WIFT NZ Exec. Director Back in NZ

Posted Tuesday 12 Jul 2011

WIFT NZ Executive Director, Susi Newborn, finally made it back home early Friday morning last week, after having been stuck in Buenos Aires for several days due to the volcanic ash cloud.  Susi was attending the prestigious XIII FICA film festival in a World Heritage Site in the Ciudade de Goias, a small 18th century town in the centre of Goias, a central Brazilian state the size of Germany.  The film she was representing - The Rainbow Warriors of Waiheke Island - won the coveted Award for Best Feature Film - beating 2011 Academy Award nominee Waste Land and several other international award-winning films. The trophy, which Susi carried all the way back to New Zealand, weighed over 2 kilos and came with a 15.000 Euros cash prize.  Susi noted that out of the 26 films in competition, only 4 had women attached as producer/director and they were all from Europe. A highlight of the trip for Susi was meeting favourite musician Manu Chao, who played a 4-hour concert to celebrate the FICA winners.  Susi is working with friends in the music business to see if there is a way of bringing Manu and his band to New Zealand this Summer.

An interview Susi did with Waiheke Radio, just before she left, can he heard here

Susi would like to extend a huge thanks to Emmy, Nia and Susan for holding the fort while Susi was away and a special 'shout out' to Vice President Teresa Brown for being so available and supportive to the office during this period.