We’re ten days away from this year’s event, so we thought you might be wanting a few tips on what to expect at this year’s Made in the West Film Festival!
GETTING THERE IS EASY
Find us upstairs at the Paddo RSL at 220 – 232 Oxford Street, Paddington. There are buses from Central, Museum and Bondi Junction, or you can catch a taxi for around $10. For public transport suggestions head to our FAQ page.
Looking for a landmark? The Paddo is opposite the Paddington Town Hall.
WALK THE RED CARPET
Join us from 6pm in the private foyer upstairs to meet everyone and grab a drink before the show starts. We'll open the screening room doors at 6pm so you can walk the red carpet – prepare to get snapped by our festival photographers! Invite your cast & crew to take pics in front of our festival banners during intermission and we'll share them with you after the event. And keep an eye out for our festival finalists as they do their red carpet interviews with our TV crew!
NETWORK LIKE A BOSS
This year's finalists, judges and sponsors will be invited to join us for a glass of champagne at our VIP meet & greet from 6pm – but don't worry if you have your friends with you, they won't be far away! Our private bar is right next to the screening room so you can come and go from VIP as you please. The aim is for the finalists to meet each other right at the start and then you can all hang out with your mates throughout the show.
ORDER DINNER BEFORE THE SHOW (OR DURING INTERMISSIONS)
The Crafty Cook bistro has food downstairs and they're super quick at serving up too. If you're hungry for dinner you can order something before we kick off, or pop downstairs during one of the intermissions. You can even ask for a takeaway container so you don't have to carry a plate upstairs. We'll have some standing room tables at the back so you can eat during the segments and you won't miss the films. Kitchen is open until 9.30pm.
THREE HOURS OF FILMS AND AWARDS
The films will be screened in three segments, with breaks in between so you can refresh your drink and chat to your friends about your favourite films. Individual category awards are announced at the end of each hour-long segment and the night concludes with the awards ceremony where we announce Best in the West, Best Student Film and the highly coveted Audience Choice Award.
VOTE FOR YOUR FAVOURITE FILMS
It’s the best part of the night – after screening all 18 finalist films we will hold a LIVE VOTE where YOU get to choose your favourite film. We tally the votes during the final intermission and then send someone home with a shiny, new crystal trophy. So, gather your troops and get them to come along to support your film!
YES, TROPHIES ARE UP FOR GRABS
If you’ve been named one of our 2017 finalists, you're in for a treat! Independent filmmakers will compete for the title of Best in the West, a prestigious award recognising the top talent from Western Sydney each year and voted for by our panel of judges. Student filmmakers will compete for the Best Student Film Award and total bragging rights among your mates because let's face it, your bright future in film will be practically assured. And, of course, there's the highly coveted Audience Choice Award, as voted for by YOU.
PLUS AWARDS AND PRIZES GALORE
All films are eligible to be nominated for the individual category awards (Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Sound Design, Best Editor, Best Cinematographer, and Best Director). We'll announce the nominations on Monday 20th November once the judges' scores come in. We’ve got some fantastic prizes lined up for this year's winners.
SEE YOU THERE!
Check out our FAQ page if you have any questions that went unanswered, or get in contact with us if you need any help. Be sure to RSVP on Made in the West Film Festival’s event page so we know you're coming – and we’ll see you on the red carpet!