We have received a much higher number of entries this year, thanks to our Academy Awards� accreditation, and the quality is outstanding. Looking at the geographic spread though, there is a decidedly North Island-centric focus. We're not sure if this is because of a northern drift of filmmaking talent, or some kind of un-dead plague south of the Cook Strait resulting in filmmakers going into hiding. Either way, we are taking drastic action and slashing our entry fee for South Island filmmakers. Filmmakers with projects set in the South Island, or that have a writer, director, producer or main actor who currently resides there are eligible for free entry for the month of May. To find out if you can qualify for the fee waiver, or to enter your short film, go here. Festival Director Gina Dellabarca says, "We'd like to see the glaciers and Southern Alps on screen, hear some emotional earthquake survival stories, visit with aging potters from Nelson, and smoke dope with paranoid Otago students in their basements. I want to programme some hard hitting debates about why we should call your homeland 'Te Wai Pounamu' versus 'The Mainland'. I am interested in the history of Chinese minors from Arrowtown; Especially un-dead ones that are now hunting tourists on Mount Aoraki. I NEED to see the elusive moa you've been hiding from us North Islanders." Stop us making up stereotypes about you? Enter your short film. Contact: Heidi North-Bailey, Festival Coordinator Show Me Shorts Film Festival Trust, PO Box 6685, Wellesley St, Akld 1-26 Putiki Street, Grey Lynn, Akld www.showmeshorts.co.nz |