First-time Wellington film-making students took out the big NZ prize at the biggest short film festival in the country with a “poignant and funny” animated film.
A four-minute, 3D animated film about a grumpy kererū and a naive pīwakawaka was awarded the top NZ prize at last night’s 2021-special livestreamed Show Me Shorts awards event. Miro Wine, from first-time Wellington film-making students Bree Greally and Lily Martin-Babin, took home Department of Post Best New Zealand Film, making it qualified to enter the Academy Awards.
It was one of the 74 films in 2021 festival, selected from over 1600 entries from across the world. You can rent any of the nine curated sessions (we preview them here) via the Show Me Shorts On Demand platform until midnight 31 October.
Here’s more on the awards night from the official media release:
The New Zealand judging panel, which comprised film industry luminaries – Festival Director Bronwyn Kidd from Australia’s Flickerfest, award-winning writer Briar Grace Smith and entertainment reporter and critic Dominic Corry – were unanimous on the Department of Post Best New Zealand Film decision. They commented:
“Miro Wine is the poignant and funny story of the loyal friendship between an unlikely couple, a kererū and a pīwakawaka. The jury were moved and warmed by the simplicity of the story, the well-drawn characters and the stunning animation. The visual story-telling seems to unfold effortlessly, and this is a huge credit to the filmmakers – as there is no doubt of the time, dedication and talent required to make the film the success that it is. ”
The New Zealand judging panel awarded craft awards in five other categories. The Final Draft Best Screenplay category was judged by award winning screenwriter Nick Ward.
A separate international judging panel comprising Festival Director Per Fikse from Norway’s Minimalen Film Festival, writer Victor Rodger and performer/songwriter Ladi6, awarded Australian refuge drama Ayaan the coveted Best International Film Award. Ayaan is now also eligible to enter the Oscars.
The full list of winners in the 2021 Show Me Shorts Film Festival are:
NZ on Air Best Music Video – Logan Marshall for Gino October – New Day
Toi Whakaari Best Actor – Jodie Hillock for Blood and Gold
DEGANZ Best Editor – Peter Roberts and Dwayne Cameron for June
Panavision Best Cinematographer – Kieran Fowler for Giants
Final Draft Best Screenplay – Sam Gill for Fetch
DEGANZ Best Director – Isaac Bell for Space Invader
Department of Post Best New Zealand Film – Bree Greally, Lily Martin-Babin for Miro Wine
Best International Film – Alies Sluiter, Meng Xiong, Federica Belletti, William Littleton for Ayaan (Australia)
As Show Me Shorts is an Academy Awards-qualifying festival, the top two films – Best New Zealand Film and Best International Film – are now qualified to enter the Oscars. Other prizes include $7,500 cash, $12,000 worth of camera gear rental from Panavision, $10,000 worth of post-production services from Department of Post, $5,000 of gear rental from Rubber Monkey, copies of Final Draft writing software, membership to DEGANZ, flowers from Enchanted Rose, certificates and engraved bronze winners’ brooches. The total prize pool is valued at more than $50,000.
In a swift COVID-pivot, last week the Show Me Shorts team secured the rights for all the films in the 2021 festival to be screened On Demand, on a special viewing platform created by Hamilton-based Shift 72, whose innovative platform has been adopted by film festivals across the world. This was made possible with support from the New Zealand Film Commission.
