Remotely Famous will have its world premiere at the 2025 WA Made Film Festival.

In 2025, the WA Made Film Festival is set to become the biggest celebration of Western Australian screen culture the state has ever seen.

Held over 10 days across four venues, this year’s eagerly anticipated program features 115 short films, feature films, documentaries, and smartphone films; 78 premieres, including 63 world premieres; 9 ScreenCraft sessions, including panels, webinars, masterclasses, and an entertainment event; over 100 Q&A filmmaker guests; and its brand-new Student Awards.

“Since launching the festival in 2020, our mission has been to grow this festival every year to benefit the West Australian filmmaking community. While other festivals around the world use films to celebrate themselves, we use our festival to celebrate films. This festival has always put filmmakers first, so we’ve worked hard to put together our biggest program ever to celebrate and spotlight as many filmmakers as possible,” says Festival Director Matthew Eeles.

Everywhere will celebrate its WA premiere at the WA Made Film Festival.

The festival will open with the world premiere of the highly anticipated survival thriller Remotely Famous, the latest feature film from filmmaker Brad Newland (Radio Man). Newland’s sophomore feature film is an edge-of-your-seat survival adventure packed with suspense, humor, and gripping performances.

Remotely Famous follows Tess (Sascha Turich) and Steph (Daniela Barbosa), two social media enthusiasts who set out on a road trip deep into the heart of the Australian outback, determined to capture content that will skyrocket their online following. But when their vehicle unexpectedly breaks down in the middle of nowhere, their carefree journey takes a dramatic turn. Stranded and unprepared, the duo must rely on their wits, resilience, and untested survival skills to navigate the harsh and unforgiving wilderness.

“Brad Newland’s prowess as a filmmaker really impressed us with Radio Man, so we are thrilled to be given the opportunity to celebrate an emerging filmmaker of Brad’s calibre this year. The film’s anxiety-inducing thrills are bolstered by great performances from the film’s two leads, Sascha Turich and Daniela Barbosa, who we look forward to welcoming to the festival on opening night,” says Matthew.

Other world premiere feature films to screen throughout the festival include David T. West’s revenge drama and WA Screen Culture Award nominee Lint; Ryan Woosnam and Shane Adamczak’s new comedy Christmas Orphans; the dark, gritty, and violent political thriller In Sect from writer, director, and producer Amanda Crewes; and Hugh Taro McGuire’s very impressive, ultra-indie crime caper, Highest Treason.

Kate Ellen Campbell and Claire Ha’s Everywhere will celebrate its homecoming at WA Made following a very successful festival run both overseas and interstate. Everywhere follows the remarkable journey of The Periscope Crew, a film crew of young people living with disabilities, invited to cover the 2023 World Transplant Games in Perth. Initially tasked with capturing extra sports footage, they stepped up to the task, forging deep connections with athletes and donor families from all over the world. With their unique perspectives and infectious spirit, The Periscope Crew captured untold transplant stories, showing the world the powerful impact of the ‘gift of life.’

Giles Chan’s Jellyfish, Luke C. Griffiths’ GREEN: The Fight for Rock and Roll, and WA Screen Culture Award winner Genocide in the Wildflower State will also screen.

The Roadhouse Blues.

There will also be no shortage of short films at this year’s festival, with many popular events like Long Shorts and Short Longs, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Shorts, and Left of Centre returning to the lineup of short film showcases.

Two new short film showcases will also debut this year: Aging Gracefully, a celebration of the wisdom, resilience, and experience of Western Australia’s elderly, and Family Flicks, a fun-filled cinematic adventure for audiences of all ages that promises laughter, drama, wonder, and a few surprises.

“I say it every year, but short films are the backbone of Australia’s entire screen industry. They’re launching pads for some of our most exceptional and exciting talents. We love seeing filmmakers using short-form filmmaking to make their mark, and this year’s selection of short films is truly world-class.”

Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best

The first Saturday of the festival will see the return of WA’s only smartphone filmmaking competition, Get Smart! Presented by Buy West Eat Best. This time around, filmmakers were challenged to make a film with Mirror as the theme.

The selection of films screening throughout the program is sure to be audience pleasers. The winner of the Best Film award, decided by the festival’s Smart Jury, will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize. This year’s Smart Jury will be announced soon.

Kate Separovich, George Mason, Rose Riley, Miley Tunnecliffe. Photography by David Dare Parker.

Also making its debut at this year’s festival is ScreenCraft, a series of masterclasses, filmmaker panels, webinars, a podcast recording, and an entertainment event called Desperate and Collaborator-less – a networking event inspired by Speed Dating.

Desperate and Collaborator-less is designed to bring WA’s vibrant screen community together in an unforgettable way. Whether you’re an editor, cinematographer, director, producer, actor, or other screen professional, this is your chance to spruik your skills and meet potential collaborators. With just two minutes per introduction, the energy will be electric as participants pitch their talents and discover creative synergies with others who share their passion for filmmaking.

Filmmaker panels held throughout the festival include The Future is Bright: Independent Filmmaker Panel, Perth Film Industry: Are You Ready?, and Working Mums presented by WIFT Australia.

Filmmakers will also have the chance to join two exclusive masterclasses: Producing with Kate Separovich and Screenwriting with Jesse Laurie, as well as two educational webinars: Crafting Character Want: Fundamental Screenwriting Workshop by LA screenwriter Lorien McKenna and How to Budget for No-Budget Films Webinar by WA producer Kate Separovich.

For the first time ever, the WA Made Film Festival will proudly present a live audience recording of the Cinema Australia Podcast, featuring acclaimed filmmaker Zak Hilditch in conversation with host Matthew Eeles. This exclusive event offers audiences an unparalleled opportunity to delve deep into the celebrated director’s remarkable career—so far.

Myles Pollard will be on MC duties at the 2025 WA Made Film Festival Student Awards.

As if all of this wasn’t already enough, the WA Made Film Festival will also present its inaugural Student Awards, a new initiative designed to recognise and celebrate emerging talent in the Western Australian film industry.

The 2025 WA Made Film Festival Student Awards will provide a unique opportunity for student filmmakers to gain recognition within the local filmmaking community. This dedicated awards event will not only highlight the creativity and dedication of local students but also contribute to strengthening the film industry’s next generation in WA.

This brand-new event will be held at Planet Royale Theatre, with highly regarded actor and filmmaker Myles Pollard on MC duties.

The WA Made Film Festival runs Friday, 21 February – Sunday, 2 March 2025. The full 2025 WA Made Film Festival program can be found at www.wamadefilmfestival.com.au

Disclaimer Cinema Australia founder and editor Matthew Eeles is the WA Made Film Festival festival director.