Westgate

“Over the course of a single day, an Italian-Australian single mother in Melbourne’s working-class west must draw on all her resources as she confronts the ghosts of her past. In Westgate, award-winning writer/director Adrian Ortega turns his gaze to the unsung multicultural communities who have shaped the city for generations. It’s a milieu he knows well: as a first-generation Australian from an Italian/Spanish migrant family, he was, like Julian, raised by his single mother in the western suburbs. Ortega’s sophomore feature is anchored by rich period detail as well as a tightly framed aspect ratio that imbues the story with greater intimacy.” - MIFF 2025

Writer/Director: Adrian Ortega
Producers: Adrian Ortega, Danaë Grieef
Executive Producers: Adrian Ortega, Senie Priti, Patrick Jennings, Danaë Grieef, Shaun Miller
Co-Producers: Senie Priti, Lee Galea
Director of Photography: Tavis Pinnington
Production Designer: Erin Mackellin
Colourist: Tim Morton
Sound Designer: Gunay Demirci

Starring:
Sarah Nicolazzo
Max Nappo
Rosa Nix
Hannah Sims