The winners of the Show Me Shorts Film Festival were announced last night at the Rialto Channel Opening Night and Awards Ceremony at the Capital Cinema in Auckland.

The winners of the Show Me Shorts Film Festival were announced last night at the Rialto Channel Opening Night and Awards Ceremony at the Capital Cinema in Auckland.

Joe Lonie’s Honk If You’re Horny picked up the coveted Rush Munro’s Best Film Award as well as the SDGNZ Best Director Award. As New Zealand’s only film festival with Academy Award accreditation, Honk if You’re Horny is now eligible for entry into the Academy Awards 2014.

This year’s festival features a truly impressive collection of films both from New Zealand and abroad, which tell a range of stories that will make you laugh and cry. The festival opens in Wellington on Thursday 17^th November and then travels around the country. You’ll find all the details at www.showmeshorts.co.nz.

Judging this year’s Show Me Shorts awards were: writer and screen director Kirstin Marcon; award-winning journalist and film reviewer Frances Morton, and last year’s joint winner of the Best Film Award, producer Matt Noonan. Experienced motion-picture colourist Pete Williams also stepped in as a guest judge to decide the new RPM Pictures Best Colourist Award.

Here’s a list of the winners and runners-up, including a comment from the judges. Congratulations to all.

Winner: Walter Lawry, Blind Mice

Runners-up/Finalists: Troy Blackman, Coloured; Beyond Wen, The Education of Ming Ming

Comment: The judges commended the ambition of all three finalists, for taking a risk and tackling difficult subjects. They thought Blind Mice wouldn’t be out of place in the main competition this year, given its competent direction and execution.

Winner: Nic Gorman, Here Be Monsters

Runners-up: Joe Lonie, Honk If You’re Horny; Sara Wiseman, Morepork

Comment: Here Be Monsters demonstrates exceptionally tight, tense genre writing with well-drawn characters and emotional depth.

Winner: Thomas Gleeson, Home

Runners-up: Lisa Hough and Dan Jarman, Friday Tigers; Nathan Pickles and Bryan Shaw, Honk If You’re Horny

Comment: Home is a perfect example of stunning editorial storytelling. Gorgeously timed and played out, gradual and profound.

Winner: Jon Newell, Chris Rudkin and Erin Woolhouse, Here Be Monsters

Runners-up: Andrew Brown, Airmail; Clare Burlinson, The Present

Comment: Here Be Monsters was a beautifully graded film that enhanced the cinematography with a lovely mixed colour palette, from dusty warmth in some of the outside scenes to a rich, contrasty evening feel in the interiors. The subtle use of the vignette technique cleverly pulls you into the centre of the frame.

Winner: John Chrisstoffels, Here Be Monsters

Runners-up: Max Bellamy, Home; Duncan Cole, Honk If You’re Horny

Comment: There was great photography in all three finalists, which were very different in style. Here Be Monsters’ photography made the most of its location and production design, and all elements worked in harmony. It transported the judges into a post-apocalyptic world.

Winner: Michael Rittmannsberger and Simon Baumgartner, Abgestempelt (Punched)

Runners-up: Christoph Kuschnig, Hatched; Robert Hloz, Numbers; Toon Aerts, Perfect Drug

Comment: Abgestempelt (Punched) is an engaging, well-acted, completely believable piece of cinema. This taut, contemporary tale of preconceptions features subtle, nuanced performances and economical storytelling.

Winner: Andy Anderson, Honk If You’re Horny

Runners-up: Chelsie Preston Crayford, Here Now; Jessica Robinson, Here Be Monsters

Comment: The judges had a lot of trouble narrowing the field down, and were impressed by a wide range of performances. In Honk if You’re Horny, Andy Anderson was gripping, humorous and left an indelible impression.

Winner: Joe Lonie, Honk If You’re Horny

Runners-up: Nic Gorman and Paul Glubb, Here Be Monsters; Thomas Gleeson, Home

Comment: Joe Lonie has directed a risky, courageous, expertly controlled film. He shows a unique, confident vision, and this film’s unashamedly playful spirit is infectious for the audience.

Winner: Matt Heath, Anna Geddes, Cass Donaldson and Joe Lonie, Honk If You’re Horny

Runners-up: Nic Gorman and Paul Glubb, Here Be Monsters; Thomas Gleeson, Home; Tanya Haitoua-Cathro, Morepork

Comment: Honk If You’re Horny surprised the judges with a wild, sexy ride. Every element and every creative department shines. It’s good to see New Zealand’s broader urban culture in the spotlight, and to give voice to such an instantly identifiable character without resorting to cliché. We hope to see more from this creative team.

Winner: Thomas Gleeson, Home

Comment: Home is a unique and original film. It takes an idea that’s quite specific and captures a universal experience that’s emotionally affecting. It invites us to think about who we are, where we are and what makes a home.