NEW ZEALAND

New kiwi short film, LAMBS, has been selected to screen at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival – widely regarded as the world’s premiere short film event.  LAMBS was selected from over 5,000 worldwide submissions.

Funded through the New Zealand Film Commission short film funding initiative,  Fresh Shorts, LAMBS tells the story of Jimmy, a big-hearted fourteen year old boy facing a difficult decision – stay in his abusive home to protect his younger siblings, or leave to start a new life of his own.

Written and directed by Wellington filmmaker, Sam Kelly, the script for LAMBS emerged from research for a feature film he is writing, and time spent meeting ‘at risk’ youth from Wellington, New Zealand. 

“There were similarities in many of their lives, often facing neglect, abuse, drugs, and gang affiliations. I felt disturbed that children in my developed country were in survival mode, yet moved by the courage and heart that many of the kids showed“ says Kelly.

The film was shot just outside Wellington, in the Porirua City suburb of Cannons Creek.   Casting Director, Yvette Reid, spent six months casting the film almost entirely from non-actors. Reid and Kelly scoured schools, supermarkets, boxing clubs and netball courts to audition over 300 people for the film.  The lead role of 14-year-old Jimmy was a challenging role to cast, needing both a tough exterior and emotional openness. Waka Rowlands instantly stood out with his naturalism, belief in the situation, and emotional access. Waka’s performance as Jimmy has impressed New Zealand casting directors, and promises bigger things. 

Kelly was awarded New Zealand Young Filmmaker of the Year in 2010 by the Screen Producer’s and Director’s Association (SPADA). Together with LAMBS producer, Tom Hern, and an outstanding creative and technical team, Kelly harnessed the Fresh Shorts funding with the SPADA prize pack to deliver an exceptional level of storytelling and craft.

The 34^th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival 2012 runs between January 27^th and February 4^th 2012 -www.clermont-filmfest.com.

Hinetaapora

She is the new milky bar kid, and she is fluent in Te reo.

Blonde-haired, blue-eyed Hinetaapora Short from Rotorua beat out more than 1500 entries to fill the mini-cowboy boots of one of New Zealand’s most well known characters.

Milky Bar spokesman Jeremy Boucher said eight-year-old Hinetaapora was a hit with the judges and New Zealand public alike.

“We opened up this search to all New Zealanders, and it is exciting to have found a winner who not only has the special qualities to come through this audition process but who also embodies New Zealand in the 21st century.”

She is the world’s first female Milky Bar kid.

Three of Hinetaapora’s brothers also entered the competition.

“I think one of them was jealous,” she said.

Hinetaapora attends Te Kura O Tekoutu school and is fluent in Te Reo and also speaks Spanish.

More than 1500 entries were whittled down to a top 10 that featured six girls and four boys.

A panel of judges then picked Hinetaapora as the ultimate winner, but she also had the highest percentage of more than 11,000 total votes received.

“It was not a difficult choice to make,” said Boucher.

In her entry video, Hinetaapora said she would like to become famous.

Proud parents and guardians had been filming auditions of their children since August 9.

Public auditions were also held at branches of The Warehouse, New World and Pak’N'Save stores nationwide.

“We found that there are hundreds of talented kids, which made the judging extremely difficult.”

The finalists will each receive a Nestle hamper and a certificate to commemorate their experience, while Hinetaapora will star in the new Milky Bar television commercial in early 2011.

Hinetaapora’s Milky bar kid audition tape

For the full listing of this story please follow this link: Stuff

Launched earlier this year, Escalator invited filmmakers to form creative teams of two or more individuals and present three first stage applications to the NZFC for consideration. 251 teams responded with 753 feature film ideas. From this number, 12 teams were chosen to attend a three-day low budget boot camp in June, and then given three months to develop one of their ideas. The final applications for full production financing were considered by an industry panel, the membership of which will be announced on the night.

At 6pm on Monday, 1st November, NZFC CEO Graeme Mason will announce the green-lit films.

Simultaneous functions being hosted by the NZFC in both Wellington and Auckland will be connected by a live stream which can be viewed online at the Escalator 2010 Green light website www.escalator.net.nz .

The 10 final Escalator 2010 teams and their film ideas are:

Actress Wanted

Max Currie, Writer/Director; Carthew Neal, Producer

A struggling actress discovers her whole life is being secretly filmed in preparation for her murder.

