“South Shorts has given me the opportunity to connect with industry experts and fellow storytellers, building my confidence to develop my first short film.”– Ava Williams, 2022
The South Shorts Mentorship Programme, an initiative by Script to Screen funded by Foundation North, has made a significant impact on the South Auckland community and creative storytelling over the past ten years.
By fostering local talent through intensive script development for short films, this programme has supported over 80 aspiring filmmakers to develop their creative visions.
The South Shorts programme which runs five hubs over five months, equips participants with essential skills in script and story development.
The fully-funded programme features mentorship by writer and director Briar Grace-Smith and seminars with industry experts. This combination of mentorship and seminars, helps participants build a strong understanding of the film industry and aids them in refining their scripts for further development, preparing them for the next steps in the process.
Since 2015 numerous films developed during South Shorts have gone on to be made and screened in festivals across the world, including:
- Liliu (2018) * – Written and directed by Jeremiah Tauamiti
Watch Liliu here https://ondemand.nzfilm.co.nz/film/liliu/
*Screened at the 2019 Berlinale and was awarded the best Narrative Short at the 2019 Hawaii International Film Festival. - The Messiah (2018)* – Written and directed by Vela Manusaute
*Won Best Screenplay and Best Art Directions at the Pacific Rims Film Festival 2020 - For My Father’s Kingdom (2019)* – Written and directed by Vea Mafile’o and Jeremiah Tauamiti, turned into a Feature Documentary.
*Melbourne International Film Festival 2019 3rd Place Best Documentary - Disconnected (2021)* – Directed by Maruia Jensen
*Melbourne International Film Festival 2019, Screened at Berlinale, Germany, Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival and NZIFF - The Great South (2024)* – Written and directed by Tanira Ormsby
*Selected for MistyFlicks Film Festival, Catchlight Film Fesitval, Wairoa Māori Film Festival, South Pacific Film Festival, NZIFF, Winner of the “Best Student Film” at the Florida Shorts Film Festival, Semi-Finalist at the Berlin Shorts Award and nominated for numerous 2025 international festival awards. - Golden Pig – Directed by Hweiling Ow, now in development as an animated series.
Many alumni have gone on to achieve remarkable success, including:
- Hanelle Harris – Director of SIS Series and Baby Mamas Club
- Vea Mafile’o – Directed Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue
- Onehou Strickland – Directed Sons of Blackbird
- Vela Manusaute – Brutal Lives series
These achievements highlight the programme’s effectiveness as a launch pad for emerging filmmakers. The South Shorts programme has not only contributed to the success of individual participants but has also played a vital role to support the creative community of South Auckland.
“The connections I made were life-changing. I highly recommend these workshops to any filmmaker looking to develop their ideas.” – Kaitiaki Rodger, 2023
“Seeing the progression of my peers and myself is a testament to the quality of the programme and its mentors.” – Dennis Zhang, 2021
As we gear up for the 2024/25 South Shorts Mentorship Programme, Script to Screen remains committed to nurturing diverse voices and stories from South Auckland. The continued support from Foundation North ensures that unique narratives will resonate on screens both locally and beyond.
We look forward to celebrating the next generation of filmmakers and the remarkable stories they will bring to life, further enriching the film industry with their perspectives and creativity.
Support a South Shorts Alumn
Troy Blackman developed his short film script for Zebra as a South Shorts particpant in 2023. Now he needs our help to make it happen!
A MESSAGE FROM TROY:
“When I submitted Zebra to Script to Screen, I wasn’t sure they’d let me in – I used the N-word so much in the synopsis. But from the start of this journey, I’ve been met with so much support and reassurance that stories like this need to be told. I can’t thank Briar Grace-Smith, Script to Screen, my team, and all my Boosted supporters enough for getting Zebra this far. We’re just about ready to cross now!”
LOGLINE:
A mixed-race (Black/White) crossing guard, who is repeatedly called the N-word at school, discovers the power of his voice and learns that sticks and stones aren’t the only things that can break bones.
WHY THIS STORY MATTERS:
Zebra is more than a short film; it’s a call to action, challenging that classic Kiwi “she’ll be right” mentality that can often dismiss the power of harmful language. The film explores how words can leave deeper scars than physical violence, forcing us to rethink the adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” By placing a black narrative within the context of Aotearoa, Zebra offers a fresh, authentic perspective on how to confront racism and use dialogue to bring about change. Our protagonist, Tobe, uses his voice and the system to outsmart his aggressor, presenting a narrative that is both a coming-of-age story and a cautionary tale.
Troy Blackman – Writer/Director (Photo by Abhi Chinniah)
Troy Blackman is an Afro-Caribbean/NZ European filmmaker based in Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) whose work is deeply inspired by his unique ethnic background. Through his films, he explores the complex relationships between race, identity, and society. Zebra is a project born from his lived experience and desire to amplify black voices in Aotearoa, highlighting stories often overlooked by mainstream media. This film is a culmination of his creative journey, developed through the Script to Screen South Shorts Mentorship Programme.
The South Shorts Mentorship Programme is made possible thanks to generous support from Foundation North.
