PROJECTS

Auburn International Film and Video Festival for Children and Young Adults

flEXiff 2002-2022

SHORT SOUP

Fellowship 2003-2005

International Exchange

ICYMAN

Major Sponsors

PARRAMATTA RIVERSIDE THEATRES

CINEWEST Ltd.

Board Directors

President: Lex Marinos

Vice president: Khaled Sabsabi

Tresurer: Scott O'Hara

Director: Jane Mills

Director: Soheyla Gholamshahi

Founder/Executive Director: Vahid Vahed

Staff

Artistic Director: Vahid Vahed

Administrator: Lucy Skinnerkoff

CINEWEST Ltd.

History

Since 1974 Auburn Community Development Network has been initiating and cultivating community projects with greater understanding of the social, cultural, economical and political concerns in the Auburn LGA. Establishing organizations such as 'Auburn Migrant Resource Center' and 'Auburn Youth Center' were direct responses to these needs. These initiatives were developed and supported by ACDN within the past two decades and since 1999 'CINEWEST multimedia' was established as an association, in order to promote and implement CCD (Community Cultural Development) initiatives and screen culture through 'Audience Development, Skills and Professional Development and Multimedia programs' amongst children and youth in the western Sydney region. In April 2003, CINEWEST became a company limited by guarantee and its board of directors was appointed.

What is CINEWEST?

CINEWEST is company limited by guarantee responsible for organizing arts and cultural activities through CCD practices and screen culture initiatives with local and regional focus. Its volunteer Board of Directors consist of professionals who are practicing artists, educator, community development consultant, business managers or/and members of artistic or cultural organizations, from the Western Sydney region and beyond.

CINEWEST aims to achieve a greater understanding of arts and cultural practices as well as to promote diversity in cultural and artistic expressions in the Auburn LGA and Western Sydney. CINEWEST is a direct result of community cultural development practices undertaken by ACDN and Multicultural Community Arts Workers in Auburn for the past 8 years. Therefore, this organization will remain loyal to its infrastructure and implement community cultural development initiatives through arts and screen culture practice in the Western Sydney region.

CINEWEST will encourage community artists and organizations to enhance their artistic visions as well as to cooperate in cross-cultural / cross-art form initiatives and activities in Western Sydney. CINEWEST will also act as a role model for various arts and cultural institutions in Western Sydney in promoting the area and its population as the second largest growing region in Australia.

Where is CINEWEST?

CINEWEST is located at 47a Harrow Road Auburn Western Sydney NSW 2144 for the next 12 months, whilst envisaging partners and new premise with more community access multimedia and arts facilities. CINEWEST will lobby Sydney Olympic Park for it permanent nest in the year 2003-4, as well as considering other options in fund raising such as Arts Strategy for Western Sydney an initiative by the NSW Ministry for the Arts, NSWFTO and Australia Council for the Arts.

What are CINEWEST aims and objectives?

1. Provide assistance to children, youth, community artists, artistic groups and artists from culturally diverse Backgrounds to address social, cultural, economical and political issues in Western Sydney through cross-arts practice.
2. Research, lobby and advocate the needs of children, youth and diverse communities for artistic and cultural expressions in the Western Sydney region through CCD and Screen Culture activities.
3. Create an infrastructure to challenge the notions and parameters of mainstream arts practice in relation to the community's perception of arts practice.
4. Present and Promote Australian unseen contemporary arts and culture nationally and internationally, contributing to the global recognition that Australia is one of the most diverse communities in the world.
5. Encourage partnerships in artistic projects between local, regional, national and international artists, promote curatorial exchange and international residency initiatives.
6. Work in partnership with local, national and international organizations, which have similar aims and objectives.

What are CINEWEST on-going projects?

1- Auburn International Film and Video Festival for Children and Young Adults
2- The First and the Last International Experimental Film Festival (flEXiff 2002-2022)
3- School multimedia and video workshops
4- Audience Development (CINEMATHEQUE)
5- Exchange and curatorial Programs
6- CCD and Screen culture activities (Skills and professional development) 'aRt eXperimenta C31'
7- CINEWEST interactive website (2003-4)

Who Supports CINEWEST?

Community artists from diverse cultural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, arts and cultural organizations in Western Sydney, local and regional councils, schools, students, national and international arts organizations are supporters of this initiative.

The NSW Ministry For the Arts, the Australia Council for the Arts, Reading Entertainment, Auburn Council, Parramatta City Council, the NSW Film and Television Office, the Parramatta Riverside Theatres, ELECTROBOARD, Australian Television Equipment, Independent Filmmakers Magazine, Artspace, Auburn Community Development Network, the Australian Museum, CIFEJ, UNESCO, Reelmind.com, Artswest CCDNSW, Sydney Olympic Park Authority and the Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo are among the sponsors and supporters of CINEWEST on-going projects.