Rialto Secures All NZ Short Films from Film Fest

Press Release – 12.09.06

Rialto Channel Secures All NZ Short Film’s from 2006 NZ Film Festival

Rialto Channel continues to support independent film within New Zealand with exclusive sponsorship of the ‘Homegrown: Works on Film’ section within this years NZ Film Festival. Rialto Channel has today announced that it secured all six New Zealand short films that featured within this section.

The films involve spectacular scenes of life; love and death with an added touch of romance and forgiveness. This year’s selection includes Tearepa Kahi’s short film The Speaker, which featured in Berlin’s 2006 Festival, and internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and filmmaker Shona McCullagh, with her short film Break.

Also featured in the series is Jane Shearer’s short film Nature’s Way which was New Zealand’s sole participant at this year’s Festival De Cannes. Nature’s Way is a dark exploration into the aftermath of a murderer where a young girl is murdered and left for dead in a native forest. The murderer’s first instincts tell him he’ll get caught and unfortunately for him first impulse was right as nature aids revenge.

Rachael Mansfield, NZ Film Commissions Short Film Manager says, “These films have played at festivals around the world including the prestigious Cannes, Clermont Ferrand, Berlin and Melbourne film festivals. We are thrilled that Rialto Channel is supporting NZ filmmakers through this initiative and increasing the opportunity for New Zealander’s to see these great films.”

Rialto Channel provides an ongoing broadcast vehicle for independent producers and industry craftspeople to showcase their talent, and provides it’s customers with a chance to view more New Zealand culture and programming.

NZ Short Films

The Speaker – Director Tearepa Kahi
A political tagger's midnight marauding gets his younger brother caught by the police. But saying "I'm sorry" with meaning are words best said with action.

Natures Way – Director Jane Shearer
A young girl is murdered and left for dead deep in native forest. The murderer's first instincts tell him he'll get caught, but as time goes on he thinks he's got away with it. Unfortunately for him, first instincts are usually right as nature aids revenge.

We The Living – David Rittey
In a rural camping ground, a young woman, Freya, discovers the lifeless body of a fellow traveller. To find comfort, she seeks out Jay. Safe, in the cocoon of his tent, Jay shares with her a story from his past; a story that helps to bring her own feelings sharply in to focus.

Dead Letters – Paolo Rotondo
On the 'home front' in 1943, Ngarie and Gerald sort air graph letterforms destined for New Zealand soldiers abroad. A tiny act of heroism brings together this unlikely pair in an unconventional love story that cleverly blends fact with fiction.

break – Shona McCullagh
A long-term relationship is ending. Set in rural New Zealand a depressed mother makes the difficult decision to leave her son and partner. The film explores the relationship a nine year-old boy has with his mother and the ultimate loss of his trust.

Chop Off – Grant Lahood
Grant Lahood has made eight short films, including The Singing Trophy and Lemming Aid, which both screened In Competition at Cannes. He has also written and directed two feature films – Chick and Kombi Nation. Chop Off centres on an epic wood-chopping battle between young and old.

The Speaker – Director Tearepa Kahi
Tearepa Kahi is of Ngāti Pāoa descent and started out as an actor in Māori theatre before garnering accolades for his documentary and television work. His politically charged first film, The Speaker, follows a young tagger whose midnight marauding gets his younger brother into trouble with the cops.

Natures Way – Director Jane Shearer
Jane Shearer arrived at film directing via an award-winning career in advertising. She is currently developing a feature version of the successful short The French Doors with writing partner Steve Ayson. Nature’s Way is a dark exploration of the aftermath of a murder and New Zealand’s sole invited participant at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.

We The Living – David Rittey
David Rittey went to art school before studying film at the Victorian College of the Arts. His short film Closer screened at Cannes and was awarded Best Short at the 2005 NZ Film and TV awards. We The Living is a sensitive exploration of the complex emotions that cir le in the aftermath of loss.

Dead Letters – Paolo Rotondo
Paolo Rotondo is well known as an actor with lead roles in Stickmen, The Ugly and Shortland Street. He has written and directed theatre and his short films include The Freezer. Blending fact and fiction to tell a story of wartime romance, Dead Letters is a bold and visually appealing period drama.

break – Shona McCullagh
break is the third in a series of innovative dance films from internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer and filmmaker Shona McCullagh. Break articulates the complexities of a disinter grating family relationship.

Chop Off – Grant Lahood
Grant Lahood has made eight short films, including The Singing Trophy and Lemming Aid, which both screened In Competition at Cannes. He has also written and directed two feature films – Chick and Kombi Nation. Chop Off centres on an epic wood-chopping battle between young and old.

ENDS

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