The Indie Filmmaker Meet-Up returns to SXSW Sydney

Three is certainly a charm, and we're absolutely buzzing to announce our return to SXSW Sydney for the third consecutive year in October 2025!

After two phenomenally successful years bringing the #WesternSydneyFilm community to the heart of Sydney's creative scene, we're back with our biggest and boldest Indie Filmmaker Meetup yet!

Join us at Knox Street Bar from 3pm - 4pm on Wednesday 15 October 2025.

From that first packed room in 2023 with over 70 passionate filmmakers, to last year's incredible networking success at Bar Fortress where we exceeded capacity, we've proven that Western Sydney's creative energy is a force to be reckoned with.

And this year? We're ready to make an even bigger statement. SXSW Sydney has become our creative playground – the perfect intersection of film, music, technology, and innovation where our #westie spirit truly shines.

SXSW is one of the most prestigious festivals in the world, and being part of its Sydney line-up for the third year running 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 creative energy to take centre stage once again.

We're not just putting Western Sydney on the map – we're rewriting the picture entirely. From Parramatta to Penrith, Blacktown to Bankstown, our region is absolutely bursting with untold stories and groundbreaking talent. We've watched first-hand as Western Sydney filmmakers push boundaries, challenge conventions, and redefine what Australian cinema can be.

Over at Made in the West CREATIVE, hosting events like our Indie Filmmaker Meetup at SXSW Sydney isn’t about gathering a crowd – it’s about advancing our purpose to champion Western Sydney storytellers, build pathways for local creatives to thrive and create real opportunities for our filmmakers to connect with industry networks on a global stage.

#SXSWSydney is a natural extension of our purpose – it's a chance to showcase the depth of talent in our region, forge new partnerships, ensure EVERYONE knows about the great film scene here, and keep pushing the boundaries of what Western Sydney film can achieve.

We love showcasing the creativity that flows through our community and proving that the next wave of Australian cinematic excellence is being born right here in Western Sydney.

The success of indie filmmakers relies on connections, collaboration, and community. Whether you're a director with a vision burning to be told, a writer with stories that need to reach the screen, an actor ready to bring characters to life, or any other creative soul working in film and media, this meetup is your opportunity to connect with your tribe and amplify your voice on one of the world's most prestigious festival stages.

Our previous years have shown us just how powerful these connections can be. We've seen collaborations born from casual conversations, projects funded through chance encounters, and lifelong creative partnerships forged over shared drinks and dreams.

That's the magic of bringing together passionate creatives who understand the unique challenges and incredible rewards of independent filmmaking!

Based on our previous successes, you can expect networking opportunities with filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, screen composers, location managers, festival curators, and creative contributors from across the Asia-Pacific region. We're talking about real connections that lead to real collaborations – seriously, we've seen some amazing projects come out of these meetups!

And of course, we'll have our legendary post-event 'goodie bag' email with everyone's social media handles and portfolio links. This means you can focus on actually meeting people and having genuine conversations rather than frantically scribbling contact details or worrying about remembering everyone's Instagram handle.

Every year, we're blown away by the incredible Western Sydney talent featured throughout the SXSW Sydney program. Our region's artists, filmmakers, musicians, and tech innovators consistently prove that creativity knows no geographical boundaries – and that some of the most exciting, boundary-pushing work is happening right in our own backyard.

The atmosphere at our meetups is always inclusive and welcoming, where everyone from fresh-on-the-scene creatives to seasoned industry professionals can find their place. We've mastered the art of creating spaces where emerging talent feels confident sharing their vision alongside established professionals who are generous with their knowledge and experience.

From Campbelltown to the Hills, and from Strathfield all the way out to the Blue Mountains – this is our moment to shine. We're not just attending SXSW Sydney; we're making it clear that Western Sydney is where Australia's cinematic future is being written, one incredible project at a time.

Indie filmmaking is about pushing boundaries, telling unique stories that matter, and leaving your mark on the world. That's exactly what our meetup is all about – bringing together indie film artists from across our region to ignite sparks of creativity, forge lasting connections, and amplify our collective voice in the world of cinema.

Our region is brimming with storytelling potential. Western Sydney filmmakers are harnessing that incredible energy and creating something truly extraordinary.

This is where Australia's next cinematic revolution begins, and SXSW Sydney 2025 is where we're going to prove it to the entire industry.

There are a stack of free events to check out throughout the week! Here are some of our favourites, featuring Western Sydney artists: 

• Hating and Loving Ourselves - 9:30am - 10:30am on Tuesday 14 October at ICC Sydney - Room E3.6

• Solly - 7:30pm - 8:00pm on Wednesday 15 October at Knox Street Bar

• Western Sydney: Where technology and creativity converge - 12:30pm - 1:30pm on Thursday 16 October at Darling Pavilion - NSW House

• 90 Minute Film School - 10:45am - 12:15pm on Friday 17 October at Palace Central Cinemas - Cinema 1

In the meantime, start thinking about what projects you'll be pitching, what collaborations you're seeking, and how you want to represent the incredible creativity that defines Western Sydney.

We're already counting down the days until we can reunite the #FilmFam and celebrate everything that makes Western Sydney's creative community so special. The Western Sydney creative revolution continues, and SXSW Sydney 2025 is where we're going to make some serious noise!

Join us at Knox Street Bar from 3pm - 4pm on Wednesday 15 October 2025.

We can't wait to see you there and show the world what #WesternSydneyFilm is all about!