MADE IN THE WEST
FILM FESTIVAL
2024 FESTIVAL PROGRAM
MADE IN THE WEST MEGA MOVIE MARATHON
The MEGA Movie Marathon is AVAILABLE NOW online and on demand throughout December and January.
It's the perfect option for anyone who can't make it to the cinema on Opening Night, or long distance friends and family, or anyone keen to get a bunch of friends together and enjoy the show from the couch.
​
​
Featuring a marathon lineup of 23 short films and music videos made by indie and student filmmakers from Western Sydney, plus red carpet highlights from Opening Night and interviews with the filmmakers, this 3.5-hour film festival extravaganza is sure to entertain!
​
All viewers will CAST YOUR VOTE for the People's Choice Award and help decide the ultimate winner of our $2000 cash prize, thanks to In The Park Events in association with Sydney Olympic Park!
​
So, grab some popcorn and settle in on the couch, out on the patio, in your pool chair, by the fire, or the family BBQ – wherever you are! – because we've got another fantastic line-up of Aussie shorts for you to enjoy.
​
Check out the full program below and click on the social links to follow the filmmakers online.
Keen to print the program and take notes? Download our program booklet here.
​
Congratulations to the ALL the filmmakers
featured in the 2024 Marathon Line-Up!
Angel Signs: Isaac Puerile
Fernando de Miguel Fuertes
Western Sydney's very own Isaac Puerile navigates the corporatised world of Heaven Inc. and Hell Org as an angel-in-training. Witness the battle between his circumstances and his true (naughty) nature.
Bad Vibrations
Avenoir Productions
A one-shot horror film. When two housemates use a theremin to play an ancient incantation, they accidentally summon a demonic force that torments its victims with sound.
Bottleneck
Benjamin Menday
On a day intended to be a celebration of new life, a series of events and decisions made by a group of friends lead to a mistake which can never be undone.
Dive
Daniel Havas
Dive is a mystery-drama that follows a complex and taciturn character attempting to deal with loss through his vices, before turning to a grotesque source for closure and clarity.
Doonside: Beyond the Halls
Doonside Technology High School
In this short documentary, two Year 12 students from Doonside Technology High School take us on a personal journey as they prepare to graduate. With their school often portrayed negatively in the media, this film sheds light on the real Doonside community—its resilience, spirit, and support.
Dusty
Little Dusty Productions
After the death of his best friend, we follow Dustin on a grief-induced bender for one. Amidst the chaos, he accidentally mixes her ashes with a fat slug of cocaine, and to his utter confusion, Ashleigh appears. He realises the more ashes he combines with the ever-growing quantity of drugs, the more vivid Ashleigh becomes, and the longer she stays… having the time of their lives, until it spirals out of control.
Elton Chong: The Best Dive in Penrith
DMWC Films
In the heart of Penrith on high street is a Dive Bar called Elton Chong. Within these walls is an heavily graffitied aesthetic, Arcade Games, great beers and with these humble walls also are some of the best gigs in this end of Western Sydney.
Gallery of Echoes
Sunny Side Up Productions
Gallery of Echoes is an inspiring exploration of how art fosters a sense of home and belonging. Set against the backdrop of a serene art gallery, the film's journey unfolds through song, delving into the inner conflict of searching for belonging and the elusive feeling of home. As the narrative progresses, the characters find the courage to venture into the unknown. This story highlights the beauty of embracing uncertainty, finding passion in creation, and realising that true belonging comes from being part of something greater than oneself.
Greystanes
Ryan Cauchi
Greystanes, NSW 1995. Precocious 11 year-old Samantha and her older brother Marius discover a dark family secret and battle a nightmare's gallery of creatures from Maltese folklore, with the help of their Nanna and her old-world superstitions and customs.
Living With It
Mobina Rowhan
Aylena is a Lebanese Australian teen struggling with her mental health who is forced to do the unimaginable - talk to her dad about her feelings. With a gentle nudge from an unlikely confidante, Aylena faces her fear of emotional vulnerability in a culture where strength is measured by how well you conceal your emotions.
MisUnderstood
Colourful Screens
A lover’s heartfelt journey to be seen as more than just ‘special friends’ in the eyes of an immigrant father. This story goes through an emotional rollercoaster of independence, identity, love and acceptance.
Neuromance
Azure Productions
Nate is twenty-three years old, living with autism and discovering the horrors of the brutal gay dating scene in Sydney. After his well meaning best friends sign him up on Grindr against his will, Nate has to overcome his fear of pretty much everything to face one more terrifying date. Will it end in tears or will he find the man of his dreams?
Places, Please!
Noel Street Productions
Places, Please! delves into the frantic world behind the scenes of a local theatre's opening night. With the director stuck in traffic, first time stage manager Keith McRay faces a cascade of challenges: a missing actor, a rebellious cast member, an incompetent stage hand and a demanding lead actress. As chaos ensues, Keith must navigate the backstage drama to ensure the show's success, all while dealing with unexpected surprises that threaten to derail the entire production. The film captures the comedic and unpredictable nature of live theatre, offering a glimpse into the mayhem that precedes the opening curtain.
Poison
Centre Stage Academy of Performing Arts
When a teacher dies during detention, every student is a suspect.
Riley
Worker Bee Films
Riley has a screen addiction… until a strange babysitter (Kat) appears, pushing Riley to face her compulsions. In a warped and chaotic evening, Kat wants to show Riley that beyond her fears, she holds the power of the universe.
Rostrum
Open Gate Films
A former Olympic athlete and 'recovered' heroin user gives an addiction recovery group more than they bargained for.
The Right Turn
Kamil Domaradzki
Three youths from Western Sydney head out on a Saturday night, only to experience an unexpected event that changes their lives forever.
The Tyrannical Skyscraper
Balram Veeragoo
Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright's groundbreaking 1931 lectures on modern architecture at Princeton, “The Tyrannical Skyscraper” explores the intersections of modern culture and urbanism, specifically within the context of Sydney’s architectural landscape. Filmed throughout Sydney, it includes key locations in the West such as Parramatta Square.
The Voyage: Big Naz and Zeadala featuring Tommy Bassal
Cristobal Olguin
This music video blends documentary storytelling with a powerful track by Big Naz and Zeadala ft Tommy Bassal, exploring past and present stories and experiences.
Velvet Skin: Dylan Atlantis
Simrat Kaur
‘Velvet Skin’ showcases a seductive, queer love story. Dylan Atlantis is seduced by a mesmerising dancer. Their connection unfolds throughout an eventful night. Features meltingly slow, intimate shots and the parallels of pain and pleasure through swordplay and duet performance.
Voodoo
Linda Niksic
Sickness decides to seek therapy to help her deal with being everyone’s pin cushion, but the session goes horribly wrong and gets a little bit... unpleasant.
We Can Be Heroes
Hayden Huynh Media
We Can Be Heroes focuses on a variety of things related to the Heroes with Ability program. The documentary will cover the founders of George and Marco and their stories. It will also focus on the 'heroes' of the programme and how it has explored opportunities with the NRL, the local community and schools.
When Foreigners Speak English in American Movies
Flamecom Media Productions
For all the Duolingo learners and movie bingers out there, you've seen it before! In any American movies, even when non-Americans are in their own country, instead of conversing in their native tongue to one another, they still speak English with a broken accent for the sake of 'authenticity'. Why? Starring a multi-"verse"-al cast of Italian, German and Chinese speakers, this film explains why!