12 teams and their projects have been shortlisted for Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts and they have all accepted their invitation to apply for Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two. Script to Screen and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission thank all the filmmakers who applied for Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One.  

As part of overall budget cuts, NZFC funding for short films has been reduced. You can read more about this in the NZFC December newsletter.   

Subsequently, Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts 2023/24, has shortlisted 12 projects and 3 films will go on to be funded. The development process for the funded teams will remain the same, with a two-day workshop in June and follow-up mentorship as they work towards production.

The shortlisting was a rigorous and scrutable process. “Each application was read by 3 assessors, and they considered the story, the director’s vision and the team’s ability to complete the film. The assessors took it very seriously and long discussions were had to arrive at these 12 projects. Sadly, many excellent and worthy projects did not get through” says Jackie Dennis Executive Director of Script to Screen.   

The genres of the shortlisted projects range across comedy, drama, thriller, horror, historical and neo-noir and include live action and animation. The teams hail from Canterbury, Wellington, Bay of Plenty and Auckland. Three of the projects are re-submissions from previous years.  

We now have great pleasure in announcing the projects and teams shortlisted for Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two of Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts 2023/24. 

Congratulations to: 

 

Image: Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue Photo by Ralph Brown – © Run Charlie Films


Script to Screen and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission
work in partnership to deliver the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts programme.

Join Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission for a live webinar on Tuesday 17th October 5:00-6:00 pm. You will hear about what’s needed to apply for Whiringa Tauatahi – Stage One of Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts and get a complete overview of the application process and the selection criteria.

Register for the webinar in advance and submit a question to help shape the discussion. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the webinar or you can email webinar questions to communications@script-to-screen.co.nz.

Webinar now available to watch on Youtube:

Image from I am Paradise written and directed by Hiona Henare 2021.


Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts is now open for Whiringa Tauatahi – Stage One applications. Applications are made via the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Funding Portal which is open until 1pm, Monday 6 November 2023.

The full criteria and requirements for the assessment of both Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One and Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two can be found on our website. Any enquiries can be directed to Emma Mortimer the Script to Screen Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Programme Manager: freshshorts@script-to-screen.co.nz

If you are unable to join the discussion live, the Webinar will be available for you to refer to afterwards on Script to Screen’s YouTube and Facebook page.

KEY DATES

WHIRINGA TUATAHI – STAGE ONE
APPLICATIONS OPENED: Wednesday, 27 September 2023 (Apply via Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Portal)
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1 pm, Monday, 6 November 2023 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHORTLISTED TEAMS: Early January 2024 

WHIRINGA TUARUA – STAGE TWO
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Monday 15 January 2024 
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1 pm, Monday 26 February 2024 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDED TEAMS: Late April 2024 
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP DATES: 8-9 June 2024 
MENTORSHIPS: 10 June to 19 July 2024 (Six weeks) 


Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts is a New Zealand Film Commission Short Film Fund and Script to Screen manages the reading, assessment, workshop and mentoring aspects of the Fresh Shorts Development Programme.

Kōpere Hou reflects the colour, the radiance and beauty of a new rainbow and is symbolic of the significant display and presence of a well-crafted short film.


Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts offers a rare opportunity to get funding for your short film idea. You can apply with live-action, animation or documentary projects between 4 and 25 minutes. The programme was established to find talent with distinct voices and aims to nurture, challenge, and inspire the selected filmmakers through a development and mentoring process.

Six teams will be selected to receive up to $30,000 to facilitate the cost of making their short film. The teams behind each of these projects will attend a two-day development workshop in June 2024 and be matched with experienced industry practitioners to receive six weeks of mentoring as they get their project ‘shoot ready’.

There are two stages to the application process.

At Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One you will need to have a writer, director and producer to submit  the following:

Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One is open now and will close at 1:00pm on Monday 6 November. Applications are made via the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Funding Portal.

A shortlist of 18 teams will be selected from the Stage One applications and invited to submit a Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage Two application in January 2024. From the shortlist, six projects will receive $30,000 grants. The teams behind each of these projects will attend a two-day development workshop held 8-9 June 2024 and will be matched with experienced mentors to get their project ‘shoot ready’. The focus is on the development of both people and stories.

