Mark Coles Smith. Photo by Michael Torres.

CinefestOZ Broome – Western Australia’s First Nations Film Festival – today announced that beloved Australian actor and proud Nyikina man Mark Coles Smith as Ambassador for the inaugural festival presented by Goolarri Media, which kicks off next week 3-6 November in Broome in WA’s beautiful Kimberley region.

Fresh from roles in ABC drama Savage River and soon to be released First Nations film Sweet As, which screens at CinefestOZ Broome, Coles Smith will join local and national Indigenous talent at the four-day event to be held at iconic Broome locations, including under the stars at Sun Pictures – the world’s oldest operating picture garden.

A proud Nyikina man with a gift for storytelling, Mark grew up on the Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) and began working at a young age as an actor in Broome. In the time since he has gone on to forge an incredible career in film, television, music and stage. With numerous awards and nominations under his belt and an incredible body of work already behind him, Mark has continued to grow and challenge himself as an artist and creative, earning industry attention as the wild card from the west, most recently with his breakout performance as the young Jay Swan in the critically acclaimed ABC series Mystery Road: Origin.

Coles Smith said he was honoured to become an Ambassador for the festival that champions the importance of First Nations stories and culture on film.

“It’s a real joy to be able to support a festival in my hometown that celebrates First Nations filmmaking,” he said.

“My earliest memories of cinema were of going to Sun Pictures and sitting under the stars with my choc bomb, but this time around I’m excited we’ll get to hear from the incredible creatives and filmmakers who’ve brought the films we’ll see at the festival to life.”

“We’re delighted that Mark, a stand-out talent, is giving his time and knowledge to help grow our First Nations Film Festival in Broome,” said CinefestOZ Chair Margaret Buswell.

“We’re also fortunate to have many other talented Indigenous creatives share their filmmaking knowledge at events throughout the festival, such as writer/director Jub Clerc – who’ll present her first feature film Sweet As – an extraordinary coming-of-age story that is wowing audiences on the festival circuit – and producer and director Taryne Laffar.”

Celebrating First Nations stories and talent from across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, CinefestOZ Broome will showcase three uniquely different feature films by First Nations talent – Loveland, We Are Still Here and Sweet As– and include a short film program, In Conversation dining events as well as free community, industry and schools programs.

Program highlights include:

Thursday 3 November

• Welcome to Country at Nyamba Buru Yawuru. A special welcome by Yawuru Elders to the visiting First Nations film-makers, festival guests, pass-holders and community followed by a delicious afternoon tea
• Opening Night: Feature Film Screening – Loveland at Sun Pictures
• Opening Night After Party at Goolarri Media’s Gimme Gimme Bar

Friday 4 November 

• Free Community Day – engage with a range of Indigenous short films, filmmakers and the wider community; also enjoy entertainment and music
• Industry Program Session – inspiring talks, Q & A sessions and networking opportunities with local and visiting filmmakers to the region.
• Did’jun  First Nation Short film set PLUS Afternoon Tea and Filmmaker Q&A at the Gimme Gimme Bar. Films include: Jarli, Wirnitj, Sunnies, The Killing of the Bilkin Brothers, My Name is Mudju and The Lost Crystals of Jessica’s Room
• Feature Film Screening: We Are Still Here at Sun Pictures
• Late Night After Party at Pearl Luggers (Willie Creek Pearls )

Saturday 5 November

• Free Community Day – engage with a range of Indigenous short films, filmmakers and the wider community; also enjoy entertainment and music
• Filmmakers In Conversation Lunch: We Are Still Here at Wild Flower Broome. Hear from director of the film’s animation story – Danielle MacLean- while enjoying delicious food and ocean views.
• Feature Film Screening: Sweet As Gala Night at Sun Pictures.  Enjoy local performers, a cocktail style function with drinks and canapés and a filmmaker introduction by director Jub Clerc before the screening kicks off.
• Gala Night After Party – after the screening of Sweet As, join the celebrations at the Gimme Bar including entertainment by the Struggling Kings

Sunday 6 November 

• Free Community Screenings: Our Law & Did’jun First Nation Shortsretrospective at the Gimme Gimme Bar. Following the screening of Our Law is an insightful Q&A with filmmaker Taryne Laffar. Films include: On My Father’s Country, Aboriginal Warrior, Survivors of Wadjemup, Ties That Bind, Shed and Nulla Nulla
• Filmmakers In-Conversation Lunch: Sweet As at the Kimberley Sands.Hear from writer/ director Jub Clerc and producer Liz Kearney over a scrumptious Sunday brunch

Tickets are available at  www.cinefestoz.com. Download the official CinefestOZ app to search session times, book tickets and build your calendar of events during the festival. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and subscribe to the CinefestOZ newsletter online.