[press release from Show Me Shorts]
With just a month to go before this year’s Show Me Shorts Film Festival kicks off, the line-up has been announced.
The 2008 festival will include 41 short films in total, with 15 home grown Australian films and 26 films from New Zealand. The week long event will screen in numerous New Zealand cities including Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Motueka and Whitianga.
The genres are wide ranging, from horror and sci-fi to comedy and drama. There are also plenty of documentaries; a chance to learn more about trains, viruses, buskers and some of the strange folk who inhabit our world.
The festival will be hosting 21 world premieres, not to mention a glamorous awards night in Auckland to kick off the festival.
Two very strong contenders for Best Film this year are gripping Australian drama ‘Before Closing’ and ‘One Shoe Short’, a sweet New Zealand story of friendship. Also 2007 Best Film award winner Phill Simmonds’ new short film ‘Noise Control’ will defiantly be one to watch out for.
Festival Director Gina Dellabarca says, “short films are an escape into the imaginations of some of our most talented artists. This is a vibrant and highly creative medium, where you will find a melting pot of future Oscar winners, part-time tinkers, respected stalwarts, and inspiring geniuses. We are proud to be able to honour some of the best at their craft with awards for Best Film, Best Student Film, Atlab Best Technical Contribution and the Panavision Special Jury Prize.”
The Opening/Awards Night takes place in Auckland on Thursday 6 November, and will be followed by similar events kicking off the festival in Wellington on 13 November and Christchurch on 20 November.
For the full line-up and venues visit www.showmeshorts.co.nz