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Show Me Shorts Film Festival director Gina Dellabarca talks about how the festival has grown in the past six years - including the addition of short filmmaking seminars, a writers development lab and international films.

Show Me Shorts opens in Auckland on November 3, with an Awards evening, then travels to main centres.

Winners in eight award categories will be announced, selected by this year's judges - producer Catherine Fitzgerald (The Orator, Two Cars, One Night), producer, director and 1st AD Paul Grinder (Spartacus, District 9), and movie trailer producer James Brookman (Billy T: Te Movie, Sione’s 2).

During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

My brain takes a while to warm up, so afternoon and evening.

How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

A whirlwind of organization with creative sparks flying that sometimes ignite into fruitful collaborative partnerships.

What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Eaves dropping on audience members debating their favourite films after screenings at the short film festival.

How does your environment affect your work?

Surrounding myself with smart and enthusiastic people is vital. I can’t do it all alone. Plus they make me look good!

Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

I can do both. The shape of the festival at the moment requires most of my attention to be on overseeing the organization as a whole.

What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

The industry is changing all the time, so it’s important to constantly evaluate your place in it and evolve.

Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Show Me Shorts.

Who or what has inspired you recently?

The Short Film Lab we run with Script to Screen for short film writers to develop their story ideas. The participants and mentors with their fresh ideas and passion remind me why I love running a short film festival.

Tell us a bit about your background.

I’ve worked in the film industry for over 10 years. Predominantly in a marketing and programming capacity. I was a publicist for films and film festivals for many years, I also managed a cinema for a few years.

Tell us a bit about how Show Me Shorts festival began.

There was wine involved… Essentially we were looking for a hole in the market, and a national short film festival fit the bill.

How has it evolved since then?

Every year Show Me Shorts grows in terms of the number of cinemas we screen at and the audience. We have recently added short filmmaking seminars, and a writers development lab. This year the big addition is international films. Next year who knows!

What combination of people and resources are involved in putting it on?

The ongoing viability of Show Me Shorts relies most heavily on the team of 10 volunteers who run the event. It’s a year around exercise to plan for, fund and deliver a festival of this size and caliber. We have also developed close relationships with a wide range of funding and sponsorship partners, and maintaining these is important to us.

What are some highlights for this year’s festival?

All of the films in our programme have something unique to offer. For readers of The Big Idea I particularly recommend Stephen Kang’s internationally successful Blue about an out of work children’s TV mascot working as a waiter in an Asian restaurant. Also Preferably Blue a likeable animated comedy about the Easter Bunny trying to kill Santa. Or for something more hard-hitting the German / South African Protect the Nation is a bold drama about courage and kindness.

What are some of the professional development opportunities?

Our StarNow Short Film Seminars are open to the public. These sessions have three of our filmmakers each play their film then talk about the process of making it and answer questions from the audience. The seminars take place at the Capitol Cinema in Auckland on Mon 7th Nov at 6:30pm, and at Paramount in Wellington on Mon 14th Nov at 7pm. Tickets are just $15, and fill up fast, so purchase tickets from the cinemas in advance to avoid disappointment.

If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

Running a short film festival is the best job in the world. The only thing missing is wages, but I’m working on it.

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

Up so loud you can’t hear yourself singing out of tune.

What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

“Relax. You work in the entertainment industry. No one will die if you don’t get that done in time.”

What’s your big idea for 2012?

Building relationships with overseas short film festivals so we can source more international films for our festival.

• The Big Idea 10th Birthday Questions

What does The Big Idea mean to you?

It’s a space for creative people to network and share ideas.

What changes have you noticed in the creative sector (Film/Short Film) in the past 10 years?

The move to digital and the increased prevalence of the Internet for submitting, distributing and screening films. The increased visibility and inter-connectedness of the short film creative community thanks to Web 2.0 services

What are some of the opportunities and challenges for the next decade?

Evolving to keep pace with the changing technology.

Further information:

Show Me Shorts Film Festival

Show Me Shorts Awards nominees