Hinekura
Hinekura
Egg Cup Requiem
Egg Cup Requiem
Nancy From Now On
Nancy From Now On

Screened as part of NZIFF 2019

New Zealand’s Best 2019 

Check out the year’s best New Zealand short films as chosen by this year’s guest selector Jane Campion, from a shortlist drawn up by NZIFF programmers from a total of 91 entries.

95 minutes

A total of 91 films were submitted for this year’s New Zealand’s Best short film competition. NZIFF programmers Sandra Reid and Michael McDonnell and communications manager Rebecca McMillan viewed them all to draw up a shortlist of 12, from which director Jane Campion selected these six finalists. A jury of three, actor/director Mirrah Foulkes, journalist/broadcaster Mihingarangi Forbes and Madman Entertainment's Andrew Cozens have selected Egg Cup Requiem as the winner of the $5,000 Madman Entertainment Best Short Film Award. The $4,000 Creative New Zealand Emerging Talent Award was awarded to Nancy from Now On. While the $4,000 Auckland Live Spirit of The Civic Award and the Audience Choice Award, consisting of 25 percent of the box office from the main centre NZIFF screenings, was Hinekura. Jane’s comments on each film appear in italics.

Nancy From Now On 2019

Director/Screenplay

Producer

Alesha Adhar

Photography

Titus Sutherland

Editor

Peter Anderson

With

Bailey Poching
,
Wilson Downes
,
Taungaroa Emile

A young man has a burning desire to be a drag queen. I liked this film for its light-handed yet authentic expression of alt-sexuality and the unforgettable charm of the lead, Bailey Poching.

Winner of the Creative New Zealand Emerging Talent Award.

Krystal 2018

Producers

Jaimee Poipoi
,
Rosie Jones

Screenplay

Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu

Photography

Ginny Loane

Editor

Cushla Dillon

With

Darneen Christian
,
Kawakawa Fox-Reo

A young woman is released from jail and goes straight to a party. Distinguishes itself through Briar Grace-Smith’s tenderly emotional eye on a young girl in fright. The world of her brother’s ‘cool’ friends feels credible, fun and alive, but not wise, not kind.

Egg Cup Requiem 2019

Photography

Prisca Bouchet

Editor

Nick Mayow

A collector reveals the story behind his lifelong obsession. This clever film builds a powerful and unexpected emotion, the likes of which felt new to me. There is not a wrong move in this exquisitely told portrait. It’s a bold, true and quietly brilliant achievement.

Winner of the Madman Entertainment Jury Prize

Golden Boy 2019

Director/Screenplay/Editor

Producers

Alex Plumb
,
Gorjan Markovski

Photography

Eoin O’Liddigh

With

Jarred Blakiston

Elsewhere

A day in the life of a young man with a desire to be noticed. I liked very much that Alex Plumb drew us into mysterious, existential territory, that he trusted the psyche over sense.

Our Father 2019

Director

Producer

Shani McLeod Bennett

Photography

Finn Bowman

Editor

River Ivatt

With

Samara Alofa
,
Leiataua ‘Ma’ Afega Si’ulepa
,
Foua Moimoi Kearns

Two sisters are confronted by a dark history when their estranged father returns. I appreciated the subtle telling of this family drama, especially the standout central performance of the charismatic and conflicted elder sister played by Samara Alofa.

Hinekura 2019

Director

Producers

Sharlene George
,
Kathryn Akuhata-Brown

Photography

Simon Temple

Editor

Luke Evans

With

Amy Kahumako Rameka
,
Te Ohorere Reneti
,
Mere Boynton

Elsewhere

Aotearoa New Zealand In Te reo Māori with English subtitles
18 minutes

In 1600s Aotearoa a young woman prepares for her destiny by undergoing a sacred ritual. An irresistible tale of female empowerment told in a gloriously enchanted Māori world. It’s a super-heroine story about periods, fantastically alive and unforgettable. Makes me proud to be a woman.

Winner of the Auckland Live Spirt of the Civic Award and the 2019 Audience Choice Award