Winners Announced for New Zealand Young Producer Shorts

BBC Knowledge & SPADA Announce Winners for New Zealand Young Producer Shorts 2012                          
 
A troupe of kiwi comedians, a DIY wizard and the steepest street in the world are just some of the unique New Zealand stories to be brought to the screen for the 2012 New Zealand Young Producer Shorts on BBC Knowledge.
 
Five talented producers will receive grants of $5,000 AUD (approx $6,350 NZD) to produce their short films as part of the joint film-making initiative between BBC Knowledge and New Zealand’s Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA). The five films will premiere on BBC Knowledge on SKY TV later this year.
 
Now in its second year, the New Zealand Young Producer Shorts invites local producers under 30 to submit film concepts telling NZ stories that reflect the spirit of the BBC Knowledge channel – intelligent, informative, innovative and sometimes irreverent. 
 
The judging panel, consisting of representatives from the NZ production sector, SPADA, SKY TV and BBC Worldwide, said the entries were of a remarkably high calibre this year covering an ambitious and diverse range of subjects.
 
Deirdre Brennan, General Manager and Director of Channels and Branded Services, Australasia comments:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with SPADA and the New Zealand production community once again to bring fresh local stories to BBC Knowledge audiences. There was a significant increase in the volume of entries this year and it will be a great pleasure to see the final five evolve. I look forward to seeing them on the channel later this year.”
 
SPADA Chief Executive Penelope Borland added: “We are delighted that this partnership nurturing young talent has been such a success in its first year and there has been even more interest this year in this wonderful opportunity for short-form documentaries by young New Zealand filmmakers to be screened on BBC Knowledge both in New Zealand and Australia.”
 
The full list of winners is as follows:
 
Joey Bania, Dunedin

Lost and Found

In a remote corner of New Zealand's South Island, enigmatic inventor Blair Somerville has created the ultimate tribute to DIY wizardry, a collection of interactive artworks he calls the Lost Gypsy Caravan. Lost and Found invites viewers down the rabbit hole to experience Blair's world in all its homemade glory.
 
Andy Boreham, Wellington
Beneath the Wig
Beneath the Wig will strip back the glittery façade of drag to reveal some of the real and raw stories of men who sometimes wear dresses.
 
George Dawes, Dunedin

Steep Street: Tales from the Steepest Street in the World

Steep Street tells the story of a quiet – but steep – street.  Take a trip up Baldwin Street and meet the residents of the steepest street in the world.  From drunken antics of Dunedin’s students to the little old lady running a gift shop in her living room where the prices are, frankly, a little steep.

Heidi O’Loughlin, Auckland

Mum I’m off to Melbourne for a laugh

Four young kiwi comedians travel to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in an attempt to find success at Australia's biggest cultural event of the year, all whilst trying to keep their heads above water and their friendship in tact.
David White, Wellington

Who is Lee Harris?

Crime, accusations and narking - but is any of it true?  Who is Lee Harris? is an investigative documentary to find the facts about one of the biggest mysteries in the Manawatu Gorge. 
 
ENDS

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