Production Shed.TV’s Kaitangata Twitch has won Best Dramatic Presentation at this year’s Sir Julius Vogel Awards.
A thrilling New Zealand mystery drama, Kaitangata Twitch is based on the novel by internationally renowned author Margaret Mahy about 13 year old, Meredith, and her connection to a mysterious island, Kaitangata, where a young girl vanished fifty years previously.
The Sir Julius Vogel Awards [named after the NZ Prime Minister who in 1889 wrote what was probably the first full length Science Fiction novel by a Kiwi, Anno Domini 2000 - A Woman's Destiny] are fan-based, with voting taking place prior to and during the National Science Fiction convention each year. Members of the convention and/or SFFANZ (Science Fiction, Fantasy and fandom in New Zealand) chose from the science fiction, fantasy or horror genres for works including novels, short stories, art and moving image. Kaitangata Twitch shared the title with prime-time drama This Is Not My Life. Comments director Yvonne Mackay, who directed all thirteen half-hour episodes: “It is a credit to the people that invested in Kaitangata Twitch, Margaret Mahy’s creativity and good name and the high quality production values on this family show, that we could hold our own with a big budget adult series. It is a pity however that in these times, so little money is available to make this type of quality drama for children.”
Kaitangata Twitch has already received Platinum, the top award, at the Houston World Fest; was a finalist at the esteemed Prix Jeunesse festival in Germany and for Best Non-Animated or Mixed Series category at the Kidscreen Awards in New York. It was also nominated for eight Qantas Film & Television Awards in New Zealand, winning three - Best Actor for George Henare; Best Production Design (Gary Mackay) and Best Sound Design (Steve Finnigan, James Hayday & Tom Miskin).
Maori Television screened the series last year and will run it again in July on Saturday evenings at 7.00pm. The DVD will also be available in August through Madman who will release it in Australia towards the end of the year.
The latest Margaret Mahy projects in development by ProductionShed.Tv include a ghost and technology tween drama series and a DVD for the family home market of Mahy reading some of her favourite magical poems and stories.