PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday 15th August 2008
Apron Strings Receives International Nod As It Gains Official Selection For The Toronto Film Festival
Apron Strings has been officially selected for the prestigious Toronto Film Festival in the Discovery section. The
world’s eyes fell on iconic New Zealand films such as Whale Rider and Out of the Blue at this festival, and this is a
huge nod to the film makers and quality of this production.
“We are absolutely over the moon that it has been selected for Toronto” says director Sima Urale. “It's a huge
compliment to everyone who worked on it.”
Sima Urale will be in Toronto to introduce the film to audiences, along with actor Scott Wills, writer Shuchi Kothari
and producer Rachel Gardner.
“We are thrilled with the selection, this film has been made by a small but excellent New Zealand film making community,
and to have it screened on a world stage such as the Toronto Film Festival, is a truly deserved honour for Sima Urale's
feature film debut” says producer Rachel Gardner of Great Southern Films.
The 33rd Toronto International Film Festival will take place September 4 -13.
This international selection follows the film’s world premiere, when it opened the Auckland international Film Festival
in July.
Both are admirable appointments on local and international stages.
Sima Urale comments “The Auckland International Film Festival selection was a big deal for us, and now the Toronto
selection is a huge compliment to everyone involved. My wonderful team all worked so hard, and we are overjoyed to share
this film with an international audience - it's truly exciting”
Festival audiences and media alike have responded well to the film. Sima Urale graced the cover of the recent Canvas
magazine and we saw Jennifer Ludlam in the Weekend Magazine supplement of The Dominion Post. Reviewed in the Otago Daily
Times recently, it has been acclaimed as " **** Beautifully shot, with fantastic set direction, Apron Strings renders a
portrait of South Auckland seldom seen in local productions.”
Apron Strings is a parallel story of two families and two cultures set in suburban Otahuhu. It opened in cinemas around
New Zealand yesterday, via Rialto Distribution.
Apron Strings was produced under the Signature Scheme, a low budget financing initiative between the New Zealand Film
Commission, NZ On Air and Television New Zealand. Executive Producer is Trevor Haysom of T.H.E Film.
ENDS