Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts is an New Zealand Film Commission initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.
Today we are thrilled to announce the talented filmmaking teams selected for this year’s Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts. Three outstanding teams are poised to bring their creative visions to life with the support of development resources and a grant from the NZFC of $30,000 per team.
Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts garnered significant attention this year, with a staggering 119 applications received. After careful consideration, twelve exceptional projects made it to the shortlist and advanced to Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two. Despite facing tough decisions, we are proud to announce our final three selections.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all the teams for their dedication and creativity throughout the application process,” says Jackie Dennis, Executive Director of Script to Screen. “The exceptional quality of submissions made the selection process both inspiring and challenging. For those whose projects weren’t selected, we encourage you not to be discouraged. Your passion and talent shine through, and we genuinely hope to see many of these captivating projects brought to life in the future.”
The writers, producers, and directors of the chosen teams will receive support to refine their stories, visions, and production plans. Through tailored workshops and guidance from experienced advisors, they will embark on a transformative six-week journey to enhance their projects’ potential for success.
This year’s selected projects promise a rich tapestry of storytelling, spanning across horror, animation, and drama genres. We congratulate the talented team members hailing from Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury, whose distinct voices will enrich the already amazing collection of New Zealand’s short films.
The three selected teams and their projects are:
- Close (Live Action, Horror, Thriller)
Connor Slattery (W/D), Samantha Crews (W) and Charisse Uy (P) – Pictured top - I Duok om I Bohuntung – The Owl and the Rainbow (Animation, Drama)
Lynda Chanwai-Earle (W), Jo Luping (D) and Antony Gusscott (P) – Pictured bottom - Turukawa (Live Action, Drama, Magic Realism)
Tulia Thompson (W/D) and Craig Parkes (P) – Pictured top and bottom right
Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts is a New Zealand Film Commission initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.
