Short films will take centre stage at The Civic on 6 November, with the launch of the 9th annual Show Me Shorts Film Festival.
Show Me Shorts is New Zealand’s major international short film festival, and the only one with Academy Awards®-accreditation status; meaning its Best Film winner qualifies to enter the Oscars®. It is only fitting therefore, that Auckland’s most majestic picture palace will host the opening event.
Festival organisers are delighted with the new screening location. After selling out the event in 2012 and 2013, Show Me Shorts required a larger venue for this year. Festival director Gina Dellabarca says: “We’re excited about the extra profile this will bring for the festival, and for the filmmakers who will get to see their films on screen in such a beautiful cinema. Going to The Civic is always a total treat so we expect a warm response to this announcement from our Auckland audience.”
Tickets to the ‘Show Me Shorts: Rialto Channel Opening Night & Awards Ceremony’ are now on sale from Ticketmaster. The opening night event is the only chance to see the entire set of award winning short films in one sitting. Te Radar will MC the evening, which promises to bring short film enthusiasts and filmmakers together for a fun night out celebrating short films and the people who make them. Tickets also include entry to the Official After Party in the Wintergarden.
Prizes in ten award categories will be presented at the event, and the winning films will also screen. The judging panel is made up of experienced industry practitioners: actor Robyn Malcolm (Outrageous Fortune), writer and actor Sophie Henderson (Fantail), journalist and film critic David Larsen (NZ Listener), and filmmaker and musician Joe Lonie (2013 Best Film Award winner for Honk If You’re Horny – pictured above).
Show Me Shorts screens in 20 cinemas nationwide from 6-23 November. The screenings include a selection of short films for children and families called ‘My Generation’. A new initiative for 2014 sees the addition of music videos to the programme and the Best Music Video Award, to recognise the talent required in creating this particular genre of short film.
With 41 short films and six music videos in the line-up, there is truly something for everyone. The films are divided into six themed sessions: Time Travellers, Bromance, Art Will Save The World, Listen Up, My Generation and In The Neighbourhood. The full official programme will be announced on 15 October.
Find out more about Show Me Shorts and get tickets to the Opening Night event at The Civic here: http://www.showmeshorts.co.nz/events/auckland-opening-night/.