Criteria and requirements for the assessment of both Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One and Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage Two can be viewed on our website. If you have any questions, please contact Script to Screen: FreshShorts@script-to-screen.co.nz


KEY DATES

WHIRINGA TUATAHI – STAGE ONE
APPLICATIONS OPEN: NOW, Wednesday 27 September 2023 (Apply via Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Portal)
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 6 November, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHORTLISTED TEAMS: Early January

WHIRINGA TUARUA – STAGE TWO
APPLICATIONS OPEN: Monday 15 January 2024 
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 26 February 2024 
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDED TEAMS: Late April 2024 
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP DATES: 08-09 June 2024 
MENTORSHIPS: 10 June to 19 July 2024 (Six weeks) 


Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts is an NZFC initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.


Photographer Xander Dixon. From Hey, Brainy Man directed by Jo Randerson & Loren Taylor 2023

Six filmmaking teams have been selected for Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts. Each team will receive development support, and a grant of $25,000 to make their short film.

Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts is a popular fund; this round we received 89 applications. Eighteen were shortlisted and went on to submit a more detailed application to Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two. From those eighteen submissions, six have been selected.

The writers, producers and directors of the six funded teams are supported to further develop and refine their story, vision, and production plans. They attend a workshop that is carefully planned to meet the needs of these projects, and the filmmakers work with experienced advisors over an intense three-week period. “This process both challenges and nurtures the teams, encouraging them to take creative risks,” says Jackie Dennis, Executive Director at Script to Screen. “The intent is to provide thoughtful support so they can craft exceptional films that get noticed.”

The selected projects include an animation, a comedy and a psychological drama. Team members hail from Northland, Auckland, Wellington, Tasman and Canterbury. Three of the directors are female. Two of the projects had been shortlisted before without being selected and, after further work on their project, resubmitted this year with success. We hope this will be encouraging for the teams that did not make it through this year.

Dale Corlett, Head of Talent Development at the New Zealand Film Commission says, “A huge thanks and acknowledgement to all the applicants for this year’s Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts. It is always very humbling and rewarding for us to read and experience your stories, we thank you for choosing to share them with us. We are very excited about the filmmaking teams and the films selected this year. They are challenging, thought provoking, touching, funny and entertaining.”


The six selected teams and their projects are (L-R):


Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts is a New Zealand Film Commission initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.

 

18 teams and their projects have been shortlisted for Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts. Script to Screen and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission thank all the filmmakers who applied for Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One.

The range of stories and the exciting talent across the 89 applications made it challenging for our independent readers to shortlist just 18 projects. The shortlisted teams have all accepted their invitation to apply for Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two. They have a one in three chance of workshopping their project with industry experts and receiving a grant of $25,000 to make their film.

This year the teams come from Northland, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Nelson Tasman and Canterbury. The genres range across drama, comedy, horror, historical, fantasy, mystery and western and include two animated projects. Six of the projects are re-submissions from previous years. Jackie Dennis, ED of Script to Screen, said “We were all delighted to see the shortlisted teams, and their stories are a great representation of the diversity of Aotearoa.”

We now have great pleasure in announcing the projects and teams shortlisted for Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two of Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts 2022/23.

Congratulations to:

 

Image:  Fetch (directed by Sam Gill 2021)


Script to Screen and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission
work in partnership to deliver the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts programme.

We hear you!

Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts had a shorter application period this year compared to previous years and this has made it tricky for many of you, so the closing date has been extended.

The deadline to submit your Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One application is now 31 October.

For many, this is your first time applying so we have gathered all the information you need in the links below to help you submit the best application possible.

If you are having trouble finding a producer please get in touch with Emma Mortimer, our Fresh Shorts programme manager, as she will be able to guide you.

NOTE KEY DATE CHANGES:
WHIRINGA TUATAHI – STAGE ONE
Applications Close: 1pm, Monday 31 October 2022
Announcement of Shortlisted Teams: Week commencing 12 December 2022WHIRINGA TUATAHI – STAGE TWO
Applications Close: 1pm, Wednesday 25 January 2023
Announcement of Funded Teams: March 2023
Development Workshop Dates: 01-02 April 2023
The full criteria and requirements for the assessment of both Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One and Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two can be found on our website.Any enquiries can be directed to Emma Mortimer the Script to Screen Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Programme Manager: freshshorts@script-to-screen.co.nz

 

 

Image from Fetch directed by Sam Gill, 2021

Join Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission for a live webinar on Thursday 22 September 2022 at 5:30pm – 6:30pm. You will hear about what’s needed to apply for Whiringa Tauatahi – Stage One of Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts to give you a complete overview of the application process and guide you through the selection criteria.

Register for the webinar in advance, and submit a question to help shape the discussion. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions during the webinar or you can email freshshorts@script-to-screen.co.nz.

Image from Fetch directed by Sam Gill, 2021


Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts is now open for Whiringa Tauatahi – Stage One applications. Applications are made via the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Funding Portal which is open until 1:00pm, 10 October 2022.

The full criteria and requirements for the assessment of both Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One and Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two can be found on our website. Any enquiries can be directed to Emma Mortimer the Script to Screen Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Programme Manager: freshshorts@script-to-screen.co.nz

If you are unable to join the discussion live, the Webinar will be available for you to refer to afterwards on Script to Screen’s YouTube and Facebook page.

KEY DATES

WHIRINGA TUATAHI – STAGE ONE
APPLICATIONS OPENED: 9 September (Apply via Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Portal)
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 10 October 2022
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHORTLISTED TEAMS: Week commencing 21 November 2022

WHIRINGA TUARUA – STAGE TWO
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Wedensday 11 January 2023
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDED TEAMS: Mid February 2023
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP DATES: 18-19 March 2023
MENTORSHIPS: 18 March to 21 April 2023

 

Six filmmaking teams have been selected for Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts  2021/22, and each will receive project development and a grant of $15,000 to make their short film.

The final six were selected from 112 applications received. 18 teams were shortlisted and given feedback from independent assessors.  Fresh Shorts programme manager Emma Mortimer supported the teams as they prepared for a more detailed application to Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two in January. From those 18 submissions, six have been selected.  Two teams who were shortlisted last year, but didn’t get selected, did further work on their projects and resubmitted with success this year.

Through a development process and mentoring these writers, producers and directors are supported to improve their projects to an excellent standard where the story is shoot ready. The teams will get the advice they need, and guidance from experienced mentors.

Jackie Dennis, Executive Director of Script to Screen Te Tari Tuhi Kupu A Whakaahua says, “it’s our joy to create a tailored programme that nurtures, challenges, and inspires these filmmakers. We look forward to supporting each member of the teams as they develop their stories and prepare for production.

Dale Corlett, Head of NZFC Talent Development says ” We were impressed by both the talent of all the shortlisted teams and the uniqueness of their stories. We look forward to working alongside the funded teams to bring exceptional films to the screen.”

 

The 6 selected teams and their projects are:

Script to Screen and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission would like to thank all the filmmakers who applied for Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One. There was a wealth of great ideas and some extremely strong talent to select from.

From a total of 112 applications, a panel of external film industry assessors shortlisted 18 projects. These shortlisted teams have been invited to apply for Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two. At this stage, each team will be supported throughout so they can submit a full application.

The 18 shortlisted teams have a one in three chance of workshopping their project with industry experts and receiving a grant of $15,000 to make their film.

We now have great pleasure in announcing the projects and teams who have been shortlisted for Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two of Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts 2021/22.

Congratulations to:

 

Script to Screen and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission work in partnership to deliver the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts programme.

Image: Stuntman (directed by Pavel Kvatch)

Emma Mortimer (Fresh Shorts Facilitator), Jude McLaren (Talent Pathways Manager, NZFC) and Jackie Dennis (ED, Script to Screen) discuss what’s needed for Whiringa Tauatahi – Stage One and how to make your 2021 Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts application shine. The purpose of the webinar was to give an overview of the application process and guide you through the selection criteria.

The full criteria and requirements for the assessment of both Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One and Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two are on our website: https://script-to-screen.co.nz/fresh-…

Applications are made through the Fresh shorts Portal: https://freshshorts.nzfilm.co.nz/

Any enquiries can be directed to Emma Mortimer the Script to Screen Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Programme Manager: freshshorts@script-to-screen.co.nz

This webinar took place on Thursday 16 September 2021 at 5:30pm.

 

 

  • NEWS
  • Development Programmes
  • Talks
  • Workshops
  • Tutorials
  • Script Development Service
  • JOIN
  • Big Screen Symposium