The Western

THE WESTERN x MAGNIFY PODCAST – PART 2: Magnify Highlights

The Western is here to bring you more coverage of Blacktown Arts’ Magnify program! From June 1-3, locals and guests alike had the opportunity to celebrate art, food, and connection across Blacktown City. Exciting highlights include the Opening Smoke Ceremony with Uncle Wes, the spectacular Blacktown Shorts Film Festival at Blacktown Skyline Drive-in, and a table read of HANAP at Fiesta Avenue. This is Part 2 of our exclusive coverage of Magnify, a weekend-long multi-disciplinary arts program. Listen back to Part 1 of our special presentation to hear exclusive interviews with artists from Magnify! BLACKTOWN ARTS Instagram: @blacktownarts Website: blacktownarts.com.au Hosted and edited by Nicole Cadelina (@ni.muy) Intro music by Amorist (@_deathtonostalgia_) Additional music by Magic Solo via artlist.io Recorded on unceded Darug land.

THE WESTERN x MAGNIFY PODCAST – PART 1: Ian Esky & Reg Azwar, Rizcel Gagawanan & Mark Mariano

The Western is excited to be teaming up with Blacktown Arts again to cover their exciting Magnify program this year! Listen to Part 1 of our special presentation, where we feature two exclusive interviews with artists who presented at Magnify 2023. We caught up with artist and comedian Ian “Esky” Escandor, who is joined by emerging filmmaker Reg Azwar to discuss their newest collaboration In Search of the White Deer (3:10). The short doco premiered at Blacktown Shorts Film Festival, a film program founded by local screen creative Vonne Patiag. We got to know Esky and Reg’s interests in film, along with their story behind the humorous and heartfelt film project We then chatted with Filipinx baddies Rizcel Gagawanan and Mark Mariano, who teamed up together for HANAP, an intimate but laugh-out-loud play about Filipinos in diaspora (30:43). In preparation for their table reading at Fiesta Avenue, we talked about the origins of their theatre project, what it means to represent yourself in writing and performance through collectivity. Don’t forget to listen to Part 2 to hear some exclusive highlights from Magnify 2023! GUESTS Ian “Esky” Escandor: @esky.esk Reg Azwar: @regxazr Mark Mariano: @markusmuch Rizcel Gagawanan: @rizcel.ako BLACKTOWN ARTS Instagram: @blacktownarts Website: blacktownarts.com.au Recorded on unceded Darug land. First interview recorded at Street University Mount Druitt on May 29 2023. Second interview recorded at Blacktown Arts on June 2 2023. Hosted and edited by Nicole Cadelina (@ni.muy) Intro music by Amorist (@_deathtonostalgia_) Additional music by Magic Solo via artlist.io

THE WESTERN PRESENTS - EP02: Sereen Omran

Sereen Omran is a Muslim musician, filmmaker, and TikTokker based in Padstow, who directed and wrote her debut short film, Towel Head. A musical comedy-drama set in Southwest Sydney, Sereen’s film reflects on the adversities faced by female Muslim artists, while also promoting messages of empowerment through self-love for one’s identity. We chat with the multi-talented artist about her early experiences with cinema, her influences for Towel Head, and the importance of good self-representation in Western media. A must-listen for Western Sydney filmmakers! Towel Head is available to watch for FREE on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFEYbloCCeI SEREEN OMRAN Instagram/TikTok: @sereensounds Hosted and edited by Nicole Cadelina (@ni.muy) Music by Amorist (@_deathtonostalgia_) Original recording date: June 24, 2021