We’re just FOUR weeks away from the 2022 festival and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!
Made in the West Film Festival returns to Event Cinemas in Liverpool on Saturday 26 November and we’ll be rolling out the red carpet for Western Sydney filmmakers and local film fans for one huge night of short films.
The 2022 line-up is going to be fantastic!! As always, this year’s films are a surprising mix* of heart-wrenching drama, snort-inducing comedy, freakish horror, web series episodes and documentary shorts, plus a great list of locally produced music videos.
*Before we forget, let us give you our usual reminder that Made in the West is an R18+ event. Many of the films will contain mature content and this means that all of the usual things (including L,S,A,D,V, N) will probably (definitely) make an appearance at some point throughout the show. Sorry kids, this one’s for the grown-ups only!
So… What happens next?
JUDGING IS UNDERWAY: Our judges are doing all the heavy lifting for us right now! We’re so impressed with the panel of judges we’ve put together this year -- all ten of our judges are amazing filmmakers themselves and we think they are some of the success stories of the Western Sydney film industry. We know they are going to enjoy this year’s films!
OFFICIAL SELECTION ANNOUNCEMENT: We're announcing the 2022 finalists next week! We’re looking forward to screening a SUPER line-up of films in this year's official selection and we can’t wait to celebrate another year of #WesternSydneyFilm with audiences in-person at Event Cinemas Liverpool and then online and on demand over the summer!
TICKET RESERVATIONS OPEN: Next week! Tickets are FREE and will fly out the door pretty quickly, so please ensure your guests can attend before you reserve them a seat, so we don't have heaps of disappointed folks missing out. First dibs on tickets will go to the 50 awesome filmmakers who entered a film in the festival this year. We’re going to give them access to tickets ahead of the rush!
If you’re feeling fancy, there will be additional options to purchase a ‘Supporter’ ticket with reserved seating, or an ‘Exclusive VIP’ ticket which includes reserved seating, plus champagne on arrival, a pre-festival meet & greet with the filmmakers, plus popcorn and soft drinks all night! All paid tickets are optional only, and all contributions go towards our event costs.
AWARD NOMINATIONS: We’ll announce the nominees for our individual category awards in two weeks, after we’ve tallied the votes from our judges. This year’s filmmakers will go home with a swag of filmmaker prizes and all the accolades that come with winning the award for Best Director, Screenplay, Cinematographer, Editor, Production Design, Sound Design, Original Score, and Acting in a Lead or Supporting Role at Made in the West.
ONLINE FESTIVAL LAUNCH: If you live out of town or can't make it to the festival this year, our online festival is perfect for you! Find out all the details on Friday 11 November when we launch our new online festival site and then plan your big night IN on the couch this summer. Online Festival attendees can view the entire line-up of festival films, plus red carpet highlights and interviews with filmmakers. Cast your vote for NEW genre awards and your festival favourite, the People’s Choice Award!
RED CARPET: Join us at Event Cinemas Liverpool on Saturday 26 November when we roll out the red carpet to celebrate another year of Western Sydney films. Gather your cast & crew, don your best frock and get ready to be snapped by our festival photographers!
Then, settle in for a fun night of short films and awards in our 3-storey Vmax cinema with a live MC, comfy leather arm chairs, cocktails, friends, and mingling with all the best folks and filmmakers from the Western Sydney film scene.
FESTIVAL MERCHANDISE: Did you hear? We’ve got festival merch! If you’re keen to support the festival and also wear your #westie status with pride, please think about making a purchase! We’ll have a few limited edition items available at the festival too, so grab something great for yourself, or spread the love in someone’s Chrissy stocking. All items are custom made and carbon neutral, so you can #represent knowing you’re doing your bit for the planet AND your favourite local festival.
TROPHIES & AWARDS: The judges’ votes determine the winners of our most prestigious trophies for ‘Best in the West’ (for indie films), ‘Best Music Video’ and ‘Best Student Film’ trophies, plus their cumulative nominations also determine the winners of our individual category awards, but the final judge on the night is YOU! After all, why should we let the judges have all the fun??
At the end of the night, we’ll call on all cinema attendees to cast a vote for their favourite film! Your vote will determine the winner of our final trophy, the highly coveted Audience Choice Award.
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT: Parking is FREE after 6pm at the cinema and seeing as we know that the cocktails will be flowing (espresso martinis, anyone?), then why not stay (or kick on!) at Quest Liverpool Serviced Apartments – No worrying about the last train home, or spending $$$ on an uber. How good would that be!? You’re welcome, friends.
There you have it! What an exciting month we have ahead of us!!
We are looking forward to hosting you soon at the 11th annual Made in the West Film Festival.