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It’s been a dynamic year for the HP48hours with 563 teams participating and the standard of films was really high. We are chuffed with this year’s winner ‘Under the Bridge’ by Cool Story Bro. We had a big focus on encouraging more women directors and this is our first Grand National Winner directed by a woman - Lauren Porteous.  Congratulations to the team - 'Cool Story Bro' and all of the winners of the 2017 competition.

'Under the Bridge' by Cool Story Bro - Review by Liam Maguren

"Writer-director Lauren Porteous and the Cool Story Bro crew made a drama so professional and painfully relevant to New Zealand, it’s almost jarring not to see the Film Commission logo play before it.

Under the Bridge touches on a topic deeply rooted in this country. In a way, it’s disturbing that a film of this quality and sincerity could be made so intuitively as if homelessness in New Zealand is as well understood as rugby union. In other ways, it’s beautiful that filmmakers can demonstrate such an impulse for cinematic compassion that they didn’t have to wait for months to develop the story, get the funding, and a schedule the production.

It’s a film that changes what 48Hours could be. It’s no longer just a celebration about what can technically be achieved in a weekend; it can be a platform to address immediate issues."

Podcast with Lauren Porteous

Lauren Porteous never imagined she would be making films growing up. She has come to filmmaking later in her life which she thinks of as good timing, as she now has better stories to tell. Host Richard Martin interviews Lauren Porteous about the film 'Under the Bridge', the shoot weekend, the accolades from the competition and her path into film-making.

Listen to an in-depth interview with the director of 'Under the Bridge', Lauren Porteous.