Get ready, SXSW Sydney: Made in the West is back for round two!
After a hugely successful debut last year, Made in the West is once again bringing the #WesternSydneyFilm community vibes to #SXSWSydney, and we’re gearing up for another incredible event!
Last year, we packed the room at our first Indie Filmmaker Meetup with over 70 passionate filmmakers and creatives. And the feedback? Well, let’s just say we were among the best events of the week!
Now, we’re back – and this time, we’re aiming to make an even bigger splash.
Date: Thursday, 17 October
Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm
Location: 2315 Bar, Fortress, Sydney
SXSW is one of the most prestigious festivals in the world, and being part of its Sydney line-up for the second year in a row is a major milestone for Made in the West and the Western Sydney film community.
This festival celebrates the intersection of film, music, technology, and creativity, and it’s the perfect stage for our #westie spirit to shine.
From Parramatta to Penrith, Blacktown to Bankstown, our region is overflowing with talent and untold stories. We’ve seen first-hand how Western Sydney filmmakers are pushing boundaries and redefining Australian cinema, and this meetup is our chance to take that energy to the heart of Sydney.
So, what happens at the Indie Filmmaker Meetup?
This year’s event promises to be the networking event for filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, screen composers, location managers, festival curators, and all other creative contributors to the Asia-Pacific film industry.
Meet us at 2315 Bar Fortress on Broadway at 2.30pm. Our team (Misty, Ross & Jay) will be there to greet you when you arrive. There will be drinks and snacks available at the bar.
You can expect to meet up with artists of all backgrounds, skillsets and ages at the event – the filmmaking community is as diverse as your creative imagination.
You are welcome spruik your work, find common connections, bond over shared challenges, or just listen to what projects others have in the pipeline. Networking is all about putting yourself out there!
But how ever will you remember everyone’s names and projects afterwards, you might ask?? Well don’t worry, because we’ve got that covered too.
After the event, we’ll be sending out a ‘goodie bag’ email with everyone’s social media handles and portfolio links, firstly so you can enjoy the event and just focus on meeting people and having fun, but also so that you can follow, like, share and subscribe to each other’s work – all those things that will help the indie filmmaking scene thrive.
So whether you’re fresh on the scene or a season ed professional, this meetup is your opportunity to connect, find collaborators, and promote your work among the indie film community.
Not sure which badge to buy? Take the SXSW Sydney badge quiz to find out!
By the way, have you seen all the other Western Sydney creatives included in the SXSW program too? Check out these events that caught our eye!
Monday 14 October from 11am at ICC: Local theatre-maker and Riverside Theatre film program curator Gabriel Faatau’uu-Satiu from Satiu Studios will be hosting the Tagata Moana Creative Hangout
Tuesday 15 October from 2-3pm at UTS: One of Western Sydney’s rap elite L-Fresh the LION is speaking on a panel with other RnB singer-songwriters from the west, revealing the inspiration behind their lyrical performances in Western Sydney Artists on Songwriting and Sense of Place.
From Tuesday to Thursday, Arts + Cultural Exchange (ACE) will be screening a showcase of their creative work at NSW House (including some of the fab short films from Calling Cards – a workshop series hosted by Made in the West CREATIVE!).
Sydney artist Dyan Tai (whose music videos have featured at Made in the West in recent years!) is performing their electronic sounds as part of the music stream.
Friday 18 October from 12-1pm at ICC: Educators or Entertainers? How Is Learning Changing? features superstar creative leader Roger Dawkins from Western Sydney University.
At the Tech Expo: An exciting new digital streaming platform made just for indie short film makers – Dingoo – will be available to view at the Expo. Go meet Gabriel and the team to find out all about it!
So what are you waiting for??
SXSW is all about opportunities – to learn, to grow, and to make lasting connections. Our Indie Filmmaker Meetup is your chance to get in on that action.
Whether you're looking for collaborators, to promote your latest project, or just want to immerse yourself in the creative buzz, this is where you need to be.
And who knows? The next great collaboration could be just one handshake away.
We can't wait to see you there.