Ten minutes with Kari Skogland

Posted Sunday 06 Aug 2017

What's with the trend for feature directors moving to television? Director Kari Skogland discusses this and her incredible career and process in this 10-minute vid.

From writing and directing feature films, Kari Skogland has become one of the most sought-after television directors in th…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/ten-minutes-with-kari-skogland/

Ever The Land continues to make waves

Posted Sunday 06 Aug 2017

Sarah Grohnert's doco, Ever The Land, about the remarkable Tuhoe building is still going strong internationally, two years after first hitting the festival circuit.

Ever The Land explores the sublime bond between people and their land through a landmark architectural undertaking by one of New…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/ever-the-land-continues-to-make-waves/

Diverse voices sought for screenplay competition

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

Does your story, your characters or your project give voice to underrepresented perspectives? Then this opportunity is for you.

The WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Screenwriting Competition is now open. The organisers looking for writers who can provide new and diverse perspectives for Hollywood through their experiences and char…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/diverse-voices-sought-for-screenplay-competition/

Ticket giveaway: In Between

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

In Between 1

It's another double-giveaway week, and we begin with a window into a rarely seen world.

Director Maysaloun Hamoud's remarkable debut feature, In Between, is an energetic drama about three strong young Palestinian-Israeli women, sharing a flat in Tel Aviv. Existing flatmat…

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Be heard at the Screen Industry Election Forum

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

Well, hasn't next month's election become a whole lot more interesting lately?!

Headlines aside, with the 2017 General Election around the corner, it is important for the screen industry and its associated partners to understand the vision and commitment of parties towards facilitating a …

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The early bird gets the cheaper Doc Edge entry fee

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

How soon the deadlines start rolling around again! The folk at Doc Edge are already planning hard for the 2018 festival, and the early-bird deadline for entries is September 15, 2017.

Doc Edge Festival is New Zealand's only and Australasia's premiere international documentary film fes…

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Save the date, WIFT awards 2018

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

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A picture can say a thousand words, but this time we feel the need to add a few extra...

We're looking forward to a great party! Meanwhile, start thinking about who you want to nominate; we will be opening the call for nominat…

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Video slot: Kezia Barnett

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

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This week's video slot showcases the work of Kezia Barnett, and what an atmosphere this piece of work creates. Here's how Kezia describes it:

"When Shayne Carter approached Kezia Barnett to make a film to accompany his mesmerising single 'I Know Not Where I Stand', …

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/video-slot-kezia-barnett/

Ticket giveaway: Studio Ghibli extravaganza

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

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Ghiblites? Ghiblians? Either way, there'll be plenty of fans lining up at Celebrate Studio Ghibli, the first time the complete 22-film Studio Ghibli catalogue has screened in New Zealand and Australian cinemas.

From the wildly imaginative fantasy of HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE and the Oscar�…

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Industry-night discount for A Doll's House

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

Wellingtonians, what are you doing this Thursday? You're going to Circa, right? Director Katherine McRae is inviting all WIFTers to Industry Night (with a discounted ticket price) of the Emily Perkins adaptation of A Doll's House.

Nora Helmer has it all: a successful and attr…

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NZFC releases Statement of Intent 2017-2021

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

NZFC is working hard to make the planets align. No, really.

The organisation has just released its Statement of Intent, reflecting the strategic objectives for the four-year period from 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2021 - and there's an extended planetary metaphor goi…

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A warm welcome to new WIFTers

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

Nearly 50 new members have joined in the past few months, so it's about time we officially gave them a shout-out... Kia oraaaaa!

To all members, remember that WIFT is here to work towards your best interests. Let us know your triumphs so w…

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Roseanne Liang among NZIFF NZ's Best winners

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

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Congratulations to the winners of NZIFF's sixth annual New Zealand's Best short film competition, announced last Saturday - especially Roseanne Liang, who took out the 2017 Audience Award for her action-drama short Do No Harm.

In Liang's film, a doctor abides by her Hippocra…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/roseanne-liang-among-nziff-nz-s-best-winners/

A job lot of... jobs

Posted Monday 07 Aug 2017

Layout + Dressing Artist
Huhu Studios has a position available for an experienced and highly competent Dressing + Layout Artist working on an international feature film.

Media Operator - Auckland
New Zealand Racing Board is looking for a Media Operator to help in the d…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/a-job-lot-of-jobs/

Important update from NZ TV Awards

Posted Thursday 17 Aug 2017

Get your skates on folks, entries for the NZ TV Awards close this Friday!

Due to popular demand, there's been a change to the Best Presenter category which has been split into two categories: Best Presenter Entertainment and Best Presenter News and Current Affairs.…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/important-update-from-nz-tv-awards/

Impressive wins for sci fi web series

Posted Thursday 17 Aug 2017

Congratulations to writer/producer Tanya Wheeler - her children's sci-fi web series RESET took out Best Web Series at the Los Angeles Web Series Festival Global 2017.

Tanya says the win was unexpected, as shows from the Children's category rarely win Best Web Series, and…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/impressive-wins-for-sci-fi-web-series/

Support needed for young film makers' workshops

Posted Thursday 17 Aug 2017

Maoriland Rangitahi

WIFT member Libby Hakaraia, director of the Maoriland Film Festival, is asking for support from WIFTers to send 14 young Kiwis to lead Through Our Lens, a series of youth film making workshops in the Pacific.

These rangitahi (youth) were chosen for their lea…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/support-needed-for-young-film-makers-workshops/

Q&A: Gaylene Preston on My Year with Helen, resilience, and why outrage can be invigorating

Posted Thursday 17 Aug 2017

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Determined, outspoken, resilient, used to getting things done� in many ways, Gaylene Preston and Helen Clark are cut from the same cloth.

WIFT member Gaylene directed, co-produced and co-photographed My Year with Helen, which travels alongside former prime minister Helen Clark as s…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/q-a-gaylene-preston-on-my-year-with-helen-resilience-and-why-outrage-can-be-invigorating/

Last chance for Story Camp applications

Posted Sunday 20 Aug 2017

Calling all feature film scriptwriters! Here's your chance for a five-day workshop tailored to meet the development needs of your feature film project.

Filmmaker and artistic director of the Sundance Directors' Lab, Gyula Gazdag will be on the workshop team, along with talented local WI…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/last-chance-for-story-camp-applications/

McIntosh wins at Melbourne Film Festival

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

Congratulations to Zoe McIntosh, whose short film The World In Your Window won the Cinema Nova and the MIFF Award for Best Fiction Short Film at the Melbourne Film Festival.

The Jury said Zoe's film "uses images, movement and light in original and often ench…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/mcintosh-wins-at-melbourne-film-festival/

Apply now for Berlinale Talents 2018

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

Applications are open for Berlinale Talents 2018, the renowned Berlinale Festival's industry programme for professionals in the first decade of their careers.

Berlinale Talents is the annual summit and networking platform of the Berlin International Film Festival. The summit involves panel discussions, workshops, case s…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/apply-now-for-berlinale-talents-2018/

Free guides to TV pitching

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

Want to know how to pitch your ideas for TV? These free BBC Academy guides take you through all stages of the process. Developing ideas for TV can be tough, so follow advice from some of the UK's leading TV executives, producers and commissioners.

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/free-guides-to-tv-pitching/

Facebook announces Watch service

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

Are we ready for Facebook TV? The social media giant sure thinks so, announcing a new Watch service which will enable users to view a range of shows, and comment on them, pitting it against the likes of Amazon and YouTube. Read more he…

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Where There Is Life to screen at the Lighthouse

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

After three sold-out sessions at the New Zealand International Film Festival, Gwen Isaac's documentary Where There is Life will be screening at the Lighthouse Petone.

The screening kicks off on 27 August, with a Q+A after the first session. Isaac's documentary follows the journ…

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Three-minute shorts showcase NZ's diversity

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

Dancing coffin-makers, an artist who sells 'surreal estate', a takat?pui activist redefining Pride and the world's cutest kea conservation dog: this year's collection of three-minute shorts released by New Zealand documentary platform Loading Docs (produced by the good folk at Notable Pictures) showcases w…

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WIFT members elected to NZCS Committee

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

We're delighted to hear that Chloe Smith, Nina Wells and Cushla Lewis, have been elected to the New Zealand Cinematographers Society committee.

The three bring a range of skills to the NZCS table: Lewis has extensive experience as a news and documentary cinematographer, whil…

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Lion scriptwriter for masterclass at the Big Screen Symposium

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

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Award-winning screenwriter, novelist and poet Luke Davies will deliver a writing masterclass at this year's Big Screen Symposium. Australian-born, LA-based Davies is most notably recognised for his BAFTA winning screenplay Lion and his novel and film adaptation Candy. The BSS runs from 30 Septem…

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Maori voices sought for NZFC strategy

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

The New Zealand Film Commission is inviting M?ori filmmakers, storytellers and community members to help it explore ways to better support and develop M?ori talent. The NZFC says it wants to "encourage, enable and embrace M?ori aspirations within the sector", is running a serie…

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Not your average 20th birthday bash

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

Fancy a night out listening to tales of youthful woe? Bear with us... You're invited to the Silo Theatre's 20th birthday bash, 20/20, where Silo stars Jason Te Kare, Natalie Medlock, Jackie van Beek and Stephen Lovatt will share their raw, personal and never-to-be-repeated t…

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Accolades for WIFTers film

Posted Monday 21 Aug 2017

A big shoutout to Gaylene Barnes and Kathleen Gallagher! Their film Seven Rivers Walking - Haere M?rire was the top-selling single-screening film at the New Zealand International Film Festival, and its world premiere at Christchurch's Lady Issac Theatre Royal sold out.

The film documents a …

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/accolades-for-wifters-film/

Doc Edge clinic focuses on Telling Stories with Archives

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

What are the copyright rules for using archival material these days? What's the best way to get hold of archival material?

Leading local experts will be answering these questions and more at the upcoming Auckland doc clinic in September, run by Getty Images an…

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Drama offers a thought-provoking night out

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

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Wellington's Circa Theatre is holding an industry night this Thursday - and we reckon it sounds like a thought-provoking night at the theatre.

The featured play is Desiree Gezentsvey's latest work Caging Skies, a must-see psychological drama that examines truth and lies…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/drama-offers-a-thought-provoking-night-out/

Video slot: Lily and Ra

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

A small bird is injured by a small boy who then nurses it back to health. The metaphor for a fractured home life couldn't be more clear in Armagan Ballantyne's short film, Lily & Ra.

The film was made for Art for the Wor…

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Wahine celebrated at Nga Taonga panel tomorrow

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

We're in favour of any event that highlights the awesome work done by women in our industry, so this August 23 event (yep, that's this Wednesday!) looks like one to be at.

Held at Ng? Taonga in Wellington, the evening will look beyond limiting stereot…

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Jobs, jobs and more jobs

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

Senior photographer
Canterbury digital media studio Walkthrough needs a senior photographer for its real estate clients. The job offers variety: you could be filming a million dollar Cashmere mansion one day, and flying drones to capture footage of a hill country sheep station the …

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/jobs-jobs-and-more-jobs/

WIFTers shorts feature in Nga Taonga programme

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

We've just seen the latest programme from Nga Taonga, and a couple of WIFTers have short films featured in two tantalising compilations.

Drama
Sat 26 August, 4.30pm
Showcasing the work of local Wellington filmmakers, the Wellington Public Cinema presents Drama, a selection of intense, em…

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NZ Dance Company's provocative double bill

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

Provocative and poetic - the New Zealand Dance Company's 2017 National Tour of The Absurdity of Humanity is a must-see for dance lovers. Artistic director Shona McCullagh has coupled the striking works of Ross McCormack and Lina Limosani to form a stage-blazing trans-Tasman double bill that premiered to critical acclaim in A…

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Double passes to My Year With Helen

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

It's giveaway time! My Year With Helen opens in NZ cinemas on August 31 and we have 5 double passes up for grabs.

With unique access to high-ranking candidate Helen Clark, award winning filmmaker Gaylene Preston casts a wry eye on proceedings as the United Nation…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/double-passes-to-my-year-with-helen/

Filmmaker So Yong Kim to speak at Big Screen Symposium

Posted Tuesday 22 Aug 2017

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So many WIFTers attend the Big Screen Symposium that we just had to share this hot-off-the-press breaking news: indie filmmaker and writer So Yong Kim will be speaking at the BSS. Known for her intimate films that focus on the human condition, Korean-American …

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/filmmaker-so-yong-kim-to-speak-at-big-screen-symposium/

Round 2 of Seed funding open

Posted Monday 28 Aug 2017

Ding ding! Round 2 of the NZWG Seed grant is open! There's also a new grant called Seed Advanced, specifically for emerging writers who haven't yet written and had produced a feature film. Seed Advanced is aimed at reducing competition between emerging writers and …

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/round-2-of-seed-funding-open/

Opening nights for Show Me Shorts

Posted Thursday 31 Aug 2017

Roll out the pink carpet! The launch parties for Show Me Shorts are a glamorous night out for the short film industry, bringing together short film makers and enthusiasts to toast this community's best and brightest. Be there to celebrate local filmmakers and watch…

/news/news-archive/2017/aug/opening-nights-for-show-me-shorts/

WIFTer success in BlueCat Screenplay Competition

Posted Thursday 31 Aug 2017

Congratulations to WIFTer April Philips (pictured below) whose horror short Rare is a semifinalist in the 2017 BlueCat Screenplay Competition. The film's logline is, "In a dystopian future life is cheap and meat is an unaffordable and rare delicacy. To stay in her ambitious husba…

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