We can’t wait to tell you about this year’s prize list and the awesome local superstars getting behind Made in the West this year.
From all of us here at SSP, we'd like to say a HUGE thank you to our 2022 prize sponsors for showing their support for Western Sydney filmmakers!
Having our sponsors see and support our vision makes us even more determined to reach our goal: to build a thriving, productive and welcoming Western Sydney film scene. We want to see more films being made here, more film jobs going to Western Sydney filmmakers, more arts venues and studios, and more audiences eager to watch locally made films.
We’re not asking for much!! And the fact is, we can’t do it alone.
Building up the creative community here in Western Sydney over the last ten years has taken collaboration and a strong community spirit – and we have loved every minute of it!
Building a powerfully connected creative industry that supports and celebrates Western Sydney artists over the next ten years is going to take solidarity, and a shared vision for a productive and profitable future in our creative west!
And as we travel this road we find ourselves surrounded (and supported) by greatness.
This year’s prize pool is valued at over $10,000!!! So if you are a filmmaker thinking of submitting your film to the festival this week (way to leave it ‘til the last minute!), then maybe these awesome prizes might help get you over the line.
On behalf of all local filmmakers, we would like to say THANK YOU to the following organisations for supporting Made in the West and the Western Sydney creative community:
Luke Walker Productions
Luke Walker has worked as DOP / Aerial DOP for some of the country’s biggest brands, including Sony and ANZ Bank, as well as on the set of blockbusters like Pacific Rim and Peter Rabbit. Luke has a huge collection of lighting and equipment and he loves shooting films with up-and-coming directors. Thanks to Luke Walker Productions, the 2022 Best in the West Award winner will be awarded a 4-day DOP package (valued at $6000) with equipment, lighting and expertise included, so you can work with Luke on the set of your next short film! Thanks Luke for this amazing prize!!
Sydney Prop Specialists
If you’re a filmmaker and you haven’t been to check out Sydney Prop Specialists yet, you’re missing out! With the largest collection of props in Australia and an extensive collection of backdrops, furniture and staging equipment, Sydney Props has all the props you need for your next film shoot. In 2022, Sydney Props is offering one full day hire (8am-6pm) in Studio 4 which is a soundproof, air-conditioned 12m x 9m TV studio for the winner of our Audience Choice Award! You will have everything you need on set with a change room, makeup area and toilets, plus a well-equipped kitchen and prep room immediately adjacent - it’s the perfect studio for your next interior set build, in-car driving scene, or music video shoot (valued at $1100). Thanks so much Sydney Props for supporting local filmmakers!
Million Masters Studio
Million Masters is a full-service music production studio, owned and operated by producer and mastering engineer Karna K. whose credits include Skarlett, The Fades, MACC, The Buena Vista Social Club and many more. For the first time this year, Million Masters is offering an amazing prize package to the winner of Best Music video to have their next song or music video professionally mixed and mastered! (valued at $1300) But that’s not all… in addition to mastering music for some great bands and musicians, Karna K. is also amazing at mastering films – and we all know how important great sound is in our films! So, we’re pleased to announce that the winner of this year’s Best Student Film trophy will also be the lucky winner of a film mastering package (valued at $1000), to use on their next short film. Thanks so much Million Masters for these amazing prizes!
Irierootsini Photography
Blacktown based photographer Irierootsini Photography specialises in artist portraits and product photography. In 2022, Irierootsini Photography is offering the winners of the Best Actor in a Lead and Supporting Role a Professional Actors Headshots package (valued at $550) which includes a 2-3 hour photoshoot with a professional photographer in the Irierootsini Studio and up to 15 retouched images - what a great prize for our acting category award winners! Thanks so much to Emil at Irierootsini Photography!
Arts & Cultural Exchange (A.C.E), Parramatta
A.C.E has worked with Western Sydney communities, artists and creative producers to deliver professional development pathways for emerging cultural entrepreneurs for over 30 years. In 2022, A.C.E is pitching in three great prizes that will help award-winning local filmmakers with their next big projects - amazing! For the winner of the Best Screenplay award, ACE is offering you one day room hire for your next table read or writing room session! For the winner of the Best Director award, ACE is offering you one day room hire for your next round of auditions or rehearsals! And for the runner-up in our Best Music Video category, you’ll win one week in the Delta 88 Studio to record your next set of tracks! HUGE thanks to A.C.E for these great prizes!
Australian Production Design Guild
The Australian Production Design Guild was established in 2009 as a non-profit organisation that aims to represent designers and their associates in screen, live performance, events and digital production across Australia. In 2022, APDG will be offering a one-year Emerging Producer membership to the winner of the Best Production Design award, Includes advertising in Member Directory, eligibility for ‘Emerging Designer’ category at APDG Awards and the new MentorAPDG program, access to events, discounts and members-only resources. Thanks so much for supporting our production designers, APDG!
Australian Writers’ Guild
The Australian Writers’ Guild is the professional association representing writers for stage, screen, radio and online and has protected and promoted their creative and professional interests for 60 years. AWG provides industrial advice to members as well as professional development and networking opportunities, as well as hosting an annual calendar of writing competitions, including the prestigious AWGIE Awards. In 2022, AWG is offering a one-year Associate Membership to the winner of the Best Screenplay award, which includes access to services and networking opportunities and the opportunity to apply for the many writing initiatives they run throughout the year. Thanks so much AWG for supporting our emerging screenwriters!
Peter Millynn
Peter Millynn is a freelance screen educator and practitioner with more than 30 years experience in the industry as an actor, writer, musician, recording studio operator, production accountant, production manager and producer. He has mentored and overseen the development and production of over 950 short films including numerous festival winners and three Academy Award nominees. Peter is one of our festival judges and this year, he is offering a screen mentorship prize to the runner-up in our Best Student Film category, which includes one initial script consultation (online) for your next film idea and 2-3 follow up sessions to guide you from story concept to screen production. What an amazing opportunity, thanks to Peter Millynn!
Still Searchin’ Productions
Still Searchin' Productions are the team that plans and produces Made in the West each year, sponsoring the event and all major awards. We are strong advocates for Western Sydney filmmakers and the emerging talent in our local film scene. In 2022, each major award winner will receive an invitation to join Festival AD Ross Page (a.k.a Roscoe Pagey Train) on the Pagey Train Podcast to chat about their film work and promote their latest projects. You might not know this, but AD Ross is also a keen Foley artist and ADR specialist, so we’re also offering a prize to the runner-up in the Best in the West category for a Foley & ADR Package including sound effects, atmosphere and ADR for your next film. How sweet is that!? Thanks Ross and the SSP team!
THANK YOU to these wonderful organisations for making a real contribution to the ongoing growth of Made in the West Film Festival and the Western Sydney film community. We salute you!
If you are a local or small business owner and would like to support Made in the West too, please contact us!
In the meantime, stay tuned for more festival announcements coming this week!
You can follow us on Facebook or Instagram for event info and announcements in the lead up to the big day.
And of course, if you haven't yet submitted your film -- now is your chance! Submissions close THIS FRIDAY 28 OCTOBER at midnight!
All short films of ANY genre are welcome, including comedy, sci fi, horror, drama, webseries episodes, documentary, animation and music video.
ENTER YOUR FILM to WIN prizes and awards, but most importantly, to see your film on the huge Vmax cinema screen at Event Cinemas, in front of a live audience! Walking the red carpet at Made in the West is a huge buzz and you've gotta be part of it.
We're looking forward to seeing you at the festival!