Screen NSW building connections with Western Sydney

Screen NSW is strengthening its connections with local creative practitioners, with the launch of Screen NSW’s Western Sydney Sessions.

The sessions will provide attendees the opportunity to connect face-to-face with Screen NSW staff to receive guidance on relevant funding programs and industry insights, as well as boost engagement between Screen NSW and screen and digital games practitioners and companies based in Western Sydney.

Improving access and building stronger ties between Screen NSW and Western Sydney is a priority in the NSW Screen & Digital Games Strategy. This includes increasing representation of all NSW communities in screen and digital games projects and growing skilled workforce – above and below the line - to cement NSW as a leader in screen and digital games careers.

The inaugural session was held on Friday 28 February at Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) in Paramatta with Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth and Screen NSW Investment Managers in attendance.  Sessions will be hosted once a month at ACE from March to May 2025, with plans to expand the sessions across further locations in Greater Western Sydney later in the year. The sessions will feature a rotation of staff from different areas of the organisation so participants can learn more about funding streams including production finance, digital games, industry and audience development opportunities, and post, digital and visual effects support available.   

Western Sydney is a priority area for Screen NSW and a hub for screen and digital games activity. Recent projects filmed in Western Sydney include Matchbox Picture’s Critical Incident and House Of Gods, and Jungle Entertainment’s Watching You and Western Sydney based independent studio, Uppon Hill is currently developing their upcoming game Insignia.

Information on upcoming sessions will be available via the Screen NSW website.

Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth said: 

“NSW is the home for screen production in Australia and is home to many leading games studios. We know that there is a wealth of creative talent right around our state and the Western Sydney Sessions provide an opportunity for connection and mark an increase in our engagement with creatives who live outside the Sydney CBD.

“I hope our Western Sydney based creatives and companies find these sessions valuable and insightful, and I look forward to seeing creative activity in Western Sydney continue to thrive.”

Image: L-R: Gabriel Faatau’uu-Satiu, Taofia Pelesasa and Head of Screen NSW Kyas Hepworth attend Screen NSW’s inaugural Western Sydney Session 2025