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2011 has been hugely successful internationally for NZ short films and now local audiences will get to see and celebrate these films and film makers.

The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has selected ten that have screened to acclaim at international film festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Berlin and Tribeca in New York.

2011 has been hugely successful internationally for NZ short films and now local audiences will get to see and celebrate these films and film makers.

The New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has selected ten that have screened to acclaim at international film festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Berlin and Tribeca in New York.

The MIC Homegrown programme will run in Auckland on July 15th and 16th before travelling with the festival nationwide.

This year the MIC Homegrown Short Film Programme is split into three individual programmes – Works on Film, Drama and Flights of Fantasy – the films offer a selection of works from a diversity of directors that truly represents NZ’s multi-cultural creativity. A total of twenty short films will screen through the MIC Programmes.

In a continued commitment to NZ film and film makers the NZIFF has also chosen to programme a large number of NZ short films to run in front of feature films during the festival’s main programme. This will let an even broader audience see the work of NZ’s new generation of film makers.

“There’s always an element of serendipity in matching up shorts with features, so we were very pleased to see what we think are ideal positions for getting ten very different Kiwi shorts in front of big Festival audiences this year” said Bill Gosden, director of the NZIFF.

Deborah Lawler-Dormer, the Short Film Programme curator said “This year it’s great to support such a diversity of voices. Alongside the NZFC funded films we have independent films that have been created purely by passion and commitment to the art form.”

NZIFF has also expanded its support of emerging film makers this year through a new initiative in Auckland at the Wintergarden (under The Civic Theatre) which will be utilised as The Film Café. Additional historic short film collections, film maker discussions and panels are all being programmed to give local film makers a chance to get even more out of the International Festival.

Twelve of the films selected have been funded through the NZ Film Commission – details below:

Koro's Medal, directed by James Barr, had it's international Premiere at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. As a film made for children it will screen at the NZIFF in front of a (currently secret) children’s feature film.

Blue, directed by Stephen Kang, has just won the Best Short Film Prize at the Semaine de la Critique in Cannes..

Meathead, directed by Sam Holst, was one of nine films selected to compete at Festival du Cannes this year. Meathead has also been selected for the Melbourne International Film Festival.

Ebony Society, directed by Tammy Davis, has screened at Sundance, Berlin and Message Sticks in Australia. Tammy has attended all three festivals and has been funded for his next short film which is in pre-production now.

Go The Dogs, directed by Jackie van Beek, had its World Premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. Jackie is currently in post-production on two more short films and developing a feature film to be shot in the Mackenzie country.

Preferably Blue, directed by Alan Dickson, has screened at SXSW, Tribeca and Stuttgart Film Festivals. Alan has been short listed with the NZFC low Budget scheme ‘Escalator’ with an animated feature film he is developing.

Hauraki, directed by Kirsten Green, had its World Premiere at Tribeca earlier this year. The film stars Kirsten’s daughter Coco Lovatt and was initially self-funded.

Meniscus, directed by Maria-Elena Doyle, is about to have its World Premiere at Annecy International Animated Film Festival. It’s the first NZ film to be selected for this prestigious festival. Elena has also been funded to produce her next short film entitled ‘Inorganic’ this year.

Eeling, directed by Peter McCully, has recently been selected to screen at the Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival in Korea, Asia's largest genre film gala.

Bird, directed by Jane Shearer and Steve Ayson, has been selected by Sydney International Film Festival and Palm Springs in the US. This film is the third in a highly successful collaboration between the directors which started with The French Doors in 2001 and was followed by Nature's Way which was selected for Cannes in 2006.

Monifa, directed by Luke Savage, is hot off the press and has been completed just in time for the NZIFF so this screening will mark the film’s World Premiere.

Elaine Rides Again is directed by Michelle Savill, who has just completed a 3 month internship with leading independent film company Killer Films in New York.