Bloodlines

Poata Eruera, Writer; Brad Haami Co-Writer/Co-Producer; Regan Hall Director; Tui Ruwhiu, Co-Producer

Champion fighter Achilles Tiki collapses in the boxing ring, waking in an ancient tribal spirit world. Here he must fight against a deadly curse that has blighted his family for generations. If he fails, his son will be the next to die.

Existence

Juliet Bergh, Co-Writer/Director; Jessica Charlton, Co-Writer; Mhairead Connor, Co-Producer; Melissa Dodd, Co-Producer

Existence is a salvage punk Western set in a post-apocalyptic future. Trapped by her circumstances behind an enclosing fence, Freya dreams of escape and pursues a mysterious outsider who can free her. She destroys her world to discover that the reality of her existence was not what she imagined.

House Bound

Gerard Johnstone, Writer/Director; Luke Sharpe, Producer

When serial offender Kylie Baxter is placed on home detention, she is forced to come to terms with her dithering parents, her unsociable attitudes and a tormented soul that lives within the walls.

I Survived a Zombie Holocaust

Guy Pigden, Co-Writer/Director; Harvey Neville, Co-Writer; Zoe Hobson, Producer

Wesley, a young runner on a zombie film set, has the first day from hell when real zombies overrun the film set… Who are the real zombies and who are the extras? Decapitate with care!

Mistletoe

David Coyle, Writer/Director; Bonnie Slater, Producer

Six strangers, each grappling with a crisis of self, meet by chance on a quiet Christmas Eve and are forced to make the most important decision of their lives.

Pornography

Jonathan Brough, Writer/Director; David Brechin-Smith, Story; Karl Zohrab, Co-Producer; Donna Pearman, Co-Producer

Finding pornographic videos of his teenage daughter on the internet stretches military drone pilot Jeff’s tenuous bond with his family to breaking point.

The Void

Gary Davies, Writer/Director; Mike Hohaia, Co-Producer, Alex Clark, Co-Producer

When four friends on a late night road trip plunge off the edge of reality, their fall through infinite darkness threatens to destroy all hope of survival.

Timeslow

Sally Tran, Co-Writer/Director; Omar Crawford, Co-Writer; Owen Hughes, Producer

Henry is forced to re-evaluate his entire life when he discovers the secret to slowing down time and is propelled into a shifting world of intrigue and danger.

Wasted

Steve Barr , Writer; Steve Whelan-Turnbull, Director; Desray Armstrong, Producer

Outside, the horde of shuffling undead want to eat Pete’s brains. Inside, the shuffling old folk don’t like him much either…

For more information, please visit the Escalator 2010 Green light website www.escalator.net.nz

Still, that didn’t stop his agent contacting TVNZ’s news boss last Monday morning, moments after Paul Henry announced his resignation, to volunteer Driver’s name for the top job.

A media commentator has Driver pegged as a front runner for the gig alongside contenders Mark Sainsbury and Sean Plunket, but insiders tell me none is in the frame.

The country’s most public job interview is taking place in front of four million people now that controversial Breakfast host Paul Henry has resigned from his post. Also up for grabs is the female hosting position when Pippa Wetzell leaves to have her third child.

TVNZ stars like Rawdon Christie, Greg Boyed, Peter Williams and Jack Tame will be utilised on a rotation basis until the end of the year.

This will be cheaper for the network than employing a big star to see out the year. Paying current employees days-in-lieu is preferable over a hefty salary for a newcomer, especially in light of the payout Henry is rumoured to have left the building with.

But come next year, a new-look Breakfast is set to grace our screens with two new presenters.

TVNZ will be casting the net far and wide looking for candidates who fulfill the criteria of smart, funny, politically savvy, empathetic and likeable.

The latter is vital. Henry had it in spades, mostly. Driver does not. Neither does broadcaster Michael Laws. The ability to be personable and to hold a show for two-and-a-half hours is no easy feat.

Paul Holmes

Legend of the small screen and the air waves, Paul Holmes is a top contender. He possesses the vital everyman appeal TVNZ is searching for and his return to breakfast media, after retiring from NewstalkZB following 22 years at the helm, would be sensational.

