Two Minutes of Good Stuff Film Festival winners

Taiki e! Next Gen members Maia Harding, Jaivana Skilton, and filmmaker Steph Barnett. Picture by Tom McGregor

Lawson Field Theatre was abuzz with excitement last Friday as the Gisborne Volunteer Centre hosted its third biennial Two Minutes of Good Stuff film festival.

The evening was to have originally taken place in June to coincide with National Volunteer Week, however, it was postponed because of treacherous weather conditions.

The long awaited screening event showcased local filmmakers capturing participating organisations doing “good stuff” in the community within the voluntary sector.

The evening began with canapés and beverages in the Rose Room before ticket holders were ushered into the theatre for the evenings events. Local identity Bevan Chapman from More FM was emcee for the evening and introduced the Gisborne Volunteer Centre Board of Trustees chairperson, Neil Smoker who warmly welcomed attendees and invited guests.

The theme for this year Volunteers Build Communities, attracted 11 two-minute films illustrating the goodness that happens in Tairāwhiti.

The highly entertaining, informative and sometimes humorous films were shown in succession.

The audience were treated to a 45-minute talk by keynote guest speaker Hilary Barry from TVNZ’s Seven Sharp. The fast-paced, and lively speech had the audience laughing and highly entertained.

Prize-giving took place at the end of the evening with three awards announced by Mayor Rhette Stoltz and presented by Hilary Barry.

The coveted Judges Award was presented to Taiki e! Next Gen. The filmmaker Steph Barnett. Taiki e! Next Gen is a group of dedicated rangatahi/youth who come together to embrace entrepreneurial, leadership and social innovation opportunities.

Both the Gisborne Volunteer Centre Board of Trustees Award and The People’s Choice Award went to Hear4u. The filmmaker Jordan Perry. Hear4u is an organisation dedicated to suicide prevention and breaking the stigma around men’s mental health via healing projects, initiatives and connection.

Each winning organisation received $500 and the winning filmmakers also received $500 each.

Below is a full list of all the organisations and filmmakers that took part in Two Minutes of Good Stuff 2023.

Taiki e! Next Gen.  Film-maker  –  Steph Barnett.  Winners Judges Award

Hear4u. Film-maker Jordan Perry. Winners Board of Trustees Award and The People’s Choice Award.

Tairāwhiti Adventure Trust, filmmaker Haimona Ngata.

Gisborne Wainui Lions, filmmaker Te Aruhe Fox.

Tairāwhiti Multicultural Council colour run, filmmaker Ollie Aldridge.

MV Takitimu, filmmaker Ben Cowper.

Gisborne City Vintage Railway, filmmakers Te Hira Horua, Nathan Mihaka.

Surely Skate, filmmakers Sile Sneddon, Kaj Tata, Te Hira Horua.

Evolution Theatre, filmmaker Hernan Quez.

Smash Palace Pub Choir, filmmaker Ben Cowper.

Jammies 4 June, filmmaker Tom McGregor.

The films will be released in full for viewing on the Gisborne Volunteer Facebook page over the coming months.