Welcome to the CinefestOZ 2024 Official Podcast, hosted by the talented Joel Jackson. This is your VIP ticket to Australia’s leading destination film festival, giving you access to the filmmakers, talent, and creators who bring the Australia’s most captivating stories to life. Tune in for insightful conversations with special guests and discover what makes CinefestOZ the must-attend film festival of the year.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Zoe Pepper is known for her big hearted, dark and irreverent stories, with credits such as the web series 'The Big Spaghetti', the TV Show 'Lift', and her debut feature film 'Birthright'. Growing up in Denmark and living in Fremantle, WA is close to Zoe's heart. So having her first step into feature films be in competition for the CinefestOZ Film Prize down in the south west feels like a full circle moment. In this episode, Zoe goes through the freedom that WestCoast visions supplied her in the making of 'Birthright', as well as how she took the on the thoughts and feelings of the actors when it comes to the voice of the characters she wrote on the page.
Hosted and Produced by Alex Williams
Starring Richard Roxburgh
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2025
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Aug 2026
In Conversation with Shari Sebbens
Alex is joined by Shari Sebbens, an incredible theatre actor and director, known for her work on Australia Day, Black Comedy and Thor: Ragnarok. In 2025 she had the pleasure of being in the seat of one of the Film Prize Jury, rightfully earned after a decade in the industry. In this episode Shari shares with us her experience with Western Australia, the film selection process for the festival, her relationship with the other judges, and crossover from in front of the camera to behind the camera.
Hosted and Produced by Alex Williams
Starring Richard Roxburgh
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2025
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Aug 2026
In Conversation with Richard Roxburgh
In this 'In Conversation' Alex is joined by award winning actor and filmmaker Richard Roxburgh. His filmography stretching from 2001's 'Moulin Rouge!' to 2022's 'Elvis', working with some of the greatest talent in the industry over the years. Richard walks us through his love for the medium of film and his experience of being on the jury board of CinefestOZ's 2022 festival, as well as his connection to the home of the festival, Busselton.
Hosted and Produced by Alex Williams
Starring Richard Roxburgh
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2025
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
11 Aug 2026
In Conversation with Nathalie Morris
Nathalie Morris is a film, television and stage actor from Canberra. Performing across a stretch of high level roles such as Binge's 'The Twelve', Stan's 'Bump', and feature film 'We Were Dangerous'. Last year at CinefestOZ, Nathalie held one the honorary positions as a Film Prize Jury Member, alongside Francis O'Connor, Wayne Blair, Shari Sebbens and Johnathan Page. In this episode, Nathalie goes through her experience at the festival, as well as the respect she for writers in the creation and understanding the characters she plays.
Hosted and Produced by Alex Williams
Starring Nathalie Morris
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2025
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
7 Apr 2025
In Conversation with Yasmin Kassim
Yasmin Kassim is a writer, actor and comedian. She has acted in various high level international projects; One Perfect Match, Human Error, Neighbours and of course Jungle (which is how Joel and her first met!), all while touring internationally as a comedian. Yasmin has cowritten a pilot with Hanna Stein that was acquired by 3 Arts and two time Emmy award winner Michael Rotenberg is set to produce with Chrissie Teigen. Yasmin bring her new work Ghost Writer, to WIFT (Women in Film and Television) this year; a retreat for emerging and established screenwriters to focus on the further development of a scripted screen project. In the chat we cover everything from managing an international career to keeping the flame alight at home and making the most of every opportunity. It’s a goodun.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Yasmin Kassim
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Mar 2025
In Conversation with Jack Byrnes
Jack Byrnes is a Melbourne director and creative visiting CinefestOz with his insanely brilliant action packed short film, “Unstoppable.” The first ever Australian action flick with the leading man kicking ass and taking names in a wheelchair. Jack and Joel sit down to discuss the creation process of wanting to create an unknown entity in the action genre, a chair bound action hero who not only crushes the bad guy but takes the audience on an action epic in the ilk of bad asses gone by. “Die Hard,” “John Wick” and “Upgrade” all came to mind while watching the breath stealing sequences and there’s far more potential where that came from. Jack and Joel go on to discuss the ambition needed and practicality necessary to deliver on a bold idea while discussing authenticity, heart and collaboration in the creative process.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Jack Byrnes
