The New Zealand International Film Festival has us excited for more feature films than we can realistically watch. However, it’s very possible to watch most – if not all – of the high quality short films selected to play at the festival. Some of these shorts will screen with selected features while others will play as part of a curated showcase. Whichever way you come across them, it’s well worth keeping a look out for stories expressed in the very underrated art of short-form filmmaking.
Below are six locally-made short films we picked from a wide variety of Kiwi filmmaking talent. We asked them all to describe their films in exactly ten words, whether or not it would work as a feature, and what reaction they’re hoping to get from the audience.
Madness Made Me
Directed by Nikki Castle
The film in ten words:
Two conflicting accounts of one person’s madness – who knows best?
Would it be possible to extend your movie into a feature, or can it only exist as a short film?
Mental health is a complex topic, one that’s often explored through various forms of art. For me personally and for this story, I prefer the touchstone approach of short film, which hopefully allows for more personal research into the questions asked and because of its length, is accessible to audiences outside of the usual suspects.
What is the one reaction you are hoping to get from your audience?
To always question authority, even when it’s wearing a white coat and a sympathetic face.
Madness Made Me will be playing with screenings of Dreamcatcher.
Mine
Directed by Paloma Schneideman
The film in ten words:
Nature versus nurture. How do we learn to love selflessly?
Would it be possible to extend your movie into a feature, or can it only exist as a short film?
It could make a great feature film if it only existed in that form, but I don’t think it could be extended if the short was already out there. I also think though, the short film medium gives a sort of tolerance for unanswered questions and vagueness of detail, and that mystery really adds to the overall tone of Mine. Maybe that would get lost as a feature?
What is the one reaction you are hoping to get from your audience?
I hope it makes people think. As self-indulgent as it may seem, film is such a great forum for people to think about themselves. If the audience can project their own set of truths and beliefs into the story world of this film, then it means the story has had an effect on them, and that means the work has purpose. Which is important to me.
Mine will be playing with screenings of The Second Mother.
Joseph Gets Dressed
Directed by Gemma Gracewood & Corey Gegner
The film in ten words:
Man attempts to build machine to dress himself; comedy ensues.
Would it be possible to extend your movie into a feature, or can it only exist as a short film?
We thought briefly about expanding the world of kinetic machines out around Joseph Herscher, to take in the history of brilliant nutters like Rube Goldberg, Heath Robinson and Storm P, and the modern whizzes behind the OK Go video and that Honda commercial.
But that would have been quite expensive, and then Joseph told us about what he wanted to do next, so we’re doing that with him now instead. It’s a comedy series about a guy who builds Rube Goldberg machines to bring order to his life, but these machines bring chaos to his sister’s life. It’s called Jiwi’s Machines and it’s full of physical comedy and crazy contraptions. It’s kind of Buster Keaton meets Mr. Bean meets Wallace and Gromit. We’re filming it in Auckland at the moment.
What is the one reaction you are hoping to get from your audience?
Joseph teaches us to look at everyday objects in new and surprising ways. I hope that our audience leaves the cinema with a renewed delight for the hidden potential in all the ordinary things around us.
Joseph Gets Dressed will be playing with every screening of Very Semi-Serious.
No Toast
Directed by Stephen Templer
The film in ten words:
A small pirate sets off on a rollicking sea adventure.
Would it be possible to extend your movie into a feature, or can it only exist as a short film?
Yes it could be developed into a full length animated feature (possibly a musical!) about a small defiant boy pirate.
What is the one reaction you are hoping to get from your audience?
Joy and laughter, and maybe a singalong
No Toast will be playing as part of Toons for Tots 2015, a compilation of animated short films for children aged four to eight.
Madam Black
Directed and produced by Ivan Barge
The film in ten words:
Man accidentally kills kid’s pet and lies to cover up.
Would it be possible to extend your movie into a feature, or can it only exist as a short film?
It’s quite self-contained, but the relationships between the characters could be expanded on in a feature.
What is the one reaction you are hoping to get from your audience?
An awkward laugh.
Madam Black will be playing as part of New Zealand’s Best 2015, a compilation of our country’s finest short films.
Elevation
Written and directed by Tihini Grant
The film in ten words:
Misogynistic, homophobic, bigoted, RACIST… and trapped in an elevator together.
Would it be possible to extend your movie into a feature, or can it only exist as a short film?
Yes, it would be possible.
What is the one reaction you are hoping to get from your audience?
Laughter (it’s a comedy) but ultimately to provoke thoughts on racism.
Elevation will be playing as part of Ngā Whanaunga 2015, a compilation of high-quality Māori and Pasifika short films.
For a full list of short films screening with features, visit the dedicated NZIFF page.
For more info on all the short film compilations at this year’s NZIFF, click on an entry below:
Animation for Kids | Toons for Tots | New Zealand’s Best | Ngā Whanaunga 2015 | Dark Hearts
