Only TWO days until the 2017 Made in the West Film Festival!
The excitement is certainly building here in the Still Searchin' camp as last week we announced the festival judges, finalists, prizes and sponsors -- what a rush! Then earlier this week, as the judges' scores came in, we announced the nominations for this year's individual category awards - congratulations to all of our nominees! We can't wait to see you at the festival on Saturday.
And here's a word to the wise... use the #madeinthewest hashtag on your way to the festival (on any of our social platforms) and you'll go in the running to win a $50 bar card courtesy of the Paddo RSL! We'll draw the winner at end of the first segment.
Find us on socials here:
For now though, we have a couple of people we'd like you to meet!
It’s time to meet your hosts for the 2017 Made in the West Film Festival.
We’re so thrilled to welcome two charismatic hosts to get you in the mood for celebration this weekend. They’ll be introducing our finalist films on stage and hosting our red carpet interviews -- don’t be afraid to say hello when you see them!
Prema has a wealth of experience when it comes to hosting events and we're stoked he has come on board to MC our festival this year! Whether it’s an intimate corporate dinner, exclusive lunch event or even Mercedes Fashion Week, Prema hosts event with finesse. Originally from Sri Lanka and raised in Tasmania, at 25 he moved to Sydney to pursue his dream of becoming a professional actor and recording artist, co-creating The Fresh Prince of Tasmania podcast, centred around cultivating self-value and self-love. Above all, Prema is passionate about performing and encouraging people to be the best they can be. He has taken on supporting roles in the feature film Bad Day In Belgrade and play The Couplet of Bengal. Most recently, you might have seen him in the We Love Our Lamb commercial, or Stan’s The Other Guy. Meanwhile he's been working behind the scenes as a producer on two new web series, Back In The Game and First World Relationships. This year Prema made his directorial debut in feature film Cop’s Enemy, filmed in Western Sydney – you'll see their new trailer at the festival. Follow Prema on Twitter here!
James will be working his magic on you this year doing vox pops and interviewing our finalists for their red carpet interviews. A two-time NSW Young Achiever of the Year nominee, he has a passion for all things media and entertainment! He currently works as a communications manager in addition to producing and presenting an independent TV series, Musos with James Preston, which is due to air on TV ARCANA in 2018. He is also one half of the Banter Brigade podcast, which delivers a twisted take on pop culture alongside a decent dose of some ridiculous banter. The podcast drops on iHeart radio each Tuesday at 5pm. James has appeared in feature and short films, performed alongside Ja Rule and XZIBIT, and is an experienced radio host – previously working as NSW's youngest sub-metro station manager at Alive 90.5 FM. He is excited to be a part of the 2017 Made In The West Film Festival and we’re super stoked to welcome him! Follow James on FB here.
Please join us in thanking them!
We're pretty darn pleased they can be with us on the mics this Saturday, hosting you all for a great night. And it IS going to be a great night -- partly because we know y'all are gonna BRING IT !! -- and also partly because we have an awesome team of contributors who are willing to throw their support behind Western Sydney filmmakers.
And you know what that means, right? This Saturday's MADE IN THE WEST FILM FESTIVAL is going to be our best festival yet.
We hope to see you there!