Show Me Shorts festival details revealed

Show Me Shorts festival details revealed

Hot off the press, details of this year's Show Me Shorts Film Festival have been revealed.

Here's the press release from Gina and the gang about what's ahead.

(You can find out more about this year's films as well as when it's all on at their site on www.showmeshorts.co.nz)

WORLD PREMIERES A PLENTY IN THIS YEAR’S SHORT FILM FEST

With this only the second year of accepting international entries from outside of Australia and New Zealand, the profile of Show Me Shorts was strong enough to garner entries from over 30 countries around the world. Festival Director Gina Dellabarca credits the reputation for international success that New Zealand short films have firmly established among the international filmmaking sector for this. 

There are 18 international short films that made the final 40 films selected for this year's Show Me Shorts Film Festival. Although Australia is still the most strongly represented, there are also films from Switzerland, Ireland, Israel, Spain, India, Iceland and the USA. Dellabarca says, "We are quietly forging relationships with international embassies, film commissions, filmmakers and festivals at the moment. We're really happy with the international entries this year, but we can see room to grow them even further next year." 

To that end, Show Me Shorts is working with the Israeli Embassy to try and bring David Shadi to New Zealand to represent his comic film 'Gentledog'. David is likely to attend the Wellington Opening Night and may also participate in the StarNow Short Film Seminar in Wellington. Indian writer/director Manjari Makijany, who made 'The Last Marble' is also expected to attend these two Wellington events. Manjari will be in Brisbane just after Show Me Shorts, where his film will feature in the Brisbane International Film Festival. In Auckland, Australian filmmaker Susan Earl is expected to attend the Opening and Awards Night, and may also participate in the StarNow Short Film Seminar with her animated film 'Valmay the Visitor from Beep Beep Beep'.

Further strengthening ties with Australia, Show Me Shorts is presenting a package of short films in Melbourne this October. Federation Square have invited the festival to curate a selection of short films for their 10th birthday celebrations. Dellabarca says, "We have worked with Federation Square before, and it's great to be invited back. We'll be screening all our Best Film winning short films from the last six years. We're really excited about this opportunity and love the idea of taking it on tour. It's also great to be able to highlight our Best Film winners in this way. They really are outstanding short films, so it's a pleasure to find more opportunities to screen them."

Four of these titles will make their world premiere at Show Me Shorts, while the fifth has been a hit at film festivals internationally. There is a comedy, a drama, a documentary, an animation, and an Icelandic zombie thriller. Something for everyone!