Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission have partnered on the development of 16 short films. The teams behind the films were selected from a very competitive round of 106 applications; and will attend a three-day residential development lab this November as part of the Fresh Shorts initiative.
The Fresh Shorts programme offers grants of up to $15,000 to six new or emerging filmmaker teams to make a short film. The selection also includes experienced filmmakers in new roles. As part of the selection process, each team will attend a three-day development lab in the Auckland region where they will receive tailored script feedback from industry mentors and participate in group workshops to further develop their scripts and strengthen their skills for future projects.
Following the lab and submission of the re-worked projects, six teams will be selected to receive a grant of up to $15,000 to make their short film. An announcement will be made early February 2020.
The 16 selected teams and their projects are (L-R):
Fresh Shorts is a New Zealand Film Commission initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.
What does a successful Fresh Short film look like? Check out three Freshies screening at the New Zealand International Film Festival 2019 along with a selection of other top Kiwi shorts. Watching short films is a great way to examine story, performance, voice and vision – all of the elements required for a Fresh Shorts submission.
The Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts programme features LILIU (pictured) by director Jeremiah Tauamiti, and WAYS TO SEE directed by Jessica Sanderson. Liliu is a period film set in colonial Samoa, where a court interpreter risks everything to help a wrongfully convicted matai. The film comes home to Aotearoa following its world premiere at Berlinale 2019. A young Māori girl meets a mysterious otherworldly woman in Ways To See. This is the film’s world premiere.
Short Connections features MEMORY FOAM directed by Paloma Scheideman, about a challenged relationship, and four other Kiwi shorts.
Kiwi icon Jane Campion selected six new short films for the prestigious New Zealand’s Best Shorts programme, all well worth seeing.
Book now because these popular sessions usually sell out.
Ngā Whanaunga Māori and Pasifika Shorts:
Auckland – Sun 21 Jul and Weds 24 Jul
Wellington – Fri 2 Aug and Sat 3 Aug
Short Connections:
Auckland – Wed 24 Jul
Wellington – Sat 10 Aug
New Zealand’s Best:
Auckland – July 27 and 29
Wellington – Wed 31 Jul and Thu 1 Aug
Refer to the NZIFF Website to find your local screening sessions and to buy tickets.
Put your best foot forward! Start work on your application NOW. It’s just over six weeks until the Fresh Shorts portal closes on August 19 and the deadline will come up fast.
A great application takes lots of hard work and attention to detail. Last minute applications are often rushed and sloppy. Sign up to the portal now and start the application – you don’t have to finish it in one go. And remember there is a wealth of information to help you. FIND IT HERE
FRESH SHORTS is a New Zealand Film Commission initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.
A great short film can launch a career. Check out these top five tips to put your best foot forward in your Fresh Shorts application.
1. DON’T LEAVE IT TO THE LAST MINUTE! Start work on your application NOW. It’s just 24 days until the Fresh Shorts application portal closes on August 19 and the deadline will come up fast. A great application takes lots of thought and attention to detail. Last-minute applications are often rushed and the readers can tell. Put your best foot forward and begin the process now.
2. SIGN UP FOR THE ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL
Fresh Shorts applications must be submitted via the Script to Screen online portal. Sign up today, familiarise yourself with the portal, and take a look at the online application form. Things can and do go wrong when registering or filling in your application and you definitely don’t want to be dealing with technical problems at the last minute.
3. READ ALL THE ONLINE MATERIAL
There’s a wealth of information to help you at the Script to Screen website. Read the guidelines, pointers, samples and other information before starting your application. It will help you focus on what matters. If you have questions after you’ve read all the information you can contact the Fresh Shorts Facilitator at fsfacilitator@script-to-screen.co.nz.
4. PROOF READ YOUR APPLICATION
Know the different between “it’s” and “its”? (Hint: one is a contraction and the other is a possessive.) Not everyone’s great at this and that’s ok, but your application will shine that little bit brighter if you get a grammar/spelling nerd or proofreader to check your work before you push the button. Our shortlist readers will be looking for unique voices, but spelling mistakes, grammatical errors and typos indicate you are not paying attention to detail which is crucial when it comes to film production.
5. SCORE AN “A”
Fresh Shorts is a highly competitive fund which means your script and application must be exceptional. Make yourself a checklist that might include questions like: is it a fresh 😉 idea, is it cinematic, does our director have a clear vision that has been well articulated, have I described how talented our team is, is the budget feasible? Around 10% of applicants will be funded to make their film and the 90th percentile get there by talent, hard work and persistence. Be one of those!
The 2019 round of Fresh Shorts is now open. Guidelines, pointers and other supporting documentation can be found at the Script to Screen website. Applications are made via the Application Portal.
Applications close 1pm, Monday 19 August.
The Fresh Shorts programme offers grants of up to $15,000 to six new or emerging filmmaker teams to make a short film.
As part of the Fresh Shorts development process, shortlisted teams of filmmakers will be supported to attend a three-day residential lab 8-10 November, and to receive mentoring while they refine their scripts and proposals. Filmmakers who have attended previous development labs have been overwhelmingly positive about the experience.
Script to Screen is delighted to have Karin Williams join the Script to Screen team as Fresh Shorts Facilitator. Karin was Development Executive for the New Zealand Film Commission 2015 to 2018 and is an independent producer. She brings extensive experience as a producer and script assessor, and is passionate about supporting the next generation of filmmakers.
The 2019 round of Fresh Shorts is now open. Guidelines, pointers and other supporting documentation can be found at the Script to Screen website
Applications are made via the Application Portal
Enquiries can be directed to Fresh Shorts Facilitator Karin Williams
Applications close 1pm Monday 19 August
Image used is from Fresh Short film Shadow Cut
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FRESH SHORTS is a New Zealand Film Commission initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.
The NZFC is pleased to announce a partnership with Script to Screen to deliver the Fresh Shorts programme.
The Fresh Shorts programme offers grants of up to $15,000 to six new or emerging filmmaker teams to make a short film. More experienced filmmakers can apply for $90,000 grants through Catalyst He Kauahi.
As part of the Fresh Shorts development process, shortlisted teams of filmmakers will be supported to attend a three-day residential lab, and to receive mentoring while they refine their scripts and proposals. Filmmakers who have attended previous development labs have been overwhelmingly positive about the experience and the NZFC is pleased to be able to continue offering this with Script to Screen.
Short films remain an important part of career progression for new and emerging filmmakers and are a valuable stepping stone to longform storytelling.
Script to Screen has a proven track record developing the craft of storytelling for the screen and the careers of talented individuals, and the NZFC welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with this key industry organisation.
The 2019 round of Fresh Shorts funding will open on 14 June, with online application portal available via either the Script to Screen website, or the NZFC website. Applications close 1pm 19 August.
A Fresh Shorts Facilitator will be appointed to oversee the smooth running of the programme and any enquiries can be directed to fsfacilitator@script-to-screen.co.nz.