AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL MEDIA RELEASE

19 October 2007

International acclaim beckons for aspiring New Zealand filmmakers

Thanks to Auckland City Council's strategic alliance with Hamburg, signed in April 2007, animators across New Zealand have the chance to step onto the international stage in June 2008 and win a prestigious international film accolade.

Entries are now being accepted for the Hamburg Animation Awards which are designed to stimulate creativity amongst young, up-and-coming animators.

At a ceremony in Hamburg on 26 June 2008, the city will honour New Zealand with a special "Country Award" category for aspiring animated film artists from New Zealand.

The winner will receive 2000 euros (approximately $3900) and will be invited to attend the award ceremony in Hamburg, Germany. New Zealand entrants will also be eligible for the wider Hamburg Animation Award which has three additional categories and a top prize package of 5000 euros (approximately $10,000).

The awards will be presented in the historic Hamburg Schmidts Tivoli Theatre.

Auckland city Mayor Hon. John Banks said this was an amazing opportunity for young New Zealand film makers.

"This is a chance for animators and film makers from our country to be recognised on the international stage.

"This opportunity is a clear example of how Auckland and Hamburg can work together and provide benefits to each other.

"The creative world is important to both our cities and why we are pleased to be involved in this way.

"I look forward to seeing the winning entry broadcast internationally and continuing to fly the flag of New Zealand animation and film across the world."

The contest is open to students and graduates (within three years of leaving their institution) of all film academies, colleges and universities offering graduate courses in animation. The deadline for film entry is Friday 30 May 2008.

A special focus of the award will be 'Style & Story' - productions featuring a good, well-told story and a unique or completely novel style.

Hamburg is considered the epicentre of German media, including film, TV, advertising and music production employing 62,000 people. The sector has increased in size by over 50 per cent since 2000. Auckland city's creative industries account for 40 per cent of national creative sector employment and we employ over 13,000 people in this field.

Further criteria for the competition and entry details are available from the Goethe-Institut www.goethe.de/nz.

ENDS

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