Finalists in 58 film, television, documentary, news and current affairs categories have been announced for the Qantas Film and Television Awards.

TV3's Outrageous Fortune have taken 16 nominations in 11 categories in the TV awards, including all three finalists spots for directing a drama comedy for Mark Beesley, Britta Johnstone and Simon Bennett. Outrageous Fortune is up for best drama against TV2's Shortland Street and Ride With the Devil.

The Best Picture (budget over $1 Million) finalists are Perfect Creature, Out of the Blue and Eagle vs Shark. The Best Picture (budget under $1 Million) finalists are Jinx Sister, A Song of Good and Rubbings From a Live Man.Finalists in 58 film, television, documentary, news and current affairs categories have been announced for the Qantas Film and Television Awards.

TV3's Outrageous Fortune have taken 16 nominations in 11 categories in the TV awards, including all three finalists spots for directing a drama comedy for Mark Beesley, Britta Johnstone and Simon Bennett. Outrageous Fortune is up for best drama against TV2's Shortland Street and Ride With the Devil.

The Best Picture (budget over $1 Million) finalists are Perfect Creature, Out of the Blue and Eagle vs Shark. The Best Picture (budget under $1 Million) finalists are Jinx Sister, A Song of Good and Rubbings From a Live Man.There are 170 finalists in total in the inaugural Qantas Film and Television Awards taken from 666 entries judged by 77 judges.

The awards are the amalgamation of the two former award programmes that have been running for the last three years: The New Zealand Screen Awards and the New Zealand Television Awards.

Last year Outrageous Fortune took home six awards from the 2007 New Zealand Screen Awards.

This year Outrageous Fortune is nominated for images & sound best drama programme, best actress (Robyn Malcolm), best actor (Antony Starr), best supporting actress (Antonia Prebble & Siobhan Marshall), best supporting actor (Kirk Torrance & Tammy Davis), best script, drama/comedy programme - (Rachel Lang & James Griffin/Jan Prettejohns) camera work, drama/comedy programme (Martin Smith) achievement in editing, drama/comedy programme (Bryan Shaw) achievement in production design (Clayton Ercolano) and contribution to design (Katrina Hodge).

Winners of the Qantas Film and Television Awards will be announced at an awards gala on Saturday, 13 September in Auckland's historic Civic Theatre.

Winners of the Qantas Film and Television Craft Awards will be announced on Friday, 12 September at a lunchtime ceremony.

See the full list of finalists.

Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand executive director and organising committee member, Anna Cahill, congratulated the finalists.

"The number and quality of entries demonstrates the growth and strength of the New Zealand film and television industries."

New Zealand Television Broadcasters' Council incoming chief executive and organising committee member, Rick Friesen, said he is delighted with the quality of this year's entries.

"We received more entries than expected this year and are delighted with the feedback we have received from judges about the quality of these entries. We wish all finalists the very best for the awards in September."

About the Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand

The Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand (SDGNZ) represents New Zealand Directors and Editors. The Guild creates a forum where creatives can define, defend and further their professional industry. The SDGNZ is dedicated to the artistic excellence, employment opportunities and economic wellbeing of its members.

About the New Zealand Television Broadcasters' Council

The New Zealand Television Broadcasters' Council is an industry organisation representing the non-competitive interests of free-to-air television broadcasters in New Zealand. The members are TVWorks, Television New Zealand and Maori Television.

13/08/08