The New Zealand Film Commission and the Paramount in Wellington are excited to announce the return of short films to the local cinema.

Starting this Thursday - New Zealand made short films will play ahead of most feature films at the Paramount.

The New Zealand Film Commission and the Paramount in Wellington are excited to announce the return of short films to the local cinema.

Starting this Thursday - New Zealand made short films will play ahead of most feature films at the Paramount.

“So many fantastic shorts get made in New Zealand each year, but outside festivals, few are ever seen. The Paramount is an ardent supporter of emerging talent and is thrilled to be able to present these little gems before features,” says Kate Larkindale, manager of the Paramount.

“New Zealand short films are doing unbelievably well internationally, and we see this as a great way to make sure local audiences also get to see our film making talent! With so many great NZ short films available, we hope it’s the start of a long term relationship with the Paramount, and that other cinemas will also follow suit!” says Juliette Veber, Short Film Manager at the New Zealand Film Commission.

Titles being showcased include: Noise Control (written and directed by Wellington based film maker, Phill Simmonds, produced by Huia Lambie), Nothing Special (written by TV3’s Jacquie Brown and Helena Brooks, directed by Helena Brooks, produced by Steve Sachs), Fog (written and directed by Peter Salmon, produced by Rachel Gardner), Take 3 (written and directed by Roseanne Liang, produced by Owen Hughes), This is Her (written by Kate McDermott, directed by Katie Wolfe, produced by Felicity Letcher and Rachel Lorimer) and Careful With That Axe (written, directed and produced by Jason Stutter).

Wellington film maker, Jason Stutter says, "It’s one of the most difficult things about making short films in New Zealand. They’ll play to packed, enthusiastic cinema audiences throughout the world but then it’s more difficult to see them at home. There are loads of brilliant short films dying to be seen by a home crowd, so it's fantastic what the Paramount is doing."

The Paramount is keeping it a secret which short films are accompanying which feature films - just to excite things a little.