Young director hopes short film is a winner + Video

Joel Garman obtained his degree in digital media from the Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill. Photo/Bevan Conley

"Expect the unexpected," says an aspiring Wanganui film director to anyone attending Tropfest New Zealand in New Plymouth tomorrow.

Joel Garman, 20, was born in West Sussex but moved to Wanganui about 10 years ago, and is now a finalist in New Plymouth's Tropfest short film festival for the second year running.

The largest short film festival in the world, it started in Australia and spread to New Zealand last year. It is also held in America and Abu Dhabi, with other places such as China, Paris, Singapore and London all under discussion.

Over 8000 people attended the event last year.

Mr Garman's dramatic film Tunnel was one of the 16 finalists last year, but this year's entry took a more comedic angle.

"People can expect the unexpected and expect to have a slapstick-oriented laugh," Mr Garman said of his five minute "kiwi western" Two Guns and a Funeral.

While last year's film was shot in Wanganui, this one was shot in a quarry down south.

"It's probably a feat in itself, shooting a desert western in Southland," he said.

Mr Garman said the fact his film was the only one set in the past set it apart from the competition.

"That adds production value straight away," he said.

Shot over the month's only two days of perfect weather, Mr Garman said filming wrapped on Sunday, and by Monday it was pouring outside.

Awards for the competition include best director, best actor/actress, best use of VFX, best animated film, and best Maori director.

Mr Garman was hoping for the big prize - best director - which came with a five night trip to Los Angeles to meet film and TV executives, sponsored by the Motion Picture Association and the New Zealand Screen Association.

Tropfest 2014 is on at the TSB Bowl of Brooklands in New Plymouth tomorrow. Gates open at 5pm and screening kicks off at 6.30pm. Winners will be announced on the night and the films should be available on the website and YouTube by the next day.

Joel's 2014 entry for Tropfest

Joel's 2013 entry for Tropfest

Tunnel from Joel Garman on Vimeo.