News
Invitation to Otago film makers
Short Film Otago has a new funding round open for new writers and filmmakers.
It is calling for scripts/film ideas/outlines for development and possible funding.
Applications are now open and close 5pm, Sunday August 18, 2019.
A registered charitable trust, Short Film Otago offers a “first step” initiative for emerging Otago writers and local film makers. Otago writers and film makers early in their career can apply for $500 script development grants and budgets of up to $10,000 to produce films, to help build experience and talent. Prior film making experience is not required, and feedback and mentoring is provided. School students are especially encouraged to apply.
SFO supports selected writers through script development, and oversees two or three of the best scripts each year going through production.
Two recent SFO productions are just beginning a round of International Film Festivals and another has just been shot in St Bathans. SFO productions have been selected for screening in the NZ International Film Festival (“Winter’s Blight“ is a finalist for Best Animated Short in the NZ International Film Festival in August) and numerous other festivals, picking up numerous awards, and several SFO writers and directors have gone on to make funded features.
Prior film making experience is not required, and professional mentoring and support is provided throughout production. Short Film Otago uses a “blind” assessment process to determine which scripts will proceed to development. Writers of selected scripts will be provided with a $500 grant for further development before final decisions are made on which scripts are supported through production.
Writers applying individually will be given assistance in assembling a production team if their application is successful, and we encourage also writers to apply as part of director and/or producer teams.
Entries are open to anyone living in, or with a strong connection to the Otago region and can be anything from fully finished scripts to one-page outlines – or anything that conveys a clear understanding of the writer’s vision. The entries themselves must be strong, original dramas that are visually interesting and could make films of about 10 to 15 minutes. SFO does not currently fund documentaries.
Projects must be made in Otago using Otago-based film-makers and facilities except in exceptional circumstances. Short Film Otago provides support and guidance in finding crews and facilities.
We encourage anyone with a short film idea to get it in to us.
The Short Film Otago initiative is made possible by support of the Otago Community Trust and members of the local screen industry.
More information about the initiative is available on the FAQ section of this website or by email to contact@sfo.nz.
For any further information about Short Film Otago please contact Al Baddock 021 588 545.
Dunedin film with dark edge wins
8 November 2017
A Dunedin-made short film with a morbid twist has won a top award at an Italian film festival celebrating the darker side of life.
The Short Film Otago-funded Cold Fish has won the best international short film award at the Ravenna Nightmare Film Festival in Italy.
Shot almost entirely at Smails Beach in Dunedin last year, the film centres on an elderly man who wants to kill himself after a life-changing event, by drowning in the ocean…
Inc’d wins multiple awards
The Short Film Otago production, Inc’d, took three prizes at the 2014 Wairoa Māori Film Festival – including the Te Nati Film Fest top prize, Best Actor & Best Short Film Audience Award.
The Te Nati Film Fest prize wins automatic entry to next year’s Te Nati Film Festival in Tahiti & a free trip to Tahiti for the film makers.
Inc’d was one of four productions Short Film Otago premiered at Dunedin’s Rialto in May.
A Māori man enjoying the corporate life he has carved for himself in Sydney returns home for his father’s funeral. Amidst the mourning, a challenge is laid before him.
Writers: Neil Durrant & Darren Simmonds.
Director: Darren Simmonds.
Producers: Darren Simmonds & Ian Bowmer.
Cast: Rob Mokaraka, Juanita Hepi, Paul Gittins.
Dunedin Short Film Excels
10 February 2011
Eden produced by Short Film Otago has received another endorsement to add to its growing list of successes.
Written and directed by Rebecca Tansley, and filmed by Mike Single in 2009, Eden has already been selected for screening at the ION International Film Festival 2009, the New Zealand International Film Festival 2010, and the Africa International Film Festival 2010.
Now it’s been selected by the Auckland Council to screen as part of the Movies in the Park, Auckland Festival programme on Saturday 12 March from 8pm in the Auckland Festival’s festival garden in Aotea square.
Eden is one of 8 films (6 of which can now be viewed online produced by Short Film Otago, which is a registered charitable trust, funded by the Otago Community Trust.
The mission is to generate well-written and edited scripts, and then over-see full production on two or three of the best scripts each year.
Filmed in a remote vineyard in Central Otago, Eden portrays the bond that forms between a young Scottish man escaping a difficult past and a mysterious African refugee.