) was already recognised as a Director to watch - having won the Young Filmmaker of the Year at the 2006 WA Screen Awards and was shortlisted for the Inside Film Rising Talent Award.

Of the six Australian films nominated for the The Age Critics Award at MIFF, five will screen at CinéfestOZ this month, these being Mystery Road, The Rocket and MIFF@CinefestOZ films Patrick, The Turning (Abbreviation WA Chapters of the Turning will be presented) and These Final Hours.

“These critically-acclaimed films will come to Western Australia direct from MIFF, to provide our strongest line-up of new Australian films,” said Festival Director Malinda Nixon.

“We are delighted a Western Australian-made film has received this recognition and we congratulate Zak Hilditch, Executive Producer Robert Connolly, Producer Liz Kearney and their team on this award.

Zak Hilditch and Liz Kearney will attend the festival and introduce this film to the CinèfestOZ audiences and take part in a Q and A session following this film, which is fantastic,” said Festival Director Malinda Nixon.

“We look forward to welcoming Zak and Liz to CinéfestOZ to showcase their film to Western Australian audiences.”

CinèfestOZ is holding a gala evening in recognition of the film’s WA premiere in Busselton, beginning with drinks, canapés and music before a screening and Q & A with the filmmakers.

FULL PROGRAM ON SALE NOW! The best way to experience CinéfestOZ is through Festival Gold Passes and Weekend Gold passes available via the CinéfestOZ website. Subscribe to the CinefestOZ newsletter to learn more www.cinefestoz.com.

More about CinéfestOZ. CinéfestOZ showcases extraordinary Australian and French films over five days (21 -25 August).

Through feature film premieres and a highly anticipated film selection, the Film Festival draws a diverse audience and attracts filmmakers and actors from throughout Australia.

CinéfestOZ is a nod to the south-west’s early French exploration but also that country’s strong film making culture. Against this cultural backdrop Busselton comes alive for a celebration of engaging film, filmmaker forums, premiere and gala events.

Headquartered in Busselton, CinéfestOZ extends to Margaret River and Bunbury for extension premieres, additional screenings and a unique Schools Program.

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