WIFT member and Documentary producer Emily Anderson has been overwhelmed by support from the arts community for her film about the Queen Mary Hospital in Hanmer Springs. Top New Zealand artists including Grahame Sydney, Stanley Palmer, Phil Price, Llew Summers and Philip Trusttum have donated works for a fundraising Art Auction to be held at Redcliffs School in Christchurch on Sunday August 22nd.
"It's an extraordinary response from highly creative individuals, everyone we approached said 'Yes'," says Anderson. "So many great stories have been told during this journey and I'm amazed at the number of people touched by their experience or connection with the 'Queen'."
Anderson has worked as associate producer, researcher and production manager on six television documentaries for TVNZ and TV3. Her earlier career was as freelance producer of digital media and corporate videos in New Zealand and California.
Ten major pieces will go under auctioneer Craig Prier's hammer and a silent auction will be held for thirty smaller works including photography and ceramics. The afternoon also features live entertainment, an exhibition of photographs and information from Queen Mary Hospital as well as a 'truly sumptuous' afternoon tea. Funds raised will be used to purchase archival footage, film recreations, record waiata for the soundtrack and for marketing and distribution. Applications are being submitted to the NZ Film Commission and Creative New Zealand, while the documentary also has the backing of the Hurunui District Council, which now manages the Queen Mary site.
For more information about the film please visit the Queen Mary Film website.