Part One:
‘Places Please!’ by Paul Rye.
Viewers were welcomed to the first short film of the night: ‘Places, Please!’, which delved into the chaotic world of production behind the stage, centring on the life of stage manager, Keith. Audiences experienced Keith’s point of view as he tried – through many challenges and attempts – to get all cast members ready for the show and on stage in time.
Luckily, Keith wrangled everyone together for the final production, demonstrating the highs and lows of the behind-the-scenes life of productions and performances.
‘We can be heroes’, by Hayden Huyunh:
A documentary that delved into the ‘heroes with ability’ program, explained through founders George Tonna and Marco Quintao. Through visual storytelling and sit-down interviews, the short film analysed the program and its importance of inclusion, representation, and appreciation in helping people of all ages live out their dreams.
‘Bottleneck’ by Benjamin Menday:
This short film depicts what was supposed to be a day of celebration and fun – yet it quickly turns into something dark and sinister.
At her sister Keely’s baby shower, Tara and her friends, Tom and Adam, make a mistake that cannot be undone. This short film will have audiences on the very edge of their seats until the very end, as there are many twists and turns.
Later, ‘Bottleneck’ filmmaker, Benjamin Menday, says in an interview during the intermission of MITW film festival:
“The reason behind these unique perspectives and intricate storytelling is because Western Sydney is a melting pot of representation and experiences, and that’s what makes the incredible showcase shown tonight”.
Primary school girl, Riley, battles having a screen addiction and has her electronic tablet in her hand constantly at school and home. It’s not until Riley experiences a dream-like evening with her babysitter – which turns her reality into a multitude of colours, streamers and cat costumes – that Riley is forced to face her screen addiction. She, along with the audience, begins to understand the power and happiness of living in the moment without the internet and a device.
As the cat-like babysitter says within the film: “See what the world looks like when you let go. You’re not a prisoner, as you carry power and hope within you.”
(The MITW Online Movie Marathon also had surprises for movie lovers, such as red-carpet interviews. Photo: ‘Neuromance’ short film poster | Azure Productions).
Part Two:
‘Doonside: Beyond the Halls’, by Anna Outridge
Viewers are transported to part two of the festival marathon. Kicking off part two was the short documentary film, ‘Doonside: Beyond the halls’ by Anna Outridge.
The short film takes audiences through COVID 19, postcode wars and navigating school life. This documentary follows the life of Doonside Technology High School, from the perspective of two year 12 students. It showcases the school outside of news controversy, and highlights the resilience, hope and bright lives and futures of Doonside Tech students and the Doonside community.
‘Angel Signs: Isaac Puerile’, by Fernando de Miguel Fuertes:
A music video, starring Isaac Puerile, portrayed the world of Heaven and Hell, with Puerile training to be an angel. Viewers witnessed Puerile’s battle to balance his angelic and devilish nature.
‘Elton Chong: The Best Dive in Penrith’, by Shaye Fox:
This short film delved into the walls of ‘Dive Bar Elton Chong’, located on High Street Penrith. The film highlighted the Western Sydney bar’s iconic beginnings, its metal rock and alt culture, its graffiti aesthetic, arcade games, and some of the best quality gigs Western Sydney has to offer.
‘Nueromance’, by Kyle Goldfinch:
The short film began with 23-year-old Nate, and his parents’ unwelcoming and negative position on their son’s homosexuality and autism. Viewers watch in horror as Nate’s own mother says at a dinner that, “No man will like you if you are autistic.” Nate explores the high and lows of gay dating life in Sydney, and the film leaves the viewer questioning if Nate will find love, and the man of his dreams.
The short film depicts main character (and former Olympian athlete and “recovered” heroin user), Mark Campbell, as he gives a talk at an addiction recovery conference. However, Mark gives the group more than what they bargained for and powerfully depicts the harsh reality of addiction and its consequences.
One of the darker short films is ‘Bottleneck’, which depicts a horrible mistake and accident, changing the lives of characters forever | Photo: ‘Bottleneck’ short film poster | IMDb)
Part Three:
‘Dusty’, by Travis Jeffery and Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor:
In an interview on the MITW film festival red carpet, Jeffery and Lindsay-Taylor describe their film and its visual storytelling which depicts the toxic side of grief, drug addiction, and how the main character, Dustin, kept the memory of his friend, and love, alive.
Jeffery was asked about the importance of the Western Sydney film community in the making of ‘Dusty’:
“The Western community has been so pivotal to us as we had an incredible community and crew making this film. So, to take this great community to make the film to a great community to share it is such a great end place to be”.
Lindsay-Taylor shares the same sentiment and gave advice to aspiring filmmakers in Western Sydney:
“You can even shoot a short film on your phone now; there’s no excuse! Get out into the business, you can do it. If you have a story to tell, just tell it.”
‘Velvet Skin’, by Dylan Atlantis:
‘Velvet Skin’ is a music video and sensual showcase of queer love. Combined with an infectious beat and seductive lyrics by Dylan Atlantis, the visuals portrayed an intimidating essence of pain and pleasure through duet performances.
‘Living with it’, by Mobina Rowhani:
The short film tells the tale of Ayena, a Lebanese Australian teen, struggling with her mental health after the passing of her mother, and struggling to deal with an emotionally strained relationship with her father. Through help from her brother, Daniel, Ayena faces her fears and opens up to her dad about her struggles, and her hopes for the future, her family and her life.
‘When foreigners speak English in American Movies’, by Martin Yeung:
Highlighting the hilarity of English dubbed foreign movies; Martin Yeung visualises the absurdity of having characters not speak in their native tongue but in English with a broken accent. The characters break the 4th wall consistently in the film and say repeatedly to each other after speaking in their native tongue:
“Why are you speaking in English?! Ahhh… because this is an American movie so we must speak in English, even though we were just speaking normally for absolutely no reason.”
‘The Right Turn’, by Kamil Domaradzki:
What starts as a simple Saturday night cruise for three friends from Penrith, Western Sydney, takes an unexpected turn that changes their lives forever.
(The short films were varied and each one emotional in its own way | Photo: ‘Dusty’ short film poster | Little Dusty Productions)
Conclusion of the Marathon:
Viewers who reached the end of the marathon were shown a QR code to scan and submit their favourite film for the night.
The MITW online movie marathon ends with a powerful statement from founder Misty McPhail, who expresses her pride in the Western community as well as her happiness for the community support for the festival, ending the marathon with a wholesome atmosphere of celebration and appreciation.
“It’s one of the things I love the most about the Made in the West community, everyone comes together at the end of the year…celebrated each other and learns from each other. It’s been a wonderful night.”
For more information and updates on the Made in the West Festival and their highlights, please check out their website and follow them on Instagram to see what’s in store and what Western Sydney will bring for 2025!
