Finalists in Film Categories for Qantas Film and Television Awards 2009 Announced

The finalists in 19 film categories for this year’s Qantas Film and Television Awards were announced today.

Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand executive director and awards organising committee co-chair Anna Cahill congratulated all the finalists.

“There were 122 entries for the film categories, and it was an extremely tough job for the judges to narrow them down to 55 finalists.”

Ms Cahill says the standard of entries in the feature film categories in this year’s awards was particularly strong, and reflected the ongoing development of New Zealand’s film industry.

“The number and quality of feature film entries this year proves our film industry is going from strength to strength.”

The Qantas Film and Television Awards programme is jointly organised by the Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand and the New Zealand Television Broadcasters’ Council.

The finalists in the general television, news and current affairs, and documentary categories will be announced on Monday 10 August.

The Qantas Film and Television Craft Awards will be announced during an awards lunch at the Civic Theatre in Auckland on Friday 4 September. The Qantas Film and Television Awards (including highlights from the Craft Awards) will be presented at an evening ceremony at the Civic Theatre on Saturday 5 September.

Qantas Film and Television Awards 2009

Film Category Finalists
Qantas Best Feature Film – budget over $1 million

Apron Strings – Rachel Gardner, Great Southern Television
Dean Spanley – Matthew Metcalfe, Alan Harris; General Film Corporation
Show Of Hands – Angela Littlejohn, Great Southern Television
Best Feature Film – budget under $1 million

I’m Not Harry Jenson – Tom Hern, Six String Pictures
The Map Reader – John Davies, Arkles Entertainment
Untouchable Girls – Arani Cuthbert, Diva Productions
Best Director in a Film Feature (budget under and over $1 million)

Toa Fraser – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Anthony McCarten – Show Of Hands, Great Southern Television
Sima Urale – Apron Strings, Great Southern Television
Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film

Joel Edgerton – Separation City, Separation City Productions
Sam Neill – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Scott Wills – Apron Strings, Great Southern Television
Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film

Danielle Cormack – Separation City, Separation City Productions
Jennifer Ludlam – Apron Strings, Great Southern Television
Melanie Lynskey – Show Of Hands, Great Southern Television
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film

Les Hill – Separation City, Separation City Productions
Peter O’Toole – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Cameron Rhodes – I’m Not Harry Jenson, Six String Pictures
Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film

Nancy Brunning – The Strength Of Water, Filmwork Ltd
Michelle Langstone – Separation City, Separation City Productions
Bonnie Soper – The Map Reader, Arkles Entertainment
Best Screenplay for a Feature Film

Briar Grace-Smith – The Strength Of Water, Filmwork Ltd
Shuchