Esperance to Fremantle cast and crew at the 2024 WA Made Film Festival. 

Nine filmmakers walked away with a total of ten awards at the WA Made Film Festival, which wrapped proceedings over the weekend after ten days and a total of seventy film screenings.

William Sebastian Turner’s Esperance to Fremantle was the big winner taking out the coveted Best of the Fest award, as decided upon by the WA Made Film Festival’s managing director, Jasmine Leivers, and festival director, Matthew Eeles. 

“During the official selection process Jasmine and I decide which film will take out the prize. It’s always a mutual decision, and the moment we finished watching Esperance to Fremantle we instantly agreed that it should be awarded the prize,” says Matthew. 

“Esperance to Fremantle is a perfect film. Its narrative is deep and highly emotive with two of the best lead performances we’ve ever seen during the five years that this festival has run. William is a serious talent, and we know that this is just the beginning of what’s sure to be a long and esteemed career,” Matthew continues. 

Esperance to Fremantle follows young man Rob, played by the always-impressing Luke Jai McIntosh, who travels from the southern coastal town of Esperance in search of his estranged father Tom, played by Robert Jackson.

“Our whole team were absolutely thrilled to be honoured with the Best of the Fest Award at the WA Made Film Festival,” William tells Cinema Australia.

“To win an award for a film is always amazing, but it felt extra special for a Western Australian festival to recognise this distinctly WA film. The fact that I got to celebrate the win with so many collaborators really made me feel at home in our state’s supportive and thriving film scene.”

Chloe McDermott and Imogen Linton at the 2024 WA Made Film Festival. 

Other big winners were co-directors Imogen Linton and Chloe McDermott who took out the $1000 cash prize for best film during the festival’s smartphone filmmaking competition, Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best.

Their short film Squish, shot entirely on a smartphone, was awarded the prize by the WA Made Film Festival’s Smart Jury made up of celebrated local talent including filmmakers Sarah Legg (Cherubhead) and Cooper Clark (Fat Crackers) and actor Lauren Campbell (Below, ABC’s ITCH).

Squish is a horror story that many can relate to. After a night of studying and a need for sleep, Cassie (played by Imogen) finds herself faced with the midnight mozzie. The irritating sound of a mosquito seems to magically disappear whenever the light is turned on.

“Chloe and I were so thrilled to have our efforts validated,” Imogen tells Cinema Australia. “We had the best time filming and were really excited to have an audience see our film. We are truly honoured at the response Squish got from the judges. The WA Made Film Festival gave us the opportunity to showcase something we love and for that we are truly grateful.”

The festival’s newest accolade, Best Student Film, also decided by Jasmine and Matthew, was awarded to Abby Marshall for her brilliant romantic comedy, The Philosophy of Love.

“The Philosophy of Love played like it had been made by an established filmmaker who has been making movies for decades, which speaks volumes to Abby’s talent as a young filmmaker. During these currently uncertain and often bleak times, The Philosophy of Love is a shining light with a hopeful message that we will remember for many years,” says Matthew. 

Abby Marshall and Zoë Davis at the 2024 WA Made Film Festival. 

The Philosophy of Love follows fifteen-year-old philosopher, Val (Bronte Simpson), and her quest to find an answer to her most recent philosophical question: Does love exist? On a family camping trip Val must endure hours of her parent’s (Chris Walkey and Jayne Lee) constant bickering. She feels neglected and alone. Her doubts about love’s existence seem realised, until the campground owner’s son, Joe (Talon Hopper), introduces himself. Throughout the day, Joe helps Val find an answer to her philosophical question, perhaps in more ways than one.

“We’re absolutely thrilled by the amazing response to The Philosophy of Love. Hearing giggles from the audience was heartwarming, and we definitely felt the love. We want to extend a massive thank you to the WA Made Film Festival for showcasing what WA film is all about,” says The Philosophy of Love producer,  Zoë Davis.

In a festival first, The Philosophy of Love also took out the Audience Choice Award on the night. Other films to take out Audience Choice Awards throughout the festival were Radheya Jang Jegatheva’s Bird Drone (Opening Night Shorts), Shaun Gregory Heredia’s A Sign (Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best), Clayton Orgles’s Disconnect (Saturday Shorts), Abby Garratt’s Paradise Valley (Long Shorts & Short Longs), Jessica Lily’s Her Creature (Left of Centre), and Cooper Clark, Lucas Pacheco and Cameron A. Clear’s Fat Crackers (Sunday Shorts). 

Now in its fifth year, the highly-regarded and industry-adored WA Made Film Festival is a vibrant celebration of the Western Australian filmmaking community, providing a valuable platform for local filmmakers to showcase their talents, stories, and creativity.

The WA Made Film Festival is Western Australia’s only independently operated film festival featuring exclusively WA made films only, and is WA’s biggest celebration of locally-made screen content.

You can find out more about the WA Made Film Festival via wamadefilmfestival.com.au

Disclaimer: Cinema Australia founder and editor Matthew Eeles is the Festival Director of the WA Made Film Festival.