Early Selections for NZ Web Fest

Each month during its submission period, NZ Web Fest announces a few early selections. This year six DEGANZ members’ projects have already been selected to play during the festival’s run this November.

NZ Web Fest is an annual festival celebrating international online content, including podcasts, short films, and web series. This year marks the festival’s 24th run.

The Balloon

Short Film (Narrative)

On her birthday, an earnest, young girl finds unexpected solace when her mother seemingly fails to make any plans.

Writer/Director: James Fink-Jensen

The Creature

Web Series (Narrative)

Stuck in the online dating rut of endlessly swiping with no results, Aidan is ecstatic when he matches with his ‘dream man’. However, to leave for his date, Aidan must face the perturbed Creature lurking in the shadows of his home.

Writer/Director: Jake Tabata

Producer: Isabelle (Izzi) Hoskyn

Well Well Wellness

Web Series (Narrative)

A comedy web series that follows a silent retreat run by some well-meaning but hopeless wellness gurus. It follows the bumbling owners trying to save their haven, the mystic teachers who aren’t as deep as they seem, and the assorted mix of weird, wonderful, and worrisome retreatants who come to stay, find peace, or otherwise.

Director: Jack Nicol

TE ARA the Path

Web Series (Factual)

Holly Beckham (Ngāpuhi) is on a mission to be the first Māori woman to scale Everest. She has no alpine experience, but she has survived the depths of addiction and is climbing a mountain to recovery. Back in 1988, New Zealand’s Lydia Bradey, ONZM, was the first woman to climb Everest without supplemental oxygen. But instead of accolades, she became the subject of public bullying and misinformation, as people challenged her claims.

Together these two ‘wāhine toa’ (warrior women) venture into New Zealand’s mountains, developing a deep partnership of trust, honesty and grit as they attempt to summit Holly’s first peak, the iconic Tititea, Mt Aspiring.

Director: Alexis Smith

The Turning Point

Web Series (Factual)

The Turning Point follows a new generation of kaitiaki who value the well-being of their whenua. From north to south, they’re helping their communities protect and connect with Aotearoa’s natural environment despite the very real anxieties of the climate crisis.  They have only one thing on their minds: to make a difference!

Director: Steph Miller

 

Congrats to the selected projects!

Last updated on 5 June 2024

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‘Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue’ Continues its Festival Run in Palm Springs

Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue, directed by DEGANZ member Vea Mafile’o, has been selected for the Palm Springs International Film Society’s ShortFest 2024 and is in competition for Best International Short.

The film will screen in the Communication Breakdowns programme, highlighting films where misunderstandings change the trajectory of conversations, relationships, and lives. In Lea Tupu’anga / Mother Tongue, a young speech therapist disconnected from her Tongan heritage lies about her Tongan language skills to get a job. Out of her depth, she must find a way to communicate or risk her patient’s life.

ShortFest is an Academy Award, BAFTA, and Goya qualifying festival and is one of North America’s largest short film showcases. Each year, the competitive festival takes place alongside its Short Film Market and Forum, allowing films and filmmakers the opportunity to take the next step.

This selection follows the film’s international premiere at Sundance’s International Short Film Competition in January 2024 and its current run at Sydney Film Festival.

Congratulations Vea and the team!

Last updated on 5 June 2024

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