After selling out theatres across the country at Whānau Mārama New Zealand International Film Festival, the micro-budget feature film, Notes from a Fish, is set for a limited theatrical release.
The screwball-comedy-mystery follows a would-be novelist’s creative drought which turns chaotic when his muse, a psychic fish, disappears and drags him into a journey of bizarre misadventures with an unstable fisheries officer.
NZIFF Head Programmer, Michael McDonnell reflected on the film's success at NZIFF as being “The sleeper comedy hit of this year’s film festival”, with multiple sell-outs and encore screenings to meet demand.
The film will now return to New Zealand screens in select theaters throughout Auckland, Hamilton, Coromandel, Wellington and Christchurch from December 2nd.
Made with a micro-budget of $10,000 and a tiny crew of four personnel, Notes From a Fish is the sophomore feature from Tom Levesque (Shut Eye, NZIFF 2022, MIFF 2023) and producer Eva Trebilco (Shut Eye), marking the co-directorial debut of Romy Hooper, who also stars.
Blending deadpan humour, emotional truths and offbeat storytelling, Notes from a Fish features Kiwi screen icons Tom Sainsbury (Loop Track), Yvette Parsons (Educators), Morgana O’Reilly (The White Lotus), Mark Mitchinson (M3GAN), Adam Gardiner (Sparticus), Arlo Gibson (Nude Tuesday), John Leigh (The Lord of the Rings), Dan Watterson (Whina) and Elisabeth Easther (The Brokenwood Mysteries).
Recent Toi Whakaari graduate, Emilio Mancilla, takes the lead in his first major feature role, alongside Hooper (Sweet Tooth) as Charlie, an eccentric ex-Fisheries Officer.
Writer and director Tom Levesque says: “We were blown away with the reception at NZIFF, so it’s terrific to know that even more Kiwi audiences will get the chance to experience this strange journey about a writer and his psychic fish that packs a ton of heart”.
Producer Eva Trebilco believes this film is the laugh that New Zealand audiences need before the Christmas break. “While so many Kiwis are doing it tough, and when the world feels pretty dark, we need something to lift our spirits and laugh again. Notes from a Fish offers a zany reminder that even when we get lost, there’s always a way back to finding our unique creative spark.”
Notes from a Fish will be also be screening with filmmaker Q&A’s at the following cinemas from December 3rd
- The Hollywood (Auckland),
- The Academy (Auckland),
- The Vic (Auckland),
- Takapuna Beachside Cinemas (Auckland),
- The Lido (Hamilton)
- The Roxy (Wellington),
- The Lumiere (Christchurch).
The project gratefully received Finishing Funds from The New Zealand Film Commission to complete post production and prepare the film for its theatrical release.