Seven kiwi short films are being projected outside on the big screen at Federation Square's Lunch Time Shorts in Melbourne to celebrate Waitangi Day.

The films were selected from the 2007 Show Me Shorts Film Festival line-up by the Federation Square team, and will play in three half-hour programs, with two or three films in each.Seven kiwi short films are being projected outside on the big screen at Federation Square's Lunch Time Shorts in Melbourne to celebrate Waitangi Day.

The films were selected from the 2007 Show Me Shorts Film Festival line-up by the Federation Square team, and will play in three half-hour programs, with two or three films in each.Melbournians and kiwi ex-pats alike are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy this collection of short films.

The seven films selected include the 2007 winner of the Show Me Shorts Best Film award, 'A Very Nice Honeymoon' by Jeff and Phill Simmonds.

Dellabarca says, "The films selected have a strong historical leaning, examining colonial and WWII landscapes, plus the family ties that bind us together. These are themes we think Australians will relate strongly to."

Show Me Shorts Festival Director Gina Dellabarca is delighted with this development, which she attributes to the contacts established by Melbourne based team member Kate Nicholson.

"This initiative gives us the opportunity to reciprocate, bringing Kiwi short films across the Tasman to Australians just as we bring Australian short films to New Zealanders every year."

Entries for the 2008 Show Me Shorts Film Festival open on Friday the 1st of February.

The free event is projected on a large outdoor screen at 1pm and 5pm every day from the 2nd to the 15th of February.

The seven short films are:

The King Boys
Christopher Clark / New Zealand 2006 / Drama / 15min
A boy wrestles to resurrect his family's buried dream. Awards/previous festival screenings: NZ Intl Film Fest. Winner Show Me Shorts Panavision Special Jury Prize 2007 (John Harding for Art Direction).

Danny Boy
Anita Langthaller & James Ratahi/ NZ 2006/ Drama/ 14min15sec/ World Premiere
A boy's emotionally devoid relationship with his Koro reaches the ultimate test when Danny loses his only confidant - Harry the pig.

A Very Nice Honeymoon
Jeff & Phill Simmonds, New Zealand 2006, Animation, 10min
A beautifully told true story about the filmmakers' great grandparents, Mariano & Elizabeth Vella, who were on the steamer SS Wairarapa when it was wrecked on the coast of Great Barrier Island in NZ in 1893. Awards/previous festival screenings: Maui Film Fest (Hawaii). Winner of the Show Me Shorts Best Film 2007.

Shadow Over The Sun
Rachel Douglas / New Zealand 2006 / Drama / 8min14sec
A new mother in colonial NZ is visited by a tui in her garden, with the bird comes fear and hope for a new life. Finalist Show Me Shorts 2007 Atlab Best Technical Contribution (David Paul for Cinematography).

Hawaikii
Mike Jonathan/ New Zealand 2006/ Drama/ 11min
A father and daughter take their first steps into a foreign world. Awards/previous festival screenings: 'Best Short Drama' - ImagineNATIVE (Canada) / 'Best Film' - Magma (Rotorua)

Dead Letters
Paolo Rotondo / New Zealand 2006 / Drama / 13min20sec
In WWII Wellington an unlikely romance sparks amidst the stacks of air graph letters destined for 'our boys' abroad. Awards/previous festival screenings: Telluride (USA) / NZ Intl Film Fest / Italian Film Fest (NZ) / Salento Finibus Terrae (Italy). Finalist Show Me Shorts 2007 Panavision Special Jury Prize (Grant Major for Art Direction).

Rose
Jo Hiles / New Zealand 2005 / Drama / 9min / NZ Premier
What if you sold roses to lovers on the worst day in the world to be lonely and single? Awards/previous festival screenings: Newport Beach Film Fest / Rhode Island Intl Film Fest / Bahamas Intl Film Fest / Beverly Hills Film Fest

Dates: February 2 - 15, 2008
Time: 1pm and 5pm,
Duration: 30mins
Location: Big Screen and Atrium Screen, Federation Square - corner Swanston and Flinders Streets, Melbourne

06/02/08