Made in the West returns to Liverpool in November
- May 31
- 5 min read
The countdown can officially begin! We are over the moon to announce that Made in the West Film Festival is back for its 14th annual celebration of local stories, and this year’s big event will be held on Saturday 22 November 2025 at Event Cinemas Liverpool.
That’s right - you had better mark your calendars, dog-ear your diary and get your reminders set, because the iconic red carpet, buzzing atmosphere and legendary local line-up that IS #MadeintheWest will be returning to Liverpool for another incredible night of Western Sydney storytelling.
Whether you’re a returning guest, a curious newcomer, or a filmmaker with your sights set on the big screen, now’s the time to lock it in!
As always, tickets to attend are FREE, because we want to see everyone coming out to support locally made films - and we know you’ll want to bring your friends, family, cast and crew for a night that you’re all sure to remember.
We’re also excited to welcome back our major supporters for 2025, including our long-time venue partner Event Cinemas Liverpool and Western Sydney University, both of whom have played an instrumental role in helping the festival grow.
Western Sydney University has once again thrown their support behind Made in the West, showing a deep commitment to empowering local talent, driving social equity, and championing Western Sydney’s cultural identity. As the number one university globally for their work towards the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, they’re showing us what it means to invest in community-led creative futures!
Of course, what would Made in the West be without our massive V-Max cinema screen? Towering three-storeys high, with a state-of-the-art surround sound system, plush leather chairs and its own cocktail bar, the V-Max at Event Cinemas Liverpool is the ultimate venue to showcase the best of Western Sydney short films.
We must also give special thanks to Screen NSW, who are proudly supporting this year’s festival through the Opening Night Event Fund, alongside 22 other community festivals across the state.
Submissions are now open, so if you’ve made a short film featuring cast, crew or locations from Western Sydney, we want to hear from you! Whether you’ve shot your debut short or you’ve just wrapped your latest masterpiece, we’re calling on filmmakers from across the region to send in their work and be part of this epic celebration of local screen talent.
Every year we’re blown away by the quality, creativity and energy that fills the cinema. From compelling dramas and raw documentaries to weird, wild and wonderful comedies, horror flicks and genre mash-ups, we know (and love!) that the diversity of stories and voices in Western Sydney is what makes this festival so special.
In case you missed it, we’re now accepting short form projects up to 30 minutes in duration!
We're excited to expand this year's entry criteria to include your longer works because we know that so many of you have been building up your repertoires and working on longer form content – and we want to grow alongside you!
Plus, after more than a decade of collaborating with local artists and hosting a community-first event, we have formed Made in the West Creative – Western Sydney’s premier creative agency – which means we now have even more opportunities to screen films!
We often work with local organisations to host additional (paid) screening and distribution opportunities. We can also arrange for private screenings and premieres at our cinema venue!
As filmmakers ourselves, we are committed to making sure filmmakers keep ownership (and profits) for your film, so we will never ask you to hand over the rights to your film... but we do want to get more eyes onto it!
At Made in the West we have always been about empowering Western Sydney filmmakers to tell their own stories on their own terms, and now, as we move into our next era of growth, we are working toward creating more sustainable industry opportunities for the filmmaking community.
We believe Western Sydney storytellers deserve a bigger platform, greater recognition, and more access to paid work in the screen industry. Made in the West CREATIVE is making that happen!
Driven towards social impact, our aim is to create tangible creative opportunities for local filmmakers that bridge the gap between grassroots indie filmmaking and professional paid industry work. We see ourselves actively reshaping perceptions of Western Sydney, advocating for diversity on screens and behind the scenes on crew, and fostering a culture where local talent can thrive without needing to leave our local community.
Now we know that is a BOLD intention but we mean business!
And, if the last 14 years are anything to go by, we know that we have the support of our community right beside us as we march on into the future, redefining the indie filmmaking culture in Australia and building a new industry around us all.
So come and join us this year at the festival!
SAVE THE DATE for Saturday 22 November as Western Sydney filmmakers will walk the red carpet on Opening Night, kicking off our biggest ever #SummerOfFilm featuring none other than the talented filmmakers of the West.
And if you haven’t been to Made in the West before, here is a little of what you can expect:
A true celebration of local talent: We’re proud to spotlight the incredible work of emerging and established filmmakers from Western Sydney. Whether you’re behind the camera or in front of it, this is your chance to shine - and to be recognised for your craft.
Authentic, diverse stories: At Made in the West, we don’t just showcase films - we celebrate the people who make them. From stories rooted in lived experience to bold experiments in form and genre, the festival reflects the real, vibrant, ever-evolving identity of our region.
Community and connection: Filmmakers, students, actors, producers, editors, writers, audience members – you name it, we all come together for one epic night. You’ll have the chance to network like never before, meet your next collaborators, discover new voices, and connect with the local creative scene.
Audience power: Our audience awards are a highlight of the night - and your vote can make all the difference! Cheer loud, vote proud, and help your favourite films take home the glory of our coveted and hugely prized Audience Choice Award.
Recognition and opportunity: In addition to screening their work in a full-scale cinema, finalists will be in the running for a range of awards including Best in the West, Best Student Film, and the Audience Choice Award, along with other individual award categories announced throughout the night.
Support for the local industry: By turning up and tuning in, you’re helping to build a stronger, more visible and more vibrant Western Sydney screen culture. Your presence helps amplify the work of local filmmakers and supports a creative ecosystem that continues to grow each year.
Does that sound like a film festival YOU want to be a part of? Of course it does!
We are absolutely buzzing for another huge year of Made in the West and we can’t wait to share it with you.
So, get those creative juices flowing and SUBMIT YOUR SHORT FILM before Saturday 25 October. Earlybird prices apply until 1 July!
Read our Entry Criteria for more details.
And of course, if you can’t make it on Opening Night, we’ll once again be hosting our MEGA Movie Marathon across the summer – taking Western Sydney stories to a global stage so you can enjoy the films from wherever you are, whenever you want.
It's all happening in 2025, and it's never been a better time to be a Western Sydney creative!
Keep an eye on this blog and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or TikTok for all the latest festival news, sneak peeks, filmmaker announcements and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
So save the date, rally your crew, get working on those film projects and prepare for a night of unforgettable films by Western Sydney’s talented filmmaking community.
See you at the cinema on Saturday 22 November!