Behind the Lens: Panavision Workshops coming this May
- Made in the West Film Festival
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
We’re excited to announce a professional development initiative for filmmakers, creatives and cinematographers, with the launch of the Behind the Lens workshop program on Saturday 16 May at Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) Parramatta.
Presented in partnership with Panavision, Australian Cinematographers Society and ACE Parramatta, the workshops are designed to support emerging and mid-career screen creatives looking to deepen their understanding of cinematic storytelling, optics and professional camera workflows.
We’re especially pleased to be collaborating with Panavision on this new project following their support of the 2025 Made in the West Film Festival season.
Last year, Panavision came on board as sponsor of our People’s Choice Award, which was awarded to Western Sydney filmmaker Herbert Leota for his impactful short film, A Blacktown Ballad.
We’re grateful for their ongoing investment in emerging creatives and excited to continue building opportunities for our community together!
Led by Nic Godoy, National Sales and Marketing Manager at Panavision Australia, these workshop sessions draw on more than 26 years of industry experience. With live cameras and a range of Panavision lenses on stage, Nic will demonstrate how different optics influence perspective, depth and atmosphere, and how these creative choices shape the storytelling experience on screen.
The workshops will also feature a special case study presentation from accomplished cinematographer Meg White ACS, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the collaborative process from pre-production through to final delivery on a feature film or television series.
Session One: For Directors & Creatives
11:30am – 1:30pm
The morning workshop explores the creative foundations of optics, visual storytelling and film language. Participants will look at crafting visual treatments, understanding lens characteristics, developing effective testing practices, and strengthening communication between Directors, Cinematographers and Heads of Department.
This session is ideal for Directors, Producers, Writers and Creatives wanting to better understand how visual choices support story, tone and audience experience.
Networking Lunch
1:30pm – 2:30pm
All attendees are invited to stay for a light lunch and relaxed networking opportunity between sessions.
Whether you’re attending one workshop or both, the lunch break is designed as a space to meet collaborators, connect with industry professionals and chat with fellow filmmakers from across Western Sydney and beyond.
Session Two: Advanced Technical Training
2:30pm – 4:30pm
The afternoon workshop is tailored for Cinematographers, Camera Assistants, post-production professionals and those working in advanced technical roles.
The session includes an in-depth breakdown of spherical lenses, anamorphic lenses, Large Format and Super 35 workflows, lens modification and customisation trends, and evolving cinematography techniques and workflows.
Participants will gain practical insights into the technical craft behind modern screen production, with opportunities to engage directly with professional-grade Panavision equipment and demonstrations.
What to Expect
The Behind the Lens workshops are designed to be welcoming, practical and hands-on. Whether you’re early in your filmmaking journey or already working professionally, the sessions aim to bridge creative and technical knowledge in an accessible way.
Attendees can expect live demonstrations, industry insights and case studies, practical filmmaking knowledge, networking opportunities, and direct access to experienced industry professionals in a collaborative learning environment.
Tickets
Tickets are $15 per workshop, and attendees are welcome to book one session or both.
Spaces are limited and bookings are essential.
We’d like to thank Panavision, the Australian Cinematographers Society, ACE Parramatta and Screen NSW for supporting this initiative and helping create more opportunities for Western Sydney filmmakers to learn, connect and grow their practice.