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FESTIVAL AWARDS & PRIZES

MADE IN THE WEST FILM FESTIVAL PRIZES

In 2025, we are awarding a total prize pool valued at over $32,000 to local filmmakers this year, thanks to the generosity of our wonderful Sponsors & Partners. 

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We love finding practical prizes that are both valuable and helpful for local indie and student filmmakers as they dive into their next film projects and creative ventures. This year's prizes certainly do not disappoint!! 

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Our JURY AWARDS will be announced on Opening Night at Event Cinemas Liverpool on Saturday 22 November. These include our major trophy awards, individual category discipline awards plus the highly coveted Audience Choice Award voted by filmmakers on the night.

 

Our PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS are decided by viewers across Sydney and around the world throughout our Marathon Summer season, including online and pop-up IRL events, and will be announced at our Closing Night Party on Saturday 28 February. These awards include our Film Genre and Next Gen awards, plus the top honour of the season, the 2025 People's Choice Award.

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Who will win the Audience Choice Award on Opening Night? 

Who will win the People's Choice Award on Closing Night?

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We can't wait to find out! Good luck everyone. 

JURY AWARDS

BEST IN THE WEST

(open to INDIE filmmakers only) as voted by the judges.  Winner receives:
 

  • One day studio hire in the huge TV Studio 4 with adjacent green room & kitchen, thanks to Sydney Prop Specialists (valued at $1100)

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  • Sound mastering and mixing package for your next short film, thanks to Million Masters (valued at $1000)

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  • One placement to attend a SPA Business Essentials 2-day online course over the next 12 months (held every quarter), thanks to Screen Producers Australia (valued at $660)

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  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions

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RUNNER UP

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  • Foley package including sound effects and atmosphere for your next short film, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions (valued at $1000)
     

  • One year Associate membership with Screen Producers Australia (valued at $270)
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BEST STUDENT FILM

(open to STUDENT filmmakers only) as voted by the judges.  Winner receives:
 

  • A Script and Producer Consultation with Luke Agius, thanks to Auteura (valued at $1000)
     

  • Six-inch FEELWORLD S55 V2 5.5 inch camera DSLR field monitor, thanks to Opening Act Films (valued at $250)
     

  • Clapper Board / Sync Slate, thanks to Made in the West Creative (valued at $50)

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  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions​​

RUNNER UP

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  • One-year Screen Mentorship package with festival judge Peter Millynn, including online script consultation and 2-3 follow up sessions to guide you from concept to completion.
     

  • A Producer Consultation with Matthew C. Vella, thanks to Vellamatt Entertainment (valued at $1000)
     

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BEST  MUSIC VIDEO

(open to STUDENT and INDIE music videos) as voted by the judges.  Winner receives:

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  • Sound mastering and mixing package for your next song or music video, thanks to Million Masters (valued at $1300)
     

  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions

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RUNNER UP

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD

(open to ALL filmmakers screening on Opening Night) as voted by YOU on Opening Night.  Winner receives:

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  • A four day DOP package from Luke Walker Productions to shoot your next short film project or music video, with equipment, lighting and expertise included (valued at $6000)
     

  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions.

Each major award winner will also take home one of our spectacular crystal trophies!

 

These gorgeous pieces are some of the sexiest film trophies you’ve ever seen and they’ll make a fabulous addition to your collection.

BEST DIRECTOR

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:
 

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)
     

  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions.

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BEST SCREENPLAY

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:
 

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

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BEST EDITOR

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:

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  • One year Associate membership with Australian Screen Editors, providing access to online events, discounts and job board (valued at $100)

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

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BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

BEST SOUND DESIGN

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:
 

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

BEST ORIGINAL MUSIC SCORE

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

BEST LEAD ACTOR

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

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  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions

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BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

(open to ALL filmmakers including student and indie) as voted by our judges. Winner receives:

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  • Premium Actors & Models Profile Photography Package with up to 15 prints included, thanks to Irierootsini Photography (valued at $400)​​​

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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

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PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARDS

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This year the ENTIRE official selection of films will feature in the 2025 MEGA Movie Marathon.

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You can view the full set of films ONLINE and ON DEMAND throughout the Australian summer season, from 1 December 2025 through to 28 February 2026.

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Or join us IRL at one of our Marathon Summer sessions with pop-up networking events in Liverpool, Bankstown, Campbelltown or Parramatta. 

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ALL Marathon viewers (IRL and online) will be invited to cast a vote for the final suite of awards and prizes. YOUR vote will decide who takes home our popular awards!

 

Tune in for a jam-packed presentation featuring all of this year's festival films, plus highlights from the red carpet and interviews with local filmmakers.

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At the end of our Marathon season, you're invited to join us at The Joan in Penrith where wer will announce the winners of our popular awards and prizes! 

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2025 PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

(open to ALL filmmakers included in the online MEGA Movie Marathon) as voted by YOU.  The winner receives:​
 

  • A camera equipment rental package and production support thanks to Panavision (valued at $3500)
     

  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions​

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FILM GENRE AWARDS

(open to ALL filmmakers including student, indie and music video) as voted by YOU our online audience.

BEST HORROR FILM
BEST COMEDY FILM
BEST DRAMA
BEST SCI FI
BEST THRILLER
BEST DOCUMENTARY

Each winner receives:
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  • Free access for 12 months to Dingoo​ to stream groundbreaking short films (valued at $80)

NEXT GENERATION AWARDS

(open to ALL filmmakers including student, indie and music video) as selected by the team at Made in the West Creative. These NEW awards have been created to recognise and elevate filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds and amplify their work within our film industry.
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OUTSTANDING FEMALE FILMMAKER AWARD

Recognising one female-identifying filmmaker or filmmaking team whose work demonstrates exceptional creative vision and leadership, inspiring greater representation for women in the screen industry. Winner receives:

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  • One year membership with Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NSW and one-on-one mentorship from a screen industry professional, offering business advice, networks and support, thanks to Women in Film & Television​​​

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  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions​

RISING STAR AWARD

​Recognising one filmmaker or filmmaking team whose work is demonstrating emerging excellence and showing clear potential for a sustainable career in the screen arts. Winner receives:​

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  • One GROW mentorship package including four meetings with a screen industry specialist to help you plan for and build your creative practice or business, thanks to Creative Plus Business (valued at $1400)

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  • A bespoke 'Go Global' six-month mentorship package including curated monthly one-on-one Zoom meetings with Australians in Film executives, alumni, and leading industry professionals — tailored to help you level up and expand your creative network (valued at $1500)

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  • An invitation to join Roscoe on The Pagey Train podcast in 2026, thanks to Still Searchin' Productions

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​We'd like to say a HUGE thank you to this year's list of sponsors for their generous contributions to the festival and for helping us highlight the amazing talent that Western Sydney's film scene has to offer!

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