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Feb 2025
In Conversation with Renee Webster
Renee Webster captured the attentions of Australia like none other recently with her feature, “How to Please A Woman,” stealing box office limelight and the hearts of the country, and deservedly so. Her experience as a writer and director with a growing list of exceptional credits tells a story of a creative on a mission and in the booth, we discuss just that. How do you champion your voice across different mediums, remaining flexible to the style or genre you’re working inside and what it takes to make something great on page breath an exceptional life of its own off the page. It’s a short chat due to Renee’s schedule but alas, still a very worthy one and we thank her for her time and brilliance. A great episode for those filmmakers looking for a healthy dose of inspiration from an experienced creator who is at the top of her game.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Renee Webster
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
20 Jan 2025
In Conversation with Honny Palayukan
Honny is the fearless, intelligent, brilliant and creative leader of the CinefestOz 2024 Short Film Program. The individual responsible for ticking that box that makes sure your short film screens at the best festival in the West. Joel’s intention to get her into the booth was to ensure we heard about the selection process for all budding filmmakers to get a better understanding of how it all unfolds and how to ensure you too can get your film into the festival. But it turned into a deep dive into a chat about how one of the most thoughtful, caring and loving creators filters through the 100’s of short films to select, curate and create an experience for audience members who have travelled from overseas to view the short film program. We chat more about how Honny found her way to CinefestOz and the importance of a short film remaining authentic to the vision and voice of the creator. It was really quite special, and I think you’ll enjoy it. Not to be missed this one
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
7 Jan 2025
In Conversation with Bailey Parkinson and Jay Peardon
“Sundowners”, writer, co-director, producer, star (Jay), Bailey co-director and producer join the booth to chat about their nominated Best WA Short Film. We chat everything from low budget filmmaking, creating on the fly, their creative process as long time collaborators and how to find the perfect unknown lead. The film is a raw, unfiltered and honest depiction of sleeping rough and surviving through optimism with moments reminiscent of “Nomadland” and “Paris, Texas.” We talk creating an atmosphere to capture authenticity and how to follow your gut instinct despite the monetary difficulties of creating in what is increasingly a monetised industry. But also, how to have fun while creating difficult work. It’s a corker.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Bailey Parkinson and Jay Peardon
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Dec 2024TRANSCRIPT
In Conversation with the team from Dusty
This short film is not for the faint of heart, because my friends it’s bound to steal it. The colour, comedy and raw empathy that filmmakers Travis Jeffery, Shannon Ryan, Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor and executive producer Ari Haralambis (all in the booth) turn out for this short is incredible. There’s no question as to why it was nominated for Best Script, Best Short Film and Best Direction at the CinefestOz Short Film Awards. Jeremy Lindsay Taylor ended up taking home the gong for Best Director. But we’re in the booth, we sit down with this insanely talented and humble team to chat about building the world of Dusty, the rehearsal process, the writing process, the logistics of snorting copious amounts of fake cocaine and how that impacts the lead and your scheduling, plus what it means to survive a harrowing personal experience with grief and how the team found a way to turn it into a universal message that audiences could connect to. Special stuff, enjoy.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Travis Jeffery, Shannon Ryan, Jeremy Lindsay Taylor & Ari Haralambis
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 Nov 2024
In Conversation with Alex Williams
Alex Williams is a fellow CinefestOz ambassador and student of the mini series biopic having played more factual individuals than fictional characters in his lifetime as an Australian heartthrob. Alex’s ingenuity, creative curiosity and sheer intelligence has seen him wrangle the podcast world creating “They Might be the Giants,” the much loved and fan favourite deep diving podcast sharing the history, passion and love of football to the masses - so much so that the AFL took notice and awarded him a Media Award for it. The booth chat wanders through his acting process to his current challenges as a creator, voice actor and all round weapon, but it’s a great chat for those looking to garner some inspiration and excitement from a voice that we should all get used to hearing much more of.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Alex Williams
