Of An Age actor Elias Anton (Kol), producer Kristina Ceyton, writer and director Goran Stolevski and Thom Green (Adam) following their win at the 2022 CinefestOZ. Photo by Courtney McAllister

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Goran Stolevski’s superb feature film Of An Age has won Australia’s richest annual $100,000 Film Prize at this year’s CinefestOZ.

Of An Age filmmakers were presented the prize by WA Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Roger Cook at the prestigious Closing Night Gala in Busselton tonight following selection by a panel of industry experts.

Of An Age beat out Gracie Otto and Krew Boylan’s Seriously Red, Matt Nable’s Transfusion and Jub Clerc’s Sweet for the lucrative award as selected by the CinefestOZ Film Prize Jury comprising Chair Richard Roxburgh, Adam Piron, Emma Booth, Melissa Kelly, Meyne Wyatt and Tony Ayres

Jury Chair Richard Roxburgh spoke about the decision on behalf of the Jury saying, “We were deeply moved by this film. It haunted us, and it was an experience that touched us all on a personal level.

“The director pushed formal boundaries, rooting their film in a very personal perspective, that balanced its specificity and crafted a world that made its story a universal one. After intense deliberation, we had to make an incredibly difficult decision after reflecting on all of the incredible films in the competition.“

Written and directed by Goran Stolevski and produced by Kristina Ceyton and Samantha Jennings, and starring Elias Anton, Thom Green and Hattie Hook, Of An Age is set in the Summer of 1999 when an unexpected and intense twenty-four-hour romance blossoms between a seventeen-year-old Serbian ballroom dancer and their best friend’s older brother. A decade later the pair meet for a bittersweet reunion.

“It’s been such a beautiful experience and receiving this award on top of just having been able to be part of the festival is just incredible,” said Stolevski.

Richard Roxburgh was also recognised at the evening’s Gala for outstanding contribution to the Australian film industry and named the CinefestOZ 2022 Screen Legend, with the Hon David Templeman, Minister for Culture and the Arts, presenting the award.

The Screen Legend is recognised for playing a valuable role in supporting excellence in Australian filmmaking, which CinefestOZ proudly showcases through a variety of film events and screenings across Western Australia’s South West region over the six-day festival.

“I am so honoured to receive this award and support this important festival that champions Australian films, stories and filmmakers,” said Roxburgh.