Wild Boy Productions is an Auckland-based film and theatre production company, founded in 2014 by Luke Thornborough and Lisa Fothergill. In February 2013 we started production on a self-funded short New Zealand Western called ‘Jess’.

The cast and crew worked really hard on this production, which was filmed on location in Hawke’s Bay. All the hard work of the team behind this film has paid off, as we found out about a week ago that ‘Jess’ has been accepted to play in the Short Film Corner at Cannes Film Festival.

We need to raise $4,800 to be able to send Luke Thornborough – writer/director of ‘Jess’ and co-founder of Wild Boy Productions – to France. With a film that was done on a shoe-string budget we are really amazed that it got this far. With your pledge we can get Wild Boy represented internationally and make our dream a reality.

You can help us by sharing our campaign or donating here: https://www.pledgeme.co.nz/projects/2021

Watch the video here: http://youtu.be/k7rp9URgFWs

Cannes is described by The New Zealand Film Commission as “The pinnacle of the world’s top-tier film events.” The Short Film Corner is a section of the festival where up-and-coming filmmakers are able to have their films shown to the world’s leading distributors, critics, and fellow filmmakers.

Also at the festival, there are industry meets, workshops, and conferences, which are designed to share knowledge and prepare producers and directors for the global market. But, to represent the film at Cannes, we need your help. By acting as an ambassador for the film at Cannes, LUKE will be able to take this film so much further, and give Wild Boy Productions a fighting chance in the very competitive world of film.

Not only does it benefit us as a company, but also it gives us the opportunity to represent everyone who has worked on the film. It is a rare and fantastic opportunity and one that will really help us grow as a company, so that we can continue to fuel our passion by making beautiful films here in New Zealand. The recognition that the film has earned so far is down to the hard work and dedication of our cast and crew.

To be able to get this seen internationally is a really rewarding experience for us all. Please pledge, and help us to get Luke to France, and help Wild Boy Productions grow.

About ‘Jess’

In the new and unforgiving land of late Nineteenth Century New Zealand, one girl sets out to find her father. She is forced to fight the elements and those around her as she comes to terms with a harrowing loss. This is a journey that will shake her sense of loyalty and family to its core. 'Jess' is a coming of age story about one girl's journey as she comes to terms with the fallibility of her parents.

Shot on location in the stunning Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand 'Jess' boasts an original score from up and coming composer Celeste Oram, which carries an otherwise silent film. This film draws on the beauty and cruelty of nature and family alike and develops a discussion on gender politics and loyalty, while capturing all the action and suspense of the Western Genre.