The Sorta Unofficial New Zealand Film Awards

New Zealand film-makers will not go unrecognised this year with an alternative awards show planned in December.

The Sorta Unofficial New Zealand Film Awards came about following a decision by the Screen Director's Guild of New Zealand (SDGNZ) to can the annual film industry prizegiving for 2012.

Previously, the Aotearoa Film and Television Awards brought together movie-makers and the television industry for a joint ceremony. However, due to funding and other factors, the SDGNZ said it would not be taking part in the 2012 awards.

The new event, organised by local film guru Ant Timpson and nzherald.co.nz online entertainment editor Hugh Sundae, will be held on December 4 at the Wintergarden at the Civic in Auckland.

"What started off as a joke between Hugh and me on a Facebook post suddenly became real once people offered to help out," says Timpson.

"We thought this is exactly how an awards ceremony for New Zealand film should be. Not that the industry is a joke but it's a small industry that needs support from everyone to survive and flourish."

He says awards shows are inherently "a bit naff" and the renegade event aims to celebrate New Zealand film and its film-makers "with some awards, amusing acceptance speeches, and, of course, free drinks".

See www.nzfilmawards.co.nz for eligibility dates and other details.

Entries open: Via the website from Monday, September 10 until September 30.
Finalists announced: November 5
Tickets onsale: November 7
Awards: Tuesday December 4 at The Civic, Wintergarden
Streaming: The awards will stream live on nzherald.co.nz

- TimeOut