THE video, featuring 50 of the most eye-catching locations across NSW, was made to promote the state to local and international moviemakers.
Locations across Western Sydney are showcased in the three-minute ‘A place for every story’ video which highlights stunning footage of local green spaces, beaches and historic buildings – all of which could double for locations across the United States, Great Britain, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Arts Minister Don Harwin said.
“With this video we wanted to showcase the NSW that filmmakers don’t see every day, and really promote the incredible choice and adaptability that our stunning regional and metro locations have to offer international filmmakers,” Mr Harwin said.
“We are delighted to be able to capture the best of our landscape offering through this teaser and excited to showcase it to Hollywood later this month.”
Among the sights of Western Sydney that feature in the video is the state heritage listed Parramatta Gaol which has stood empty since its closure in 2011, the rugged forests, sandstone cliffs and waterfalls that make up the stunning Blue Mountains, the old stone arches in the quiet township of Picton and an aerial shot of the Lighthorse Interchange, Australia’s largest motorway interchange where the M7 and M4 intersect at Eastern Creek.
The video has been welcomed by the organisers of Made in the West, a film festival that shines a spotlight on Western Sydney’s emerging film scene and filmmakers.
General manager Misty McPhail said: “We’re excited that arts bodies are paying attention to Western Sydney and are being supportive of our artists.
“There was a time not too long ago when there was a lot of stigma about Western Sydney,” she said.
In a bid to put an end to that, Made in the West Film Festival was born, a platform for film buffs to make and screen their movies which must include cast, crew or locations from Western Sydney.
“It’s a deliberate entry criteria because we want to encourage people outside of the area to make films in the region,” Ms McPhail said.
Last year, Made in the West Film Festival attracted 54 submissions and about 300 people attended the screening of 18 films.
Now in its seventh year, this year’s festival will be held on November 24 at Event Cinemas, Liverpool
Details:
Watch A place for every story at
Where the filming happens
Mad Max: Fury Road: the fourth instalment in the popular franchise was partly shot at Penrith Lakes
Hacksaw Ridge: Mel Gibson’s war drama was shot on farmland in Bringelly.
Unbroken: Angelina Jolie filmed scenes of her World War II story in Camden and Blacktown
The Great Gatsby: Parramatta, Richmond and the Blue Mountains served as spectacular backdrops in the period film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
Book Week: scenes for the new Aussie comedy/drama were shot in Blue Mountains earlier this year
Ladies in Black: Bruce Beresford's new Australian film was partially shot in Strathfield and Parramatta earlier this year.
Sunkesari: the new Nepali horror film was shot at the historic mansion Camelot, near Camden, which also features in the popular TV drama A Place to Call Home.
Christmas Down Under: several scenes in the new feature film were recently shot in Western Sydney.
The Wolverine: the action, superhero film brought actor Hugh Jackman to Parramatta, Picton and Bankstown Airport.
