New Generation of Filmmaking Talent Uncovered at Tropfest NZ

New Generation of Filmmaking Talent Uncovered at Tropfest NZ

Winner Gabriel Reid scores LA film immersion course for “Every Moment” thanks to NZSA

NEW ZEALAND/SINGAPORE: On February 14, Gabriel Reid took home the top prize at Tropfest New Zealand for his film Every Moment, winning a five-day film immersion course in Los Angeles thanks to the support of the New Zealand Screen Association (NZSA) and theMotion Picture Association (MPA).

Reid’s film Every Moment is a short, poignant love story on the importance of making every moment count. Every Moment was one of 16 finalist short films that delighted an estimated crowd of 9,000 at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth, home of Tropfest New Zealand for the past three years.

Accepting his award, Reid said, “One of the most exciting aspects of Tropfest is the film industry immersion course. Along with filmmakers from around the world, I'll get to spend a week in meetings and seminars with production houses, studios, agents and managers, and I'll get to visit the American Film Market – something I've wanted to do for many years. While my primary focus has always been to direct, the business aspects of this industry are also of enormous interest to me. I recognize that film financing and distribution are these days a complex field and the better it is understood by filmmakers the better off they'll be. It's essential we understand how to pitch projects and how to develop and package our films in such a way that will connect with financiers and audiences. As they say, without the "business" there is no "show". I have several projects I'm keen to step through development and into production, so I'm absolutely thrilled to be afforded the opportunity to participate in this film immersion course. In coming months, I'll work with my team to ensure we have a plan to utilize this opportunity to the fullest extent possible. I am tremendously grateful to Tropfest, the NZSA and the MPA for making this possible.”

Matthew Cheetham, Managing Director, NZSA, said “We are once again delighted to be involved in Tropfest which provides a platform for a broad spectrum of filmmakers to showcase their work. The submissions this year were simply stunning with a number of different genres represented. Gabriel Reid’s winning entry, Every Moment, was an exceptional work and we are greatly looking forward to working with Gabriel as he visits the filmmaking industry in Los Angeles later this year for a one week film immersion program”.

The judges for the 2015 festival included James Napier Robertson, director of the multiple award-winning film The Dark Horse, Composer and Best Score winner Dana Lund for The Dark Horse, director of Scarfies and Out of the Blue Robert Sarkies, entertainment lawyer and president of both SPADA (Screen Production and Development Association) and WIFT (Women in Film and Television) Karen Soich, award-winning writer, director and producer Gaylene Preston, and Kiwi editor of the Directory of World Cinema: Australia & New Zealand 2 and film lecturer at Waikato University, Geoff Lealand.

First prize also takes possession of a $10,000 cash prize, sponsored by the Taranaki Arts Festival Trust. Other prizes included:

• Second Place – Kirk & Luke Bremner for This Side Up Removals, winning $1,000 cash and a one-year Getty Images iStock subscription

• Third Place – Ben Hobbs for Slabbed, winning $500 cash

• Tropfest Best Actress - Bree Peters in Every Moment, winning $2,500 cash

• Tropfest Best Male Actor - Preston O'Brien in Slabbed, winning $2,500 cash

• Yoobee School of Design Best VFX – Emma Schranz for Charlie Floyd's Visionarium, winning $2,500 cash and one free short course at any Yoobee campus or online course of choice

• Yoobee School of Design Best Animated Film – Steven McNicholl for Egg, winning $2,500 cash and one free short course at any Yoobee campus or online course of choice

• Nga Aho Whakaari & Te Puni Kokiri Te Tohu Auahatanga Maori Award - Bree Peters in Every Moment, winning $2,500 cash

• Tropfest’s official photography, video and production music partner Getty Images also supplied a free one-month iStock subscription to all 15 other runner-up finalists.

To view winning film Every Moment and the other finalist films please click here.

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