September Wrap on our Online Networking Event
- Made in the West Film Festival
- Sep 29
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 3
What a brilliant turnout we had for our September online networking session!
We nearly hit our record for the number of people who attended, and were so stoked to welcome and host filmmakers from across Western Sydney who logged on to connect, share stories, and hear from some incredible guests who are making waves in the industry.
The chat was buzzing throughout the evening. People were making connections, sharing resources, and planning future collaborations.
Someone mentioned a crew opportunity and three people jumped in to offer help. Another filmmaker shared a location contact that solved someone else's production challenge.
Our spotlight guests brought the kind of honest, practical insights that make these sessions so valuable!
This is what these sessions are all about! Creating space for Western Sydney filmmakers to find their people and build the networks that turn ideas into reality.
The energy was exactly what we hoped for: supportive, collaborative, and showing genuine interest in each other's work.
Matthew's updates about his upcoming events generated plenty of excitement in the chat. People were keen to hear about the Vellamatt Showcase at ACE Parramatta on Saturday 11 October and the Clipped Music Video event at Riverside Theatres on Saturday 8 November, both happening in the coming months.
The After Party announcement got everyone buzzing. Last year's post-festival celebration at the Macquarie Hotel was legendary, so knowing it's coming back bigger this year had people marking their calendars immediately.
Andrew's insights about working full-time as a writer sparked a longer conversation in the chat. Multiple people related to the challenge of keeping your own creative projects alive while paying the bills with other people's work.
It's a balancing act that almost every working creative faces. Hearing someone who's navigating it successfully was clearly valuable for the group!
Elliot's point about blockbuster productions filming in our backyard without local awareness hit a nerve. Several people expressed frustration about missing out on opportunities they didn't even know existed.
It highlighted a real gap in communication between big productions and the local talent pool - one that we'd love to help bridge at Made in the West Creative. And with Oran Park Studios slated to open in 2027, pending development approval, that's a giant piece in the puzzle that will slot into place and open up some fantastic opportunities for local practitioners.
Jack's journey from Made in the West to international festivals and Screen Australia development inspired plenty of questions. People wanted to know about his experience with Australians in Film, how he approached developing a short into a feature, and what the Untapped Lab involved.
His willingness to share practical details about applications, timelines, and what helped him succeed was incredibly generous. That kind of knowledge-sharing is invaluable.
A huge thank you to Andrew, Elliot, and Jack for being so generous with their time and insights. They didn't just show up to talk at people – they genuinely engaged with questions and made connections. And thanks to Matt for co-hosting the event with us.
And massive thanks to everyone who came along, asked questions, and contributed to making it such a good evening. Your participation is what makes these sessions work!
The diversity of experience levels in the room was one of the best things about the night. From students to established professionals, everyone had something to offer and something to learn.
We'll be back with more online networking sessions in 2026! Keep an eye on our socials and newsletter for announcements.
Whether you're just starting out, building your portfolio, or working professionally, these sessions are for you. The whole point is bringing Western Sydney's film community together, regardless of where you're at in your journey.
If you missed this one or couldn't make it online, don't worry. There's always next time! We’ll also be live in the flesh at this year’s SXSW Sydney hosting our third annual Indie Filmmaker Meet Up. Come one, come all! You don’t have to be from Western Sydney either to attend – but you have to be willing to work with us.
We're committed to creating regular opportunities for Western Sydney filmmakers to connect, learn, and grow together. These sessions are just one part of building a stronger, more connected creative community in our region.
The conversations that happen in these rooms often continue long after we log off. Collaborations start, friendships form, and projects find the people they need to happen.
That's the real magic of bringing our community together consistently. It's not just about one night – it's about building relationships that support careers over the long term.
Hopefully we'll see you at the next one!
Until then, keep making, keep connecting, and keep telling Western Sydney stories that deserve to be seen.
If you're not already signed up to our newsletter, use the pink banner at the top of the screen to join our mailing list. That way you'll never miss an upcoming networking session or festival announcement.
And if you're working on a short film right now, remember that submissions for Made in the West Film Festival 2025 are still open. We want to see your work on the big screen this November – but you better get in quick: final submissions close at 11:59pm Saturday 25 October.
Thanks again to everyone who made September's session such a success. Your passion for Western Sydney storytelling is what drives everything we do.