The WA Made Film Festival is back for another year, and it’s bigger than ever! Running from Friday, February 21, to Sunday, March 2, this festival is a must-see for film lovers. Over ten days and across four venues, audiences will experience an incredible lineup of short films, feature films, and documentaries.
A Festival Six Years in the Making
The festival launched in 2020, right before COVID-19 changed everything. Despite lockdowns and restrictions, it survived—and thrived! “We can’t believe we’ve made it six years,” said Festival Director Matt Eeles from Cinema Australia. “It just keeps getting bigger and bigger every year.”
How Are Films Selected?
The selection process is no easy task. Each year, festival submissions open in July. Matt and festival managing director Jasmine personally watch every single entry. “We had close to 190 submissions this year,” Matt shared. “We sit there and binge-watch all these films.” Not every film can make the cut, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t good. “Most of the time, it’s not because we didn’t like a film. We just couldn’t fit it in.”
The Rise of Smartphone Films
One of the most exciting parts of the festival is the smartphone film competition. Every film in this category must be shot entirely on a phone. “The creativity people bring to these films blows us away every year,” Matt said. The competition has grown, with 17 films screening this year. “Every single film submitted made it into the festival—that’s how good they were.” And with a $1,000 prize on the line, the stakes are high!
What’s Generating Buzz?
The entire festival! “Every single session sells out quickly,” Matt explained. “This isn’t about money—it’s about celebrating filmmakers and giving them the chance to see their work on the big screen.” With just days to go before opening night, around 70% of the sessions were already sold out. So if you want to experience the best of WA filmmaking, grab your tickets fast!
Listen to the full conversation below!