Richmond Road Short Film Festival on March 24

NZ’s Best Short Films Return in the Richmond Road Short Film Festival on March 24

Historic Richmond Road School in Ponsonby will once again host one of NZ’s biggest short film festival audiences on March 24th .

The Richmond Road Short Film Festival – known as ‘the Richies’ - is now in its 6th year. This acclaimed film festival and competition offers up-and-coming as well as leading New Zealand short film makers a showcase for their films. They also compete for a ‘Richie’ award in six categories.

The festival hosts world and New Zealand premieres of short films – projected in 35mm or high-density DVD onto a giant 40ft x 20ft inflatable screen in the grounds of Richmond Road School. Around 10 short films will be selected as finalists and screened on the night.

Celebrities MC the evening, and live entertainment, gourmet food stalls, espresso coffee and a licensed bar offer a full and fun night out.

At the end of the evening, an awards ceremony announces the winning films in six categories - each judged by a panel of leading film makers and talent including Chris Graham Director or Sione’s Wedding:

- Best Screenplay
- Best Direction
- Best Peformance – Male
- Best Performance -
- Best Short Film Overall
- Peoples Choice - text voted by the audience on the night

Award winners receive a ‘Richie’, Richmond Road’s answer to an Oscar.

Films must run for no more than 20 minutes duration to qualify and must involve one key creative (writer, director or producer) who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent New Zealand resident.

Last year’s film festival attracted an audience of 1,500 people with awards going to:

Best Screenplay: Zia Mandviwalla for ‘Eating Sausage’
Best Direction: Taika Waititi – for ‘Tama Tu’
Best Performance – Male: David Weatherly in ‘Together’
Best Performance – Female: Danielle Cormack in ‘Together’
Best Short Film Overall: ‘Tama Tu’
People’s Choice Award: ‘Bad Dates’

Tickets are $20 and available from Ticketek and the Richmond Road School office, with limited gate sales on the night. Some seating is provided although the audience is welcome to bring seats, cushions and rugs. (The rain date is Sunday March 25th.)

ENDS

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