Short Film POD

Whenua Films has announced its shortlist. We received 87 scripts and were impressed by the wide variety of themes and genre that were covered. We were pleased to see an increased number of them dealing with themes of identity, and reflecting a diverse range of experiences of what it means to be a New Zealander. It is scripts dealing with those sorts of themes that Whenua Films were interested in funding and have subsequently shortlisted. The following scripts have been selected to further develop:

Film Writer Director Producer
Run Louis Sutherland Mark Albiston Robin Murphy
A Shadow Over the Sun Rachel Douglas Rachel Douglas Michelle Turner
Coffee & Allah Shuchi Kotari TBC Shuchi Kotari &
Sarina Pearson
Breakfast Leonie Reynolds Leonie Reynolds Benedict Reid
Wai Tearepa Kahi Tearepa Kahi TBC

The New Zealand Film Commission has appointed Whenua Films to manage the development and production of the Short Films Fund for 2005/2006. Download the guidelines here and submission form here.

POD Info

Our challenge to applicants is to bring a story that describes, whether overtly, subtly, thematically, visually or blatantly in content, who you are and how you fit into this place, this world or this time.

We are interested in helping writers/directors/producers/crews to develop sustainable careers. We don't expect people to have all of the answers but we expect them to have some real goals for a career in filmmaking.

We will fund 3 films with budgets of around $100,000. Script development assistance will be provided to short listed films requiring additional work.

Tender Group Aims

  • To challenge all New Zealanders to tell their own stories passionately and honestly;
  • To identify emerging talent with long term potential for filmmaking;
  • To build successful teams with long term potential;
  • To aid in the development of more highly crafted scripts;
  • To aid in the development of more highly skilled Maori Producers;
  • To encourage industry wide talent development through all skills

    Applcation Criteria

    We must ask our filmmakers: Who are you? Where are you from? What is the story that you most need to tell? We will be looking for the following criteria:
  • Narrative or character driven stories that are universally recognisable within a uniquely NZ context;
  • Scripts with strong original ideas that know what they are about and what they want to achieve;
  • Demonstration of aptitude and passion to move into features;
  • It will be expected the successful applicant(s) would have a track record of quality finished material and the skills and energy to deliver a high quality film;
  • Scripts submitted do not necessarily require a director or producer attached, a maximum of 2 scripts per writer may be submitted.
  • Scripts should be a maximum of 15 minutes.

  • If you submitted last year you only need to resubmit your script and any notes on changes since your last proposal. If your script has not changed, you do not need to resend. In both cases you should call or email to notify us that you want your script reconsiderd.

    Deadlines

    1 Call for Submissions Mon 29 August 2005
    2 Deadline for Submissions Fri 7 October 2005
    3 Short Lists Announced (up to 6 projects) Fri 25 November 2005
    4 Final selection of projects to green light Fri 16 December 2005