The short film I co-wrote is having a really busy time on the international festival circuit.
Here’s what the calendar looks like for this week…
It’s all feels really lovely.
It’s a validation of a bunch of hunches, hope and perseverance over the last 5 years. Most of that the time was spent adhering to the legendary film schedule -
Hurry up and wait!
US, UK, London, Germany, Bulgaria.
And it’s getting some (overly?) enthusiastic responses - like this one from Unseen Films on its Tribeca debut.
But the nod that brings tears to my eyes comes from half a world away. 🐑
I find out officially via New Zealand screenwriting legend Steve Barr.
I follow the link and blink and blink.
A total of 81 films were submitted for this year’s New Zealand’s Best short film competition. NZIFF Head of Programming, Michael McDonnell, and Senior Programmer Sandra Reid viewed them all to draw up a shortlist of 12, from which Guest Selector Niki Caro [🤯 - ed.] selected the six finalists.
“This selection of short films features fresh perspectives, acts of resistance, and small, but powerful stories perfectly told. From a range of different voices, these films are tough and tender. It was wonderful to be reminded of the diversity of our people and our stories, our lack of sentiment, depth of feeling, sense of humour, sense of justice, and our curiously New Zealand perspective on universal themes.” – Niki Caro
And there, nestled in the middle of the six, I find….
There’s so much subtext to unpick.
Nathan and I are New Zealanders. It’s ~2020. We have a really hard time drumming up backing for this short from NZ… well, to be accurate, we can’t get any money. In fact, New Zealand and the New Zealand diaspora provide the acting coach
, producer Naomi Wallwork and a whole lot of aroha - ❤️ as we say in NZ - from peers and industry big-wigs. But no production moolah.A part of it is because the film isn’t deemed to be New Zealand enough. It’s set in London, it stars an American, it’s co-written and co-produced by brits.
We’re a bit bummed, but we understand… fair enough - the money comes from New Zealand taxpayers and New Zealand slot-machine gaming addicts.
It’s right and proper that their hard lost $ should go to things that are unmistakably New Zealand.
So this award, and Niki Caro’s compliment…
“our curiously New Zealand perspective on universal themes”
Tell me something I really need to hear right now.
Arthur, you’re still one of us.
And as a bonus it looks like I’m in the draw for some 💰
A jury of three will select the winner of the $7500 Best Short Film Award, the $4000 Creative New Zealand Emerging Talent Award, and the $4000 Auckland Live Spirit of The Civic Award. The winner of the audience vote takes away the Audience Award, consisting of 25 percent of the box office from NZIFF screenings in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
It’s a great lineup of films, so I don’t fancy my odds.
But I’m delighted to be back in the running, in my tūrangawaewae.
My stomping ground.
My place to stand.
If you’re going to be in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin 19 July to 10 Sept, you can book tickets to some great films (including mine) at the New Zealand International Film Festival here.
Amazing. Congratulations.
Fingers and toes crossed you you Arthur. Xx