“If Holmes pulls this off,” a media insider quoted, “it would be the greatest comeback of all time.”

“I’d love to throw my hat into the ring,” Holmes quoted, “but I don’t know whether they would think I was too old.”

So, who are the likely nominees?

The new Pippa

Bernadine Oliver-Kerby
Heather Du Plessis-Allan
Joanna Hunkin
Kate Hawkesby
Rachel Smalley
Stacy Daniels
Renee Wright
April Ieremia
Charlotte Ryan
Shavaughn Ruakere
Kate Rodger

The new Paul

Paul Holmes
Jeremy Corbett
Dominic Harvey
Duncan Garner
Jack Tame
Mikey Havoc
Greg Boyed
John Tamihere
Jeremy Wells
Jay Reeve
Rod Cheeseman

For the full story please folow this link:

NZ Herald

To watch some of Paul Henry’s more memoriable public speaking moments please folow these links:

Paul Henry acceptance speech

Maisey Rika-Won the Best Maori Female Solo Artist at the awards in 2009

From the contemporary beat of urban hip-hop and rap to the traditional sound of kapa haka and show bands, Maori Television is proud to bring you the highly anticipated WAIATA MAORI AWARDS (MAORI MUSIC AWARDS) 2010.

The third annual awards show will be filmed live at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings on September 10, to screen on Maori Television on Saturday, September 18 at 9.30 PM.

Co-hosted by Maori Television’s popular presenter Te Hamua Nikora and opera singer William Winitana, the WAIATA MAORI AWARDS recognise and celebrate the contribution of musicians and songwriters to both modern and traditional Maori music.

This year’s theme is `Te Koanga’, which reflects the new spring season, new life and new beginnings.

Executive director Tama Huata says this year’s awards will feature two new additions – the recognition of show bands and a new reggae category.

“The show bands are called the forgotten generation of Maori musicians and performers, so they are being featured this year and reggae is being featured for the first time as its own genre.”

The new reggae category is Best Maori Urban Roots Album – primarily for artists in the urban genre of reggae.

Other categories up for grabs include Best Maori Traditional Album and Best Maori Pop Album

Peter T- Nominee for Best Maori Urban RAP/Hip Hop/Rnb Album 2010

Mr Huata says it is important to have the awards because it provides a forum that Maori music has never had before.

“We’ve never honoured our composers and musicians and singers. They’ve normally had, like in the New Zealand Music Awards, only one category and every Maori had to go into that one category.”

The WAIATA MAORI AWARDS – which will be broadcast in a mixture of English and te reo – also stand out because they encompass both modern and traditional music.

“The commonality is music, whether it’s rap, hip-hop, or kapa haka,” says Huata.

“We have managed to bring everybody to the table at the same time. You’ve got the rappers and hip-hoppers sharing the same stage as our kapa haka type performers. It’s all Maori music celebrated as one event.”

Performance highlights include the Sons of Zion and Showband Aotearoa.

Last year, Nesian Mystik scooped up a range of awards including Best Maori Urban Artists; Best Maori Pop Artists; Best Maori Song; and Best Maori Songwriter.

Another new addition this year will be the appointment of a Waiata Maori Ambassador who will promote the event here and overseas. This year’s ambassador is well-known singer/songwriter, and previous WAIATA MAORI AWARDS recipient, Taisha.

Find out the winners and watch some amazing performances in the WAIATA MAORI AWARDS, screening on Maori Television on Saturday, September 18 at 9.30 PM.

Fur further information about nominees please folow this link: Nominees

Young Sid- Winner of Best M?ori Urban Artist 2008-Nominee for Best Maori Male Solo Artist 2010

Outrageous Fortune

Here is a copyof the top ten programmes on NZTV, recorded as of the 19th of July 2010 via Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

The top programme being watched as of the 19th of July is One news TV ONE, and a new entrant Outrageous Fortune is close behind in second place.