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Nov 2024
In Conversation with Travis Jeffery
Travis Jeffrey may just be Australia’s hardest working character actor. From country Victoria to the sound stages of Disney epics, Travis’ work ethic has seen him brush shoulders with some of the most elite filmmakers, actors and directors in the industry. In the CinefestOz podcast booth, Travis and Joel discuss auditioning for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, how acting in a Disney epic differs to a homegrown indie feature film and Travis’ creative journey til now. If you’re a fan of discovering more about an actor’s process, understanding the humility that sustains success at a high level and some quality banter - tune in.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Travis Jeffery
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Oct 2024
In Conversation with the team from Audrey
Audrey is primed to set the world on fire! The film was one of the four features vying for the coveted $100,000film prize this year at CinefestOz 2024 and the scale, madness, hilarity, sexuality, joy and brilliance of the film truly set it apart. It’s already sold out audiences internationally and will surely tickle more than just your fancy but your heartstrings too. In the booth for this episode is the humbly magnificent Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor and the sublimely charismatic Hannah Diviney to talk about the creation process, the onset antics that goes into creating a family wrapped in chaos onscreen and just how incredible it feels to go where no-one else dares. Trailblazers and a terrific conversation, enjoy!
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Hannah Diviney and Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Oct 2024
In Conversation with the team from Left Write Hook
For eight survivors of childhood sexual abuse, a ground breaking program turns into a journey of recovery, transformation and friendship. Left, Write, Hook is a life changing physical, mental and emotional 8 week writing and boxing program, it’s also a book and now it’s a stunning documentary from director Shannon Owen and creator Donna Lyon, who is also joined by participant Nikki in the CinefestOz podcast booth. We discuss the core of it’s creation, the journey from program to book to documentary and just how you capture a storyline that is unfolding before your very eyes. The strength and spirit of our guests is undeniable when they talk about the effect of their program on their lives and the documentary is nothing short of lifechanging too. Join us for a brilliant chat about teamwork, and balancing power and sensitivity to not only tell a story but craft a future others unknown for those who have survived. Trigger warning; to anyone who has experienced childhood sexual abuse and or is sensitive to sexual abuse, please be mindful of the topics and detail discussed.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring Shannon Owen, Donna Lyon and Nikki
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Oct 2024
In Conversation with the team from He Ain't Heavy
You need to see this film. Hands down one of Australia’s most exciting new directors, David Vincent-Smith has written and directed an absolute heart stomper. His deftness of touch through subtle semiotic storytelling and the brilliance of all cast and crew absolutely shines through in what is a truly unique film that covers two of the toughest topics to depict; family and addiction. In the booth joining David Vincent-Smith is producer Jess Parker and star Sam Corlett, to discuss the rehearsal process, making unique and sometimes ambitious calls in the face of what is the ‘norm’ to create a film that will surely find it’s legs on the international stage as one of Australia’s best indie film exports of 2024. The heart, bravery, authenticity and soul sings in every frame captured by Lewis Potts and the sound design is utterly brilliant. A film not to be missed and a process to be truly celebrated. Trigger warning; for anyone currently dealing with addiction or addiction within the family, please take care with some elements of this conversation.
Hosted and Produced by Joel Jackson
Starring David Vincent-Smith, Sam Corlett and Jess Parker
Recorded at CinefestOZ 2024
CinefestOZ is supported by Supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries through funding from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. Our Premium Festival Partners are City of Busselton and Screenwest, and we acknowledge strong support from Screen Australia, and Lotterywest.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Inside a recent episode
In Conversation with the team from Dusty
Published 10 Dec 2024 · Transcript excerpt
[…] Yeah. To me, Dusty was kind of an exploration of the toxic side of grief. You know, I ran up on a cattle farm and I think it's very human, you know, none of us were ever taught to deal with grief. And, you know, when I see grief in films, I've never really seen the kind of grief that I went through. […]
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
