Winners of New Zealand's best 2015 announced

Winners of New Zealand's best 2015 announced

Out of seventy-five submissions, four outstanding winners have been selected and announced in the fourth annual NZIFF New Zealand’s Best Short Film competition at Auckland’s Civic Theatre tonight.

The Madman Entertainment Jury Prize, a cash prize of $5,000 for the Best New Zealand Short Film at NZIFF 2015, is awarded to The Tidekeeper, directed, written and produced by Alyx Duncan. This film was awarded this prize for its singular personal vision and its technical assurance.

The jury selected Ow What! for the Wallace Friends of the Civic Award for distinctive creative achievement. The filmmaker, Michael Jonathan receives a prize of $3,000 cash, and this film was acknowledged by the judges for its originality and authenticity.

A special jury of cinematographers selected Grant McKinnon, cinematographer for Not Like Her as the winner of the inaugural Allen Guilford Cinematography Award from the New Zealand Cinematographers Society (NZCS), a prize that includes a cash prize of $2,000.

The 2015 Audience Award, 25% of the box office takings from the screenings in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch, was awarded to Madam Black. This film was directed and produced by Ivan Barge.

The three judges were New Zealand producer, Fiona Copland, Australian photographer and performer, William Yang and representative for Madman Entertainment, Michael Eldred.

Guest selector and filmmaker Christine Jeffs selected the six finalists from a shortlist of 12. NZIFF programmers Bill Gosden and Michael McDonnell viewed 75 entries to prepare the shortlist.

NZIFF screens in Auckland until 4 August, in Wellington until 12 August, in Dunedin until16 August, before continuing around the country. The NZ’s Best Shorts programme will screen in every NZIFF regional programme. For NZIFF updates visit www.nziff.co.nz and register to receive e-newsletters.

ENDS

© Scoop Media