BIRDSONG wins at American Film Festival

A graduate film from the New Zealand Film and Television School has won at the Indie Fest USA International Film Festival in southern California.

 

BIRDSONG, Crew 25’s graduate film, directed by Ben Childs and written by Cameron Brown has taken away the Best Foreign Film category at the festival. 

 

A short film, set in stylized 90’s New Zealand, BIRDSONG follows a young boys changing perception of his eccentric father.  He steals a dog; he runs obsessive tests on injured animals and wears a finch-like bird mask.  A tragic turn raises the stakes, the relationship now hinging on the validity of the father’s experiments.

This is the first time that a graduate film from The Film School has won at an international film festival said Sima Urale, Head Tutor, New Zealand Film and Television School.  “It’s great to have the talent of our student filmmakers recognised on the international stage. These festivals provide an opportunity for new talent to be discovered.”

The annual Indie Fest USA International Film Festival provides an exciting and entertaining mix of outstanding independent films from the US and international filmmakers.  This year, the 7^th for the festival saw over 65 films showcased. 

BIRDSONG has also been selected for the Sandfly International Film Festival in Australia.  This festival showcases and promotes Australian and international short-films and music videos; this festival takes place in November. 

Another graduate film from the New Zealand Film and Television School, Entropy, has also been selected to screen at the Sandfly Film Festival.   Entropy and BIRDSONG are the only two New Zealand films selected for this festival and will screen alongside films from Sweden, France, Canada, Mexico, Columbia and Australia.  All films are to be showcased in Germany, Columbia, USA and Australia by The Sandfly International Film Festival.

Having both these films selected and recognised internationally is great for the New Zealand Film School and our graduates said Sashi Meanger, Executive Director, New Zealand Film and Television School.  “Gaining international recognition is what we all dream of.”

The New Zealand Film and Television School is part of Whitireia New Zealand Limited and offers a one year certificate programme in Introduction to Film and Television Production.