NZ short films to show at Berlin Film Festival
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Four New Zealand Film Commission funded short films have been selected to compete in the Generation Section of the 58th Berlin International Film Festival this February.
The Run (pictured), Taua and The Trophy will compete with 15 other international shorts in the Generation Kplus programme. Take 3 will compete with 12 international shorts in the Generation 14plus section.The Generation Programme of the Berlin International Film Festival is the competitive section for children and youth.
Taua (War Party) will also screen in Official Selection of the 37th International Film Festival Rotterdam in late January, and the international competition of the most important short film event in the world, the 30th Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival, in early February.
"We are absolutely thrilled that four New Zealand short films have been selected for the Berlin Film Festival as it is considered one of the most important festivals in the world," says the NZFC Short Film Sales & Marketing Manager, Juliette Veber.
"With Taua's official selections to screen at Rotterdam and Clermont-Ferrand as well, it's a great start to the year for New Zealand short films. "
"It's great that three leading European festivals find resonance with stories that New Zealanders are telling from the other side of the world," says Veber.
Run's selection to Berlin follows a premiere in the official competition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May 2007, where it received an Honourable Mention.
Take 3 and The Trophy will have their world premieres at the Berlin Film Festival.
Taua is written and directed by Tearepa Kahi and produced by Quinton Hita. Its based on the Maori proverb: Mate atu he tëtë kura, ara mai ano he tëtëkura - In war, leaders fall and leaders rise.
Run is written by Louis Sutherland (who plays the father in the film), directed by Mark Albiston and produced by Robin Murphy.
The Trophy is written and produced by Justine and Paul Simei-Barton, and directed by Justine Simei-Barton.
Take 3 is written and directed by Roseanne Liang and produced by Owen Hughes.
The producer and director teams from Taua, The Trophy and Take 3 will travel to Berlin with assistance from the New Zealand Film Commission, to attend the competition screenings.
More Information
The 58th Berlin International Film Festival runs February 7-17
The 30th Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival runs February 1-9
The 37th International Film Festival Rotterdam runs January 23 - February 3
18/01/08