Full Cinemas For Inaugural Short Film Showcase

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
12 August 2005

Full Cinemas For Inaugural Short Film Showcase

Village SKYCITY Cinemas reports full cinemas for every session at last weekend’s short film showcase “Stubbies” – A Showcase of New Zealand Shorts (August 6 and 7 2005 with two sessions daily at 2:30pm and 5:30pm, exclusive to Village SKYCITY Cinemas Queen St, Auckland city).

Admission was free to attend sessions for the inaugural event, which showcased the work of some of New Zealand’s most promising up and coming filmmakers and musicians.

“Stubbies” included 16 locally made short films and music videos, presented on the big screen, combining live action with animation. Included was a ‘blast from the past’ short film and music video to remind the audience that innovation in moving image has existed for quite some time in this country.

Chief Executive Officer, Joe Moodabe, says that Village SKYCITY Cinemas is delighted to have been able to support this inaugural event.

“The event was well organised and well received by the industry. It’s important to have events such as this – especially now as the film industry in New Zealand goes from strength to strength,” says Mr Moodabe.

“The theatres were at capacity for all four sessions, showing New Zealand cinema goers are keen to support local talent. You never know, potentially the next Peter Jackson or Finn brother could be amongst this group,” he says.

SPADA (event organisers and advocate group for film culture in New Zealand) was also thrilled with the outcome of last weekend’s short film showcase and hope to encourage a similar annual event going forward.

“This truly was a fantastic opportunity to support the growth and future of New Zealand’s emerging talent in screen production,” says SPADA Project Manager, Kim Baker.

“It was great to experience an applauding audience at all the “Stubbies” sessions, from cinema and music enthusiasts, to students aspiring to be filmmakers and musicians", she says.

Mr Moodabe adds that as spokesperson for the country’s leading cinema exhibition company, Village SKYCITY Cinemas would be proud to be involved in any future event.

ENDS

BACKGROUND:
STUBBIES ‘A Showcase of New Zealand Shorts’ showcased the work of a new batch of talented filmmakers and musicians on the giant screen. STUBBIES was an expose of fresh and innovative live action narrative, animation and music short works made for the screen.

STUBBIES featured two most recent short films to be released on screen. Director Miles Murphy’s (son of Geoff Murphy) short film debut, The Knock, shot by emerging DOP Adam Clark (Two Cars, One Night; Tama Tu), written by Nick Ward (Stickmen) and produced by Simon Ranginui. The Paselode Story, by Phill and Jeff Simmonds (Pearl, Florrie and the Bull), is a colourful documation on the Wellington rock band Paselode.

Also screening was the Auckland premiere of My Name Is Action Man, a moving short documentary based on a series of candid interviews with Action Man, by well-known Wellington actor and first time filmmaker, Phil Peleton.

STUBBIES premiered the music video for the latest single from Opshop, Levitate, directed by Adam Jones of Zoomslide Media. Also screening was music videos made by local filmmakers, for NZ artists Age Pryor, Che Fu and The D4, to name a few.
SPADA, the professional association of screen producers and production companies, managed the event and according to Project Manager, Kim Baker: “SPADA and the STUBBIES’ sponsors (below) are hugely impressed by the home-grown creativity that is yet to be noticed.”

KIWI, New Zealand's 100% New Zealand Music radio station, is proud to be involved with the inaugural STUBBIES. KIWI Promotions Manager, Nathan Hart says "this is a fantastic way to further our support of not only New Zealand music, but all things kiwi".

STUBBIES also includes a short work by Florian Habicht , 2004 winner of the SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year Award, an Award presented at the annual film and television conference in November, plus short films by Patrick Gillies, the 2004 runner-up, and the 2003 winner, one of few claymation filmmakers, Tom Reilly.

For STUBBIES programme information visit www.spada.co.nz
For more information contact SPADA’s Kim Baker 04 939 6934 or kim@spada.co.nz
For information about SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year Award visit www.spada.co.nz
STUBBIES is rated M

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY
Village SKYCITY Cinemas
KIWI FM
APRA
TVNZ
OKTOBOR
L and P
Film prints provided courtesy of the New Zealand Film Commission

SPADA - the leading advocate for screen culture in New Zealand
SMALL COUNTRY, BIG PICTURE 17-19th NOV, WELLINGTON

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