An all-star cast of screen industry heavyweights will judge Australia’s richest film prize, as actor Hugo Weaving heads west to watch a world premiere starring Sam Neill and Rachel Griffiths.

Four Australian-made films are in the running for the coveted award at next week’s CinefestOZ Film Festival in Western Australia’s southwest.

Sci-fi-thriller Monolith, dramas Shayda and The Rooster and documentary Bromley: Light After Dark will compete for the top accolade at the popular event, where the public can rub shoulders with the stars.

They will be judged by four-time Emmy award-winner and production designer of blockbuster TV series Game of Thrones and movie The Matrix, Deborah Riley, the producer of the hit TV satire South Park, Debbie Liebling, and director of Australian film The Dry, Robert Connolly.

Award-winning actress and director Mia Wasikowska and film, TV and theatre actor Rob Collins, who starred in Cleverman and Mystery Road, have also been appointed to the star-studded jury.

CinefestOZ chair Margaret Buswell said the film prize had been recognising excellence in Australian filmmaking since 2014.

“One of the unique aspects of the festival is that you have the opportunity to meet some of your favourite filmmakers and actors at the screenings and special events held throughout the region,” she said.

The jury will be joined at the festival by special guest Weaving and actress and director Rachel Ward, who will also meet with festivalgoers for the WA premiere of her new documentary Rachel’s Farm.

The 16th annual CinefestOZ Film Festival runs from August 29 to September 3 in Busselton.

The event will also host the world premiere of the thriller Bring Him To Me starring Neill and Griffiths and the Australian premiere of Ben Kingsley’s new sci-fi comedy Jules, which is directed by Liebling.

— AAP

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