1 One News (TVOne)

2 Outrageous Fortune (TV3)

3 Wild Vets (TVOne)

4 Shortland Street ( TV2)

5 Sunday(PM) (TVOne)

6 National Bank Country Calendar (TVOne)

7 Fair Go (TVOne)

8 Rapid Response (TVOne)

9 Close Up (TVOne)

10 Border Patrol (TVOne)

Let us know what you think about these shows and if they should be the top rating shows

To watch episodes of these shows folow this link:

http://tvnz.co.nz/video

'The Tuamanator'

New Zealand’s national indigenous broadcaster, Maori Television, will present exclusive, live and free-to-air coverage of David ‘Tuamanator’ Tua’s next fight in his campaign to take out the champioworld heavyweight championship title this Sunday July 18 from midday.

Now ranked number two by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), the Samoan strongman is continuing his TUA DE FORCE campaign with his first fight in the United States in almost three years. The Kiwi heavyweight is happy with his preparations ahead of the July 18 showdown against former world title challenger Monte ‘Two Gunz’ Barrett.

Leading bilingual sports presenter Te Arahi Maipi will anchor Maori Television’s coverage assisted by three-time New Zealand boxing champion and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Danny Codling. Colonel Bob Sheridan will call the fights ringside from the United States.

Tua is encamped close to the fight venue in Jersey City – at the Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City – and wants to return the faith his own fans have shown him. His last fight in the United States was a second round knockout of Cerrone Fox in September 2007. However, Tua says he has many supporters and friends in the USA who he knows will be getting to the fight to back him.

“My fans here are just as passionate as they are at home. It’s a great feeling and humbling to know that my fans are still there and still into it for me. I’m grateful for their support and loyalty they’ve always shown for me. My fans have supported me since day one and that means the world to me.”

Under the careful eye of trainer Roger Bloodworth, the big-punching fighter is on-track and anticipates entering the ring at his best weight of around 108kg – the same weight he had when he knocked out Shane Cameron and out-pointed Friday Ahunanya in the first two fights of his latest comeback.

If he can make an impact against Barrett it will help advance his career. Tua has already quickly gained the number two ranking with the WBO but needs a convincing victory against the experienced Barrett – preferably by his trademark knockout – to increase his marketability. His WBO Asian Pacific and WBO Oriental Heavyweight belts are on the line. “All is good and I’m working hard, and taking it one day at a time.”

For this fight, Tua will be wearing black trunks with pink logos and emblems in honour of his mother, Noela Tua, who has breast cancer, and for his wife’s sister, Vania Savilla-Siteine, who also has cancer.

Tune in to TUA DE FORCE – exclusive, live and free-to-air in New Zealand on Maori Television this Sunday July 18 from midday.

If you want more information about Maori Television please folow this link: http://www.maoritelevision.com/default.aspx

If you want more information on David Tua please folow this link: http://www.davidtua.net/Record.asp

Shortland Street

Here is a copyof the top ten programmes on NZTV, recorded as of the 12th of July 2010 via Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

The top programme being watched as of the 12th of July is One news TV ONE, and four reality TV type shows featuring in the top ten list as well.

1 One News TVOne

2 Wild Vets TVOne

3 Shortland Street TV2

4 Sunday(PM) TVOne

5 Coronation Street TVOne

6 Close Up TVOne

7 Border Patrol TVOne

8 Rapid Response TVOne

9 The Investigator Special TVOne

10 Police Ten 7 TV2

To watch some of these programmes please visit TVNZondemand and folow this link: http://tvnz.co.nz/video

Programme: Channel:

New Zealand Next top Model Wildcard Entry

ONLY 3 MORE DAYS LEFT… TO MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE TO GO INTO THE RUNNING TO BECOME NEW ZEALAND’S NEXT TOP MODEL!!!

Hundreds of girls throughout the country flocked to audition venues in the hope of becoming New Zealand’s Next Top Model. But – we announced a new twist, one of these sought-after spots is being left open for a Wild card entrant. The Glassons Wild Card competition gives anyone, whether they have auditioned or not, the chance to enter.

So for the first time in Next Top Model history a public vote will determine one of the final 33 contestants.

There’s three more days to enter!!

Entries can be made online by uploading photos to the Glassons website: ggirls.co.nz until Sunday June 20.

Voting opens Monday June 21 with a one vote limit per person. A continuous live poll shows the Wild Card Top 5.

Audition criteria still apply. Entrants must be 170cm or taller and aged between 16 – 25 years as of July 3 2010.

The lucky wild card entry winner will be notified by phone on Friday June 25, and will automatically enter the final 33 in the running to become New Zealand’s Next Top Model.