Animated Champ Wows New Zealand Film Commission
Press Release
June 25th, 2009
The Grand Champion of this years 'V' Energy 48HOURS Furious Filmmaking Competition continues to set records. The
bittersweet animated short film 'Charlotte' is the first film in the competition's seven year history to break the
stranglehold and dominance of the North Island and it’s the very first animated film to take home the grand prize after
beating nearly 700 entries. The International Judging panel praised the film saying it was "beautifully sublime" and
"pretty much a perfect short film", so it's no surprise the film has now gone onto to do something truly remarkable.
'Charlotte' which was created in just one weekend with a budget of zero, has officially been picked up for
representation by the Short Film team at the New Zealand Film Commission. The NZFC’s Short Film Manager Juliette Veber
says,
"Charlotte is a simple and beautiful short film which deserves to be seen by an international audience. We are thrilled
to have the opportunity to work with animator Parry Jones and V Energy 48HOURS to ensure the film is seen more widely.”
Ant Timpson, the organiser of the V Energy 48HOURS is over the moon about the outcome,
"This southern success story has validated what I've always known about the competition. That the very best can exist
outside of the context of the V Energy 48HOURS and succeed entirely on their own merits. This result is truly a
testament to the director and his skill as a storyteller."
Charlotte's creator Parry Jones adds "to have interest in our film from the NZFC has been a huge thrill for myself, John
and Rudy. Winning the competition meant a lot to us and to think that our work will be shown to audiences beyond New
Zealand is very exciting. I’d also like to think that it’s inspirational for all film makers, young and old that with a
vehicle such as V Energy 48HOURS, short films can survive for many hours beyond 48".
Hundreds of teams compete. Hundreds of thousands watch.
WRITE. SHOOT. CUT. SURVIVE.
ENDS