Still Searchin Productions would like to congratulate all the entrants in this year’s event and particularly, the 17 finalists whose films were screened – you have each contributed to a
fabulous evening and we salute you!
Photo courtesy of Rachael Belle Myers
We had a BRILLIANT time last night -- it definitely feels like 2016 was our best festival yet!!
Made in the West Film Festival is dedicated to supporting emerging filmmakers in Western Sydney. We love seeing more films being made each year and we surely love recognising Western Sydney on the big screen. And that’s why we don’t have any rules about what kind of films you can enter into the festival - we welcome any genre – we just want you to tell great stories that audiences will enjoy!
In 2016, Made in the West Film Festival screened short films of diverse genres including action, horror, animation, documentary, comedy and drama. Finalists were nominated for individual category awards announced throughout the night, based on the judges’ recommendations. Here are this year’s winners: BEST DIRECTOR – Scott Connor for An Audience To Behold BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER – Rah Sharma for The Briefcase BEST EDITOR – Rachael White for Friend or Faux? BEST SOUND DESIGN – Helmut Uhlmann for Bleeding Backs BEST ACTRESS – Chelsea Ingram for An Audience to Behold BEST ACTOR – Franco Flammia for Bleeding Backs
All finalists were also in the running for major trophies and prizes, thanks in part to our wonderful sponsors Media Hub, Green Key Studios, Video Australasia, Western Sydney University. Of course, the room erupted with cheers as the final winners were announced – a HUGE shout out to:
2016 Runner-up Best Student Film: Friend or Faux? by Timothy Cheeseman (Nominated for Best Director, Best Editor (WINNER) & Best Cinematographer)
2016 Best Student Film WINNER: Bleeding Backs by Matthew C. Vella (Nominated for Best Director, Best Sound Design (WINNER), Best Editor, Best Actor (WINNER) & Best Actress)
2016 Runner-up Best in the West: Yang by Vonnie Patiag (Nominated for Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Actress & Best Editor)
2016 Best in the West WINNER: First World Problems by Rachael Belle Myers (Nominated for Best Director, Best Cinematographer & Best Actor)
Both judges and attendees commented on the quality of films in the line-up, and tensions were high as the final votes were being counted for the highly coveted Audience Choice Award. But there could only be one . .
2016 Audience Choice Award WINNER: Pillow Talk by Scott Sowter (Nominated for Best Director, Best Editor & Best Sound Design) *cue applause*
Congratulations again to the 2016 Finalists and thank you to all who were in attendance. We hope you enjoyed your night and we will see you next year at Made in the West 2017!
Signed, The SSP Team.