Shorts outdoors with gongs

Oscar nominee Taika Waititi is one of the judges for the Richmond Rd School Film Awards.

Taika Waititi has made short films pretty damn cool after getting nominated for an Oscar.

And what do you know, the Fourth Annual Local Shorts Outdoors is on at Richmond Rd School in Ponsonby on April 2.

In past years the evening has featured a mix of local and international short films shown on a huge inflatable screen on the school grounds.

But this year's event will double as the inaugural Richmond Rd Short Film Awards, which have drawn more than 50 entries from all over the country.

Now, 12 finalists have been chosen and all the films will be screened at Local Shorts Outdoors, followed by an awards ceremony to hand out "the Richies".

Judges include actor Cliff Curtis and Waititi, who will decide the winners of the best director, best screenplay, best performance and best film categories. The people's choice award will be decided by text vote from the audience on the night.

Meanwhile, calls are being made for documentary films to feature at DOCNZ from September 15 to 28 at Auckland's Academy Cinema.

The inaugural documentary film competition is open to both feature and short films and hopes to promote documentary film-making and make it more accessible to the public.

Entries close on April 30.