Alerting all New Zealand short-filmmakers. Entries close on April 19 for short film submissions from New Zealand filmmakers of any stature hoping for a place on this year’s NZIFF programme.
2012 marked a triumphant debut for our New Zealand’s Best Short Film Competition. All short films submitted by New Zealand filmmakers for NZIFF are automatically eligible to compete for three cash prizes: the Madman Jury Prize of $5000 generously donated by the well-known purveyors of quality cinema and home entertainment; the $3000 Friends of the Civic prize; and an audience award representing 25% of the box office from our New Zealand’s Best finalist screenings. These screenings were such a success in year one that the audience prize (awarded to the crew of Lambs) paid more than the Madman prize.
And success continues for the 2012 shorts that premiered.
All have gone on to screen on the international circuit, and recent award announcements have included prizes for Ellen Is Leaving (Best Narrative Short at SXSW 2013), and Night Shift (the Firebrand award at the Hong Kong International Film Festival).
From April 19 NZIFF programmers Michael McDonnell and Bill Gosden will prepare a short list of 12 films to be submitted to an estimable outside judge who will select five or six finalists to be presented as the New Zealand’s Best 2013 shorts programme. The selected films will screen around New Zealand with the Film Festival from July to November.
NZIFF is also proud to present short films by New Zealand filmmakers in support of feature films, so making it into competition is not the only way to have your work selected and shown around the nation at the Festival.
For more information, visit nzff.co.nz/submit-a-film.
