Congratulations to all the award nominees in this year's Show Me Shorts, with a special shout out of course to our Wifty finalists!:
- Jessica Todd
- Tammy Williams
- Alex Farley
- Michele Powels
- Kerry Roggio
Show Me Shorts 2025 celebrates excellence across filmmaking craft and creativity with sixteen films and music videos nominated across eight categories, the most nominated film being When The Geese Flew, directed by Arthur Gay.
Winners will be announced at our annual Awards Ceremony, taking place as part of Vista Foundation Industry Day. Ticket holders to that event can attend the Awards Ceremony and watch the winning films. You can also book tickets to watch the Award Winners collection of short films in Auckland, Katikati, Wellington and Christchurch here.
Full list of Award Nominees is here
And that's not all! Here are all the details for the Vista Foundation Industry day - a big opportunity to hone your filmmaking skills:
Calling short filmmakers, students and anyone interested in learning more about what goes on behind the scenes in making movies. Join us for a day of interactive professional development workshops, filmmaker talks, networking and screenings of short films. Tickets provide entry to all of the following events.
1. Filmmaker Talk*
Learn more about making short films in this moderated discussion with three top short filmmakers. Hear candid stories, watch the short films and get the opportunity to ask questions.
Moderator:
Jack Nicol - Programmer and Marketing & Materials Manager at Show Me Shorts.
Speakers & films screening:
- Alyx Duncan, director of Growing Still
- Chunjing Zhang, director of 立秋 (Untitled) (China)
- Raymond Edwards, director of Ace
Sun 12 Oct, 12:00-1:30 pmAcademy Cinemas, 44 Lorne Street, Auckland
Rating: to be advised
*Tickets to this session are included for Industry Day passholders, but can also be purchased separately.
2. Growing Animation in Aotearoa
The animation sector of New Zealand's screen industry is poised for growth. Driven by a combination of local talent, government support and increasing global collaboration. The emphasis on storytelling and cultural representation continues to make New Zealand a significant player in the animation landscape. How can we foster this growth and position for the future?
Moderator: James Cunningham - award winning animated filmmaker, CG Supervisor.
Speakers:
- Zhang Chunjing - CEO of Beijing Heyday Shunking Culture & Media, a leading Chinese film and television production company recognized for pioneering AI-driven and animation innovations.
- Ryan Cooper - co-founder of Mukpuddy, the Auckland animation studio who recently completed work on Bad Jelly
- Allan George - award winning writer, director, editor and colourist; writer/director of award-winning short Mirumiru.
3. Speed Networking
Structured networking that gets you in front of key programmers and content curators from New Zealand and abroad. Practice pitching your film and meet great people. Afternoon tea is on us.
Table Hosts:
Dale Corlett - Script to Screen, Tui Ruwhiu - DEGANZ, Jaime Smith - Whakaata Maori, Hayley Weston - NZFC, Alix Whittaker - Hot Candle Wave & Candlelit Pictures (Producer), Jim He – NZ China Film Festival, Leela Menon & Fraser Brown – FluroBlack (Producers),
Sonara Southcombe-Wallace – Nga Aha Whakaari
Location: The Classic
4. Casting Top Talent - presented in partnership with DEGANZ
Short films benefit massively from involving high profile talent. Casting can be a daunting prospect for filmmakers starting out. In this panel discussion we hear practical advice about the process for approaching well known actors and rising stars.
Moderator: Mark Prebble - Festival Manager at Show Me Shorts.
Speakers:
- Kate McGill - actor/director/casting director, directed Farm
- Tanea Heke - actor, and Tumuaki & Poutūhono at Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School
- Mike Minogue - actor/casting director
5. Awards Ceremony
Acknowledge and celebrate our best and brightest filmmaking talent. Show Me Shorts is an Oscar-qualifying film festival, meaning the winners of the top awards will become qualified for entry to the Academy Awards®! Glass of celebratory bubbles provided.
Prizes will be presented in these categories:
- Department of Post Best NZ Film Award
- Best International Film Award
- NZ On Air Best Music Video Award
- DEGANZ Best Director Award
- DEGANZ Best Editor Award
- Toi Whakaari Best Actor Award
- Best Cinematographer Award
- Script to Screen Best Screenplay Award
6 Award Winning Films*
Watch all the winning short films from the Show Me Shorts awards in one session. Enjoy the very best in local and international short film making.
Sun 12 Oct, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Academy Cinemas / The Classic
$60.00
Proudly supported by: Vista Foundation, Creative Communities
Tickets available here:
https://events.humanitix.com/vista-foundation-industry-day-show-me-shorts-film-festival