Zombie Short Wins Golden Ape at V48HOURS

V48OURS PRESS RELEASE:

Turns out gold tastes better than brains for team Noise and Pictures, the brand new 2012 V48HOURS Grand National Champion.

The journey to Auckland paid off for the Wellington team, who took home top honours at the V48HOURS Grand Final, held last night at the Civic Theatre.

There’s no shortage of brains among these guys, who also took out Best Script and Best Makeup. The third time entrants scored $60,000 in cash and prizes as well as the prized Golden Ape for their horror film Brains?.

The subversive zombie comedy, complete with an awkward dating moment, enthralled the audience and international judges alike, who called it “hilarious, original and surprisingly touching.”

“We’re really ecstatic to have won, and to be here with some legendary competitors is pretty overwhelming,” said team leader Giles McNeill, who finished with, “Thanks mum, finally I’ve done something good.”

Runner up for the second year was team Lense Flare with their one-shot/crime film The Girl With The Clover Tattoo.

Third place and Best Animation was Sir Peter Jackson’s Wildcard, team Mukpuddy, for their romantic comedy Love In Decay.

The competition, far from undead, has clocked its first decade and 4,062 films. There to mark the occasion was Rose Matafeo to present the TVNZ U award for the Greatest 48 Short of All Time to 2011 champs, Grand Cheval.

“The 10th year of this competition has been as fierce as ever,” says founder Ant Timpson. “Every time I think I’ve seen it all, these guys pull another trick out of the bag. We have some seriously talented filmmakers in New Zealand, and I’m proud that V48HOURS gets to give them the kudos they deserve.

“Making a film in only 48 hours is no easy feat – trust me I know – and to come out the other side and produce such quality is awesome. Even Sir Peter Jackson doubts he could do the same – so well done guys."