Program Line-up announced!

The moment has arrived to dive into the full Made in the West 2025 program, and honestly, we couldn't be more excited to share what we've got cooking for you this summer!

We've announced our new festival format, revealed the 2025 Official Selection, and opened tickets – now it's time to show you exactly how we've curated this year's incredible line-up of Western Sydney short films into an unforgettable three-month celebration of local storytelling.

Whether you're joining us at our Opening Night Gala, catching one of our eight Marathon Summer Sessions across the region, streaming the Online Festival from your couch, or closing out the season with us at The Joan – there's something here for every film lover, and we're bringing it all to a screen near you.

We have such an exciting season of films and events – check out the Program page for a full list of what’s on and links to book your tickets.

Opening Night Gala

Let's start where the magic begins: our Opening Night Gala on Saturday 22 November at Event Cinemas Liverpool.

This is Western Sydney's biggest night of film, and it's where we roll out the red carpet for hundreds of local filmmakers, cast and crew to celebrate their incredible work on the big screen.

It's glamorous, it's emotional, it's absolutely electric – and you need to be there!

The night starts with red carpet entry from 6pm; dress your best and be prepared to get snapped by our photographers! Official Selection finalists are invited to join us for a celebratory drink at the VIP Meet & Greet with Western Sydney VIPs, festival alumni and industry guests. Then at 7:30pm everyone settles into the V-Max cinema for an exciting line-up of 14 short films made right here in Western Sydney, with an intermission at 9pm where we will be interviewing filmmakers on the red carpet.

You'll see films including A Blacktown Ballad, Always: Sonic Mantra, Azadi, De-Comm, Hold, I Don't Wanna: Sarah Jane & The Noise, No Right Turn, Oi, The Colour of Black, Tiger Cop: Project A, Waves, Wolf, Wombo and Yandel'mawa.

Specially selected to kick off the festival season with a bang, you can expect these films to pack a punch – jam-packed with high energy and maximum entertainment for our film-loving audience.

Stick around after the screening for our Jury Awards Presentation at 11pm, where we'll crown the winners of Best in the West, Best Student Film, Best Music Video and the highly coveted Audience Choice Award.

Plus, there'll be nine individual filmmaker awards handed out to celebrate the talented cast and crew behind these brilliant films along the way.

General Admission is FREE, VIP Supporter tickets are $20, and VIP Exclusive tickets are $100 (with sparkling on arrival, unlimited popcorn and soft drinks, plus access to the pre-show Meet & Greet) - check out our ticket blog for all the relevant info you need. Please note this event is recommended for 18+ audiences.

Marathon Summer Sessions

Now here's where things get really exciting – and totally different from anything we've done before.

We've curated eight different 2-hour movie marathon sessions, each with its own vibe and flavour, screening across Western Sydney throughout summer.

We've put together sessions that take you on a journey, whether you're after explosive action, unsettling suspense, emotional depth, or pure fun.

Check out the full program here.

Truth & Illusion screens in Liverpool, Bankstown and Campbelltown, and explores stories where belief and reality collide, featuring films like The Colour of Black, Rage Bait, No Right Turn, Wombo, I Spy Myself and Hold.

In Between Worlds screens in Bankstown and Liverpool, and takes you across emotional, cultural and mythic boundaries with Oi, Azadi, Yandel'mawa, Tamah, I Don't Wanna: Sarah Jane & The Noise and Olan, Earthbound.

Locked & Loaded screens in Liverpool and Campbelltown, and delivers explosive action and high-pressure power plays through Wolf, Fasten Your Belts: Deo, De-Comm, Fun & Games, Duplicity, A Blacktown Ballad and Tiger Cop: Project A.

Thrills & Chills screens in Campbelltown and Liverpool, and pulls you into suspense and fear with Riverberi, Destination Sophie, Contagious, Yandel'mawa, Animus and Wombo.

Mind Over Matter screens in Liverpool and Parramatta, and confronts identity and personal responsibility with No Right Turn, Passion Pop, Agoge, Egg Law, River Town People and Waves.

Deep Cuts screens in Parramatta and Liverpool, and hits you right in the feels with Olan, Earthbound, Silent Currents, The Colour of Black, The Impossible Decision, A Blacktown Ballad, Oi and I Don't Wanna: Sarah Jane & The Noise.

