Young Talent On Show At Filmmaking Fest

YOUTHTOWN

For release: 10 August 2007

Young Talent On Show At Filmmaking Fest

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A wave of youthful talent should soon be hitting New Zealand's film industry, according to the judges of the 2007 Youthtown Short Film Challenge.

The annual teenage filmmaking fest reaches its climax next Monday(August13), with an 'Oscar Style' premier night and award ceremony at Auckland's Academy Cinema.

"This year's entry level is superb. It's truly exciting to see so many potentially excellent New Zealand filmmakers coming forward," says theatre and film practitioner, Richard Green.

"Many of the films look very professional, innovative and nicely shot. There are also some highly interesting story lines and a wide range of genres, including thrillers, comedy and art-house style dramas. There's also a surprising shortage of the stock teenage angst.

"The Youthtown Short Film Challenge is rapidly becoming an important calendar event for young filmmakers. If they don't already know about it, they should be finding out.

"The contest provides a great opportunity to experiment with equipment, ideas and stories and to establish a bit of a track record for people who might subsequently approach the New Zealand Film Commission for funding for more ambitious projects." he adds.

Fellow judge, Lara Macgregor, describes the quality of some of the Film Challenge's entries as "simply astonishing".

The director, actor and drama coach, who has recently returned home after 12 years working in the United States and Australia, says that filmmaking now has a much higher profile in New Zealand.

"There's so much energy and enthusiasm behind our film industry nowadays and it's great to see young New Zealanders responding to this stimulus and producing such amazing work.

"If young people here want to make a film, they're unlikely to have resources falling into their laps, as can happen in the United States. But young Kiwi filmmakers tend to make up for any lack of funds with creativity and determination. They seem to just get out there and do it!" she says.

The 2007 Youthtown Short Film Challenge is the fourth to be run by the not-for-profit youth organisation and the first to attract films from beyond Auckland, including entries from Wellington and Christchurch.

"It's gratifying to have entrants from around the country. It vindicates our belief in this contest's ability to inspire creative young people, some of whom will want to make careers for themselves in our film industry and others of whom will become skilled amateurs," says Youthtown's Executive Director, Keith Thorpe. Mr Thorpe adds that Youthtown's role is to help young people express themselves, develop skills and build self-esteem.

"This can take the form of sport, outdoor adventure, social activities or the arts, including learning what to do either in front of or behind a film camera," he says.

The 2007 Youthtown Short Film Challenge was open to anyone between the ages of 13 and 18. Films entered needed to be between five and ten minutes in length and to be made specifically for the competition.

All of the competition entries are to be shown during the premier night, commencing at 6.30 pm. The screenings will be followed by the award ceremony, which is scheduled to start around 9.00 pm. The MC for the evening is to be decathlete and television presenter, Jordan Vandermade.

Amongst the award categories are 'Best Film', 'Best Director', 'Best Cinematographer', 'Best Script', 'Best Actress' and 'Best Actor'. In addition to Richard Green and Lara Macgregor, the judging panel includes director, editor and producer, Andreas Heinemann.

The winner of the Best Film award is to receive a seventeen inch 'iMac' Intel Computer, supplied by Harvey Norman, Wairau Road, whilst the Best Director, Best Actress and Best Actor will be granted a free place on an 'Introduction to Television Production' course at the Southseas Film and Television School, a renowned testing- ground for new cinematic talent.

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WHAT: THE 2007 YOUTHTOWN SHORT FILM CHALLENGE PREMIER/ AWARDS NIGHT WHERE: THE ACADEMY CINEMA, 44, LORNE STREET, AUCKLAND (CITY) WHEN: MONDAY 13TH AUGUST, COMMENCING 6.30 PM (AWARD CEREMONY AT 9.00 PM)

ENDS

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