Top Kiwi Film Talent Showcased in Festival

Media Release: 9 March 2007

Top Kiwi Film Talent Showcased in Richmond Road Short Film Festival

Leading New Zealand short film makers will feature in this year’s Richmond Road Short Film Festival on Saturday March 24th. Eleven films have been selected as finalists in this acclaimed short film festival that takes place under the stars in the grounds of historic Richmond Road School in Ponsonby.

The 11 finalist films will compete for awards in five categories and will be screened on a giant 40ft x 20ft inflatable screen. Finalists have been selected by a panel of five top New Zealand writers and film makers. They will compete for:
- Best Screenplay
- Best Direction
- Best Performance
- Best Short Film Overall

On the night the audience will also decide a People’s Choice Award by text voting. Winners receive a ‘Richie’, Richmond Road’s answer to an Oscar.

The film festival is an innovative fundraising initiative on the part of Richmond Road School, and an annual highlight of the New Zealand short film calendar.
Films screened may have their New Zealand and/or international premiere on the night.

An audience of around 1500 people is expected to gather under the stars to watch this year’s films. Entertainment starts at 6.15pm with a special acoustic performance by Nathan Haines and his father Kevin. Gourmet food stalls and a licensed bar are available on site.

Tickets are $20 and available from Ticketek and the Richmond Road School office in Ponsonby, with limited gate sales on the night. (The rain date is Sunday March 25th).

2007 Richmond Road Short Film Festival Finalists:

A Very Nice Honeymoon
Directors, producers & writers: Jeff and Phill Simmonds
A beautifully crafted 2D and 3D animated film that tells the story of Jeff and Phill Simmonds great grandparents who were on the Steamer SS Wairarapa when it was wrecked on Great Barrier Island in 1893.

Brown Peril – The Tim Porch Story
Directors: Jarrod Holt and Nigel McCulloch
Producers: Ryan Hutchings, Nigel McCulloch & Jarrod Holt
Writers: Ryan Hutchings, Jarrod Holt, Nigel McCulloch & Josh Thomson
Tim Porch attempts to become the first Tongan national badminton champion.

Chop Off
Director, producer & writer: Grant Lahood
Three axemen, three tall wooden posts and an epic battle between young and old.

Life After Death
Directors & writers: Guy Capper and Jemaine Clement
Producer: Viky Pope
Sheepy reflects on the possibilities of life after death but Robert is more interested in the peanuts ...

Night Vision
Director, producer & writer: Zoe McIntosh
A documentary exploring the extraordinary relationship of a prostitute and her pimp. They are not your average married couple.

Oh Deer
Director & producer: Chung Min Moon
A poetic portrayal of a silent but intimate relationship between a girl and each animal.

Rope
Directors: Adam Luxton & Jeremy Dumble
Producer: Richard Collins
Writer: Adam Luxton
An old man springs to life as the noose tightens.

The Customer is Always Trite
Director: Greydon Little
Producer: Roseanne Liang
Writer: Sunil Narshai
An observational comedy about the last link in the supermarket chain – the humble checkout operator.

The Knock
Director: Miles Murphy
Producer: Simon Ranginui
Writer: Nick Ward
When someone you don’t know knocks on your door – what happens if you answer it – what happens if you don’t?

The Speaker
Director: Tearepa Kahi
Producer: Tearepa Kahi, Savage, Quinton Hita
Writer: Savage & Tearepa Kahi
A political tagger’s actions land his younger brother in jail for the night. But saying sorry only means something when you mean it.

Uso
Director & writer: Miki Magasiva
Producer: Tara Riddell
Two young boys wait for an important phone call. Our two heroes go through the highs and lows of being friends and ultimately brothers.

ENDS

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