Real World Stories screens in Liverpool and Bankstown, and showcases documentaries and lived experiences through Yandel'mawa, Ghost Town Cricket, Stone Lions, Liquid Lions, Odd One Out and River Town People.

Fun Size Shorts screens in Liverpool, and is a fast-binge sampler packed with energy and variety, featuring I Don't Wanna: Sarah Jane & The Noise, Egg Law, Stone Lions, Liquid Lions, Wander, Waves, Always: Sonic Mantra, Fun & Games, Wolf, Fasten Your Belts: Deo, Wombo, The Teapot Troopers and Tiger Cop: Project A.

These sessions are screening at Event Cinemas Campbelltown on Wednesdays ($15), Arts & Cultural Exchange Parramatta on Fridays ($10), Bankstown Arts Centre on Saturdays ($10), and Event Cinemas Liverpool on Sundays ($10).

We've partnered with some incredible venues across our region, and each screening includes time to meet the filmmakers and festival team over bevvies and chat about what you've just watched.

At the end of each marathon session, you'll cast your vote for the People's Choice Award and help decide who takes home the $3,500 camera equipment prize package, thanks to Panavision! Please note most sessions are recommended for mature audiences.

The 2025 Program page covers what’s screening where and when; it’s your one-stop-shop when it comes to planning you festival experience.

Online and On-Demand

Since 2020, our MEGA Movie Marathon has been connecting Western Sydney stories with audiences around the globe, and this year is no different.

The MEGA Movie Marathon streams from Monday 1 December 2025 until Saturday 28 February 2026 – that's three glorious months to watch, rewatch, and show your family and friends just how talented we are out West.

It's perfect for anyone who can't make it to Opening Night, for long-distance supporters, or for anyone who wants to host their own film night from the comfort of home.

You'll get a marathon line-up of 16 short films, including A Blacktown Ballad, Azadi, Destination Sophie, Egg Law, Hold, I Spy Myself, Oi, Olan, Earthbound, Rage Bait, Stone Lions, Liquid Lions, The Colour of Black, Tiger Cop: Project A, Waves, Wolf, Wombo and Yandel'mawa. Plus, we're including red carpet highlights from Opening Night and interviews with the filmmakers.

The full 3-hour MEGA Movie Marathon experience is $20, or you can purchase any one of our eight Marathon Summer Sessions for $10 each. All online viewers will also cast their vote for the People's Choice Award!

Grab your popcorn and settle in wherever you are – by the pool, on the patio, in your lounge room – because we've got a fantastic line-up waiting for you.

Closing Night Party

After three months of celebrating Western Sydney's finest filmmakers, we're closing out the festival in spectacular fashion with our Closing Night Party at The Joan in Penrith on Saturday 28 February.

This is where we announce the winners of our Genre Awards and the new Next Generation awards, plus the hotly contested People's Choice Award as voted by our global online audience and in-person attendees throughout the season. With your help, we'll be crowning your favourite film and sending them home with that $3,500 prize package from Panavision!

You can expect to see some of the season's award-winning films and celebrate with the filmmaking community that made it all happen. General Admission tickets are $15, and VIP tickets are $25 (with access to the best seats and sparkling on arrival). Please note this event is recommended for 18+ audiences.

Tickets for Closing Night will open in January, so keep an eye out for announcements! 

With Opening Night glamour, eight curated Marathon Summer Sessions across six venues, three months of online streaming, and a spectacular Closing Night celebration, the 2025 festival truly is larger, longer and more local than ever before.

We're bringing Western Sydney stories to Western Sydney screens like never before, and we couldn't do it without the incredible support of our venue partners Event Cinemas Liverpool, Event Cinemas Campbelltown, Bankstown Arts Centre, The Joan Penrith, Arts & Cultural Exchange Parramatta and The Street University in Liverpool.

We also extend our deepest thanks to our generous sponsors and partners who make all of this possible. With more than $32,000 worth of prizes on offer this year, there's never been a better time to be part of the Western Sydney film community!

So whether you're joining us for one session or the entire summer, we can't wait to share these incredible films with you and celebrate the brilliant filmmakers who made them.

Head on over to the 2025 Program page to start planning your festival.