Aho Shorts Production Funding: Applications Open

They are seeking creative teams who demonstrate readiness for creative leadership, alongside distinct, self-aware voices that reflect the richness of Māori worldviews and the depth of Aotearoa storytelling. This opportunity is open to filmmakers at all levels, but applicants should be clear in their long-term intent to pursue storytelling as a career.

To be competitive for production funding, applicants will need to demonstrate they:

• Have proven capacity as Storytellers: Evidenced through a cohesive, well thought out proposal with appropriate supporting material and strong CVs. For emerging applicants, the emphasis is on storytelling craft rather than filmmaking experience, and applicants are welcome to draw on any skills, practice, or experience that have helped shape their storytelling voice and vision.
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• Show strong vision and voice: Evidenced through a well developed script with a highly focused central idea, a curious or urgent opening, a clear protagonist and an impactful ending. The broader theme, meaning or intent should be clearly articulated in the Writer's Statement.
  
  Strong vision and voice will also be evidenced through a compelling director’s proof of concept, track record and/or strong supporting creative materials. They want to understand how the director sees the film in detail - not only the overall tone, style or theme, but the practical filmmaking choices that will bring it to life on screen. Applicants should aim to be specific about elements such as visual style, camera approach, framing, movement, performance tone, pacing, sound, music, production design and the use of location or atmosphere. Specials such as stunts, VFX or the like should also be addressed. Strong comparables can help where they clearly illuminate the proposed approach.
  
  The producer should demonstrate a strong understanding of both the writer’s script and intention, and the director’s vision and voice, and an ability to maintain cohesion across the key creative team

• Establish that this is the right team to tell this story, at this time: Including clear roles, capability and kaupapa alignment
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• Commit to the Aho Shorts filmmaker community: Participate in the Aho Shorts community of filmmakers so that we can build a resilient and connected Māori filmmaking community

• ‍Applications Open: Monday, 16 March at 9am NZST
• Applications Close: Friday, 24 April at 5pm NZST
• Successful Applicants Notified By: Sunday, 31 May
• In-Person Wānanga: 13-14 June in Auckland