Kicking off next week is one of New Zealand’s most respected short film programs, Show Me Shorts. The festival will screen in 12 cinemas around the country, from early November.
Kicking off next week is one of New Zealand’s most respected short film programs, Show Me Shorts. The festival will screen in 12 cinemas around the country, from early November.
The largest short film festival in New Zealand, Show Me Shorts began seven years ago, and aims to put the latest and best short films up on the big screen where they belong.
It now attracts hundreds of entries from New Zealand and around the world, with a handful of films selected each year to screen in the festival, reflecting their high production values and originality. There’s also cash to be won - $20,000 up for grabs over nine awards.
I’ve watched five of the films selected, and if they’re an indication of what to expect then the standard is high this year.
Cedric and Hope is a charming and witty Australian animated short about an ordinary knight’s quest to win back his princess girlfriend – hilarious stuff. 50% Off Mail Order Bride is an impressive short film debut from New Zealand director Alan D. Parr - a clever, funny and well-acted fantastical comedy.
Icelandic filmmaker Omae Orn Hauksson’s Undying Love has its World Premiere at Show Me Shorts. A bloody zombie film with a twist of romance, Undying Love will keep you on your toes, or possibly have you looking at the floor.
Another highlight is New Zealand director Hamish Bennett’s The Dump, a moving and poignant drama about the relationship between a young boy and his father. The Dump has already screened in numerous festivals around the world, including Palm Springs and the Nevada City Film Festival.
While they’re of varying genres and styles - smart, funny, scary, poignant - what they have in common is their directors have been able to tell a story with fully formed characters in a limited time. There’s nothing easy about this – as anyone who has ever written a short story or short film will tell you.
More recently the festival has expanded to include workshops such as the StarNow Short Film Seminars and the 2012 Short Film Lab.
If you’re a short film enthusiast or budding filmmaker, then the StarNow Short Film Seminar is for you. Head along and you’ll hear Alan Parr and Richard Mans tell you about their own experiences making short films.
The Short Film Lab is a little different, offering six emerging filmmakers the opportunity to workshop their short film ideas in a daylong workshop in association with the University of Auckland. The six up-and-coming screenwriters who will participate in the 2012 Short Film Lab are Samuel Behrend, Wendell Cooke, Sam Gill, Sophie Henderson, Briar March and Alan D. Parr.
Give Show Me Shorts a go, the selections are well edited and offer an opportunity to see award winning international films. The films play in themed sessions and you’ll be surprised at just how entertaining and impressive this festival and its filmmakers are.
Show Me Shorts opens on 1 November at the Capital Cinema in Auckland, and 8 November at the Paramount in Wellington. For full info and a list of the awards nominees, take a look at www.showmeshorts.co.nz.