The NZIFF finished in Auckland on Sunday evening after an exhausting but enriching couple of weeks. With an International Film Festival and the Olympics at the same time it would be fair to say it’s been an emotional couple of weeks.

The NZIFF finished in Auckland on Sunday evening after an exhausting but enriching couple of weeks. With an International Film Festival and the Olympics at the same time it would be fair to say it’s been an emotional couple of weeks.

The Festival looked well attended this year, although we won’t know until the end of this week what Auckland’s attendance figures were. We do know the short film programme experienced an increase in audience numbers thanks to the newly introduced Best Short Film Competition, an event which Festival Director Bill Gosden is keen to see continue.

The winner of The Madman Entertainment Jury Prize, a cash prize of $5000 for the Best New Zealand Short Film, was awarded to Lambs, from director Sam Kelly. Lambs was shot in Porirua in 2011 and tells the story of Jimmy, a big hearted fourteen-year-old boy who must make a decision as to whether to stay in his abusive home to look after his younger siblings, or start a new life.

Lambs premiered in competition at the Clermont Ferrand Film Festival in France in January 2012, before going on to play in competition at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. Audiences in Auckland and Wellington also selected Lambs as the winner of The Audience Award.

An impressive 109 films were entered into the competition and it was down to Bill Gosden and fellow festival programmer Michael McDonnell to prepare a shortlist of twelve films. Guest selector and international filmmaker Roger Donaldson then selected six finalists:

43,000 Feet

Director: Campbell Hooper

“Great photography. Very original framing and concept.” – Roger Donaldson

Ellen Is Leaving

Director: Michelle Savill

“I love how original it feels. The details of the travel pack put a real smile on my face. ” – Roger Donaldson

Home

Director: Thomas Gleeson

“A beautifully photographed minimalist documentary.” – Roger Donaldson

Lambs

Director/Screenplay: Sam Kelly

“Really captures a tough uncompromising world in a very compelling way. I loved the central character’s heroism. It reminded me of Once Were Warriors in the best possible way.” – Roger Donaldson

Milk & Honey

Director/Screenplay: Marina Alofagia

“I lived in Ponsonby in the 70s and remember the events portrayed in this film. Very poignant.” – Roger Donaldson

Night Shift

Director/Screenplay: Zia Mandviwalla

“I love this story – it feels so real and packs a real wallop.” – Roger Donaldson

The Madman Entertainment Jury Prize winner was chosen by filmmaker Sima Urale, actress Robyn Malcolm and Madman Entertainment representative Michael Eldred. “Lambs had the biggest heartbeat, a rawness, honesty and a wonderful humanity”, said Eldred.  

Also announced was the winner of The Friends of the Civic Short Film Award for distinctive creative achievement, a cash prize of $3000, was awarded to Home, directed by Thomas Gleeson.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see these short films on the big screen – these directors are the future of filmmaking in New Zealand and they’re a talented bunch. New Zealand’s Best 2012 featuring all six finalists is screening tonight (Thursday 9^th August) and tomorrow night in Dunedin at the NZIFF, and in Christchurch next week on the 17^th and 20^th August. For more information head to www.nzff.co.nz.