Show Me Shorts 2024 announced their winners:
Vea Mafile'o, Eldon Booth and Alex Lovell took home the coveted Department of Post Best NZ Film Award for Lea Tupu'anga (Mother Tongue) – a dramatic short about a young speech therapist disconnected from her Tongan heritage. The jury chose this film: ”For its emotional impact, artistic excellence, and cultural significance. The director has guided a talented cast and crew who delivered an authentic and emotionally rich story with themes that resonate widely." Congrautlations!
The Short Film Spirit Award was presented to Associate Professor Shuchi Kothari who is an award winning short and feature filmmaker, and an academic teaching Screen Production at the University of Auckland. This award is presented in recognition of Professor Kothari’s support of short film makers over many years as a mentor, coach, teacher, script advisor and friend. Festival Director Gina Dellabarca commented: “Professor Kothari has contributed her time, expertise and mauri to a huge number of New Zealand short film makers, resulting in vastly more professional and successful films. We acknowledge and honour her contribution to the New Zealand screen industry with this award.” We applaud Shuchi on her much-deserved acknowledgements!
Jury members were generous in their praise of all the nominated films, saying: “The finalists demonstrate the range of stories that can be showcased in the short film format. A reflection of the diversity and richness of our culture here in Aotearoa.”
See the full list of winners, here.