Six short films have been selected by director Christine Jeffs to contend for the awards in this year's New Zealand's Best short film programme.
The competition is running as part of the forthcoming The New Zealand International Festival for the fourth year.
NZIFF programmers Bill Gosden and Michael McDonnell viewed 75 shorts to whittle contenders down to a shortlist of 12 from which Jeffs, the director of Rain, Sylvia and Sunshine Cleaning selected six finalists.
A jury of three will select the winners of the $5,000 Madman Entertainment Jury Prize for Best Film and the $3,000 Friends of the Civic Award.
The New Zealand Cinematographers Society will present the Allen Guilford Cinematography Award of $2,000.
Festival audiences will be crowd-funding the Audience Award with 25% of the box office going to the film most popular film voted by attendees.
The six finalists are:
Tits on a Bull
What: The star player of a Maori women's rugby team must choose between loyalty to her coach and love for her teammate. Says Jeffs: "The narrative skillfully takes us to the heart of the relationships. Realistic and full of feeling. Refreshing." Director/screenplay: Tim Worrall Producers: Piripi Curtis, Lara Northcroft.
"A charming story with surprising power. A memorable performance from Timoti Tiakiwai, which places us firmly in his world. Funny and poignant all at once."
