--- title: Stories From Here EOI Opens description: Free video workshop program for Cranebrook locals to tell their community story. Apply now for Stories From Here – EOIs open for 2026! image: https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/hubfs/Stories%20From%20Here_Lead%20Image.jpg --- [![](https://24105364.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24105364/Made%20in%20the%20West%20BOLD%20Logo%20Black.png)](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/home) - [Home](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/home) - [Our Story](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/about-made-in-the-west) - Services - [Content Production](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/our-services/content-production) - [Content Provision](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/our-services/content-provision) - [Cultural Development](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/our-services/cultural-development) - [Consultation](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/our-services/consultation) - Events - [#WesternSydneyFilm Online Networking Event](https://events.humanitix.com/westernsydneyfilm-online-networking-event-september-2026) - [Made in the West Film Festival](https://www.madeinthewest.com.au/news) - [Projects](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/latest-projects-by-made-in-the-west-creative) - [Our River: From Nawi to Now](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/our-river-from-nawi-to-now) - [Western Sydney Aerial Footage Library](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/western-sydney-aerial-footage-made-in-the-west) - [Stories From Here: Penrith Workshops](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/stories-from-here) - [Case Study: Catalyst West Films](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/case-study-western-creative) - [Articles](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles) - Work With Us - [Western Sydney Crew](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/film-crew-western-sydney-work-with-us) [contact us](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/contact-us) Search **the website** # Stories From Here: **Documenting Penrith Locals** ![](//cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/24105364/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/if_else_agency/Aesthetics/assets/images/icons/arrow-down.svg) ![](https://24105364.fs1.hubspotusercontent-ap1.net/hubfs/24105364/Stories%20From%20Here_Lead%20Image.jpg) ## Share this **post** We’re excited to announce that expressions of interest are now open for *'Stories From Here'*, a brand new community storytelling program produced by Made in the West Creative and supported by Penrith City Council through the Magnetic Places grant program. This free workshop series will run in 2026 and is open exclusively to Penrith residents, particularly those in Cranebrook. Over several weeks, a small group of locals will have the opportunity to learn how to shape and share their own video stories — whether it’s about a local hero, a special place, or a moment that matters to them. The final works will be featured at a community screening on Saturday 18 July ([see here for details](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/stories-from-here)), turning Cranebrook into a place of local voices and storytellers. ![Stories From Here_Lead Image](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Stories%20From%20Here_Lead%20Image.jpg?width=2048&height=1365&name=Stories%20From%20Here_Lead%20Image.jpg) ## Learn to make your own short film *Stories From Here* is a hands-on video workshop series where participants will learn how to plan, film, and shape their own short documentary or community story. You’ll be guided by the Made in the West team and mentored by local filmmakers — no prior experience needed. You might choose to tell the story of your neighbour who runs the local food drive, your aunty who’s been teaching music from her front room for 20 years, or even your own journey as a young artist growing up in Cranebrook. Whether it’s heartfelt, historic, or creative, your story deserves to be told — and we’ll help you do it. The workshops will be delivered locally in a supportive, small-group environment. You’ll walk away with new skills, new connections, and your very own short video documentary, ready to be shared with your community. ![Filmmakers collaborating](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Calling%20Cards%20with%20MITW%2011th%20May%202024_DSCF6137.jpg?width=2600&height=1733&name=Calling%20Cards%20with%20MITW%2011th%20May%202024_DSCF6137.jpg) ## Why Local Stories Matter At Made in the West, we know that storytelling is a powerful way to build connection, visibility and pride — especially in the suburbs where creativity often flies under the radar. *Stories From Here* is all about celebrating where we live and the people who make our communities great. At Made in the West, we’ve spent over a decade championing emerging creatives from Western Sydney. With *Stories From Here*, we’re bringing that mission to the streets — one suburb at a time. By giving Cranebrook residents the tools to tell their own stories, we’re creating a local story map reflects the diversity, resilience and creativity of the people who call it home. ![Girl with phone camera learning](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Girl%20with%20phone%20camera%20learning.jpg?width=1280&height=853&name=Girl%20with%20phone%20camera%20learning.jpg) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Who can apply?** Anyone who lives in Penrith! No experience needed — just a good story or a willingness to discover one. **Does it cost anything?** Nope — participation is 100% free, thanks to support from Penrith City Council. **What kind of story can I tell?** Anything that celebrates local life — people, places, music, memories, community initiatives, or creative journeys. We’ll help you shape it into something great. **Do I need a fancy camera?** No — a phone is totally fine! We’ll show you how to capture great footage with what you’ve got. **When are the workshops?** Workshops will start in March2026 and will take place in Cranebrook. Exact dates will be confirmed with selected participants based on their preferences. ## Get Involved If you live in Cranebrook and you’ve got a story to tell — or if you know someone who does — now is the time to step forward. Apply now to [register your interest HERE](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/stories-from-here) Places are limited — EOI is open now until 31 January 2026. If you’re ready to get creative, learn something new, and put your suburb on the map, we want to hear from you!   ![Misty McPhail](https://24105364.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24105364/MistyMcPhail_headshot_square.png) [**Misty McPhail** Misty McPhail is a producer, strategist and community arts leader with over 15 years’ experience driving creative projects across Western Sydney. As Managing Director of Made in the West Creative, she leads business development, partnerships and strategic operations, with a clear focus on social impact and sustainability. Misty has organised Made in the West Film Festival since its early days and has transformed it into one of Western Sydney’s flagship cultural events. With a strong background in communications, community engagement and festival production, she has built a strong network of emerging creatives and industry collaborators. She is passionate about storytelling, local talent and reshaping who gets seen on screen, and is leading Made in the West’s purpose-driven mission and evolution into a social enterprise.](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/author/misty-mcphail) ### Related blog posts [Western Sydney](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/western-sydney) [Local filmmakers](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/local-filmmakers) [Community impact](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/community-impact) [Diversity on Screen](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/diversity-on-screen) [Documentary](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/documentary) [Inclusive filmmaking](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/inclusive-filmmaking) [Live events](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/live-events) [Film licensing](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/film-licensing) [Social Impact](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/social-impact) [community](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/community) [Creative Industries](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/creative-industries) [Diversity on Set](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/diversity-on-set) [Film Production](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/film-production) [Internships](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/internships) [Leadership](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/leadership) [Live streaming](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/live-streaming) [Mentorship](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/mentorship) [Penrith](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/penrith) [Social Enterprise](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/social-enterprise) [Success stories](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/success-stories) [Video Series](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/video-series) [Workshops](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/tag/workshops) ## Related **blog posts** ![](https://24105364.fs1.hubspotusercontent-ap1.net/hubfs/24105364/Movie%20FAS%20o.jpg) **Licensing Films for Local Screenings** In a recent article, we shared how we've transformed a decade of Made in the West Film Festival content into a... Read more ![](https://24105364.fs1.hubspotusercontent-ap1.net/hubfs/24105364/Year%20in%20Review%20-%20example%20CMC%20intern%20report.jpg) **Building Industry Career Internships** At a time when emerging creatives face increasing barriers to entry, Made in the West Creative has been quietly... Read more ![](https://24105364.fs1.hubspotusercontent-ap1.net/hubfs/24105364/Meetup%20crowd%20SXSW%202024-1.png) **Indie Filmmaker Meetup at SXSW** Three years strong and still going! We’re pleased to announce that Made in the West Creative is returning to SXSW... Read more [![Made in the West BOLD logo white 400px](https://24105364.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/24105364/Made%20in%20the%20West%20BOLD%20logo%20white%20400px.png)](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/madeinthewestcreative.com.au/home) We acknowledge that the land we call Western Sydney, where we are proud to work and create community, is Dharug country. We give thanks to our elders and the traditional custodians of the Dharug, Dharawal and Gundungarra lands that make up the Greater Western Sydney region.   * ©* *2025 Made in the West Creative Pty Ltd.  All rights reserved.* **SYDNEY** PO Box 794, Penrith NSW 2751 **PERTH** PO Box 543, South Fremantle WA 6162 ABN: 79 665 735 599 [Privacy Policy](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/privacy-policy)![Penrith-Valley-Chamber-logo](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/Penrith-Valley-Chamber-logo.png?width=103&height=103&name=Penrith-Valley-Chamber-logo.png)![SocialTraders_CertificationLogo_Outlined_Blue_RGB](https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/SocialTraders_CertificationLogo_Outlined_Blue_RGB.png?width=104&height=120&name=SocialTraders_CertificationLogo_Outlined_Blue_RGB.png) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Misty McPhail", "url" : "https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/author/misty-mcphail" }, "dateModified" : "2026-07-17T08:02:32.085Z", "datePublished" : "2025-12-16T02:15:00.000Z", "headline" : "Stories From Here EOI Opens", "image" : [ "https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/hubfs/Stories%20From%20Here_Lead%20Image.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/articles/stories-from-here", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://madeinthewestcreative.com.au/hubfs/Logos/Made%20in%20the%20West%20BlackBlack.png" }, "name" : "Made in the West" } } ```