Natalie Abbott in The Deb
Communities across regional Western Australia will soon enjoy greater access to Australian films and filmmaking experiences through CinefestOZ On the Road, a first-of-its-kind initiative in WA launched today.
On the Road will deliver free film screenings and creative education opportunities, helping bridge the gap in regional access to screen culture and engagement with the creative industries.
CinefestOZ CEO Cassandra Jordan said the program reflects the organisation’s commitment to inclusivity and regional engagement.
“We believe that living in regional WA shouldn’t mean having less access to new Australian stories, cinematic experiences or screen education,” Ms Jordan said.
“On the Road is about connecting communities, inspiring creativity and ensuring regional audiences can share the magic of Australian film.”
The program will deliver high-quality free screenings of Australian feature films and award-winning short films in locations without traditional cinema facilities. The following day, local schools will take part in Cinesnaps, the successful education program that CinefestOZ has run for 14 years, designed to spark creativity and inspire the next generation of storytellers.
The inaugural On the Road 2026 program features a vibrant and family-friendly line-up, including new musical comedy, The Deb, from actress and director Rebel Wilson; family favourite Kangaroo; toe-tapping documentary Live It Up, celebrating the iconic 1980s band Mental As Anything; plus a curated selection of Australia’s best short films, including six shot in WA.
On The Road will visit six regional centres across May and June in 2026 and, with 4000 people expected to participate in the program in its first year, plans are already underway to engage additional regional communities in the future.
Tour info and bookings
Mount Barker: The Deb
Wednesday, 6 May 2026
Katanning: The Deb
Friday, 8 May 2026
Bridgetown: Short FIlm Set
Wednesday, 20 May 2026
Manjimup: The Deb
Friday, 22 May 2026
Northam: The Deb
Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Narrogin: Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story
Friday, 5 June 2026
About the films:
The Deb
Rebel Wilson’s hotly anticipated directorial debut, The Deb, is an original musical comedy about two teenage cousins who dig deep to find self-acceptance and a date to the Debutante Ball in a small country town in Australia. Starring Rebel Wilson, Shane Jacobson, Tia Morice, Natalie Abbott and Charlotte MacInnes, The Deb is written by Hannah Reilly, Meg Washington, and Rebel Wilson and produced by David Jowsey, Greer Simpkin, Rebel Wilson, Len Blavatnik, Gregor Cameron, and Amanda Ghost.
Live It Up: The Mental As Anything Story
Live It Up celebrates Mental As Anything – an art-school band whose warmth, wit and irreverent spirit captured Australian suburban life and left an enduring cultural legacy. Starring Reg Mombassa, Peter O’Doherty and Martin Plaza, Liv It Up is written by Paul Clarke, Toby Creswell, and Jenny Hicks and produced by Susanna Morrison and Carolina Sorensen.
Kangaroo
Kangaroo is a heart-warming family comedy about ex-TV personality, Chris Masterman, who becomes stranded in a town outside of Alice Springs. There, he teams up with 12 year old Indigenous girl Charlie. The pair form an unlikely friendship, working together to rescue and rehabilitate orphaned joeys, an endeavour that proves to be life changing. Starring Ryan Corr, Lily Whiteley, Deborah Mailman, Wayne Blair, Brooke Satchwell, and Ernie Dingo, Kangaroo is directed by Kate Woods, written by Harry Cripps and produced by Rachel Clements.
Short Film Set
Good Neighbour; Mia (WA)
Cordelia Daughter of the Sea
Granny Grommets (WA)
Famished
Mr Wonderful (WA)
She Kinda Liked the Beach (WA)
No Feedback
Mr Kimberley (WA)
Bird Drone (WA) Read about the making of Bird Drone here.
Free tickets for the film sessions can be booked here.
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