It is fabulous to see four female director/writers in the five short films selected for the Fresh Shorts May 2015 funding round. Of the five films, three are produced by women as well! Special congratulations to WIFT member Paula Jones for making a move into directing drama. Go NZFC - we're happy at WIFT!!
Fresh Shorts is the New Zealand Film Commission's competitive, low-budget short film funding scheme which aims to identify up-and-coming directorial talent who will be part of the next generation of New Zealand feature filmmakers.
The final 5 films were selected from a shortlist of 20 projects that were reviewed by a panel of both industry members and NZFC staff consisting of: Annie Collins (Editor) Whetu Fala (Producer) Mike Jonathan (Director/DOP), Dale Corlett (Head of Talent Development), Bonnie Slater (Professional Development Executive), and Jude McLaren (Talent Pathways Manager). The panel was chaired by Sima Urale (Director).
A second Fresh Shorts submission round is scheduled for 15 October 2015 so mark this date on your calendars!
The successful projects are:
Fresh 10
Misimpressions Of The Ignorant Wise - An OCD still-life painter and his violinist roommate search for an extra roommate to avoid eviction.
Sinead Lau (Director/ Writer), Julian Arahanga (Producer)
Peekaboo - In an abandoned child's nursery home, a dishevelled woman finds herself trapped in a disturbing game of cat and mouse with Davey, an adult baby.
Lillian Beets (Director/ Writer), Tasha Sharp (Producer)
Slice Of Happiness - A wife on the verge of abandoning her family is forced to stay when her husband has a panic attack after brutally beating their neighbour.
Natalie Medlock (Director/ Writer), Katy Medlock (Producer)
Fresh 30
Stuntman - Eleven year old Frank uses the power of his imagination to be a stuntman, but his little sister is determined to do whatever her big brother does.
Pavel Kvatch (Director), Joseph Ryan (Writer), Costa Botes (Producer)
A Matter of Time - A group of students at high school have their external battles - things they seemingly have no control over which give rise to their internal ones.
Paula Jones (Director/ Writer), Mina Mathieson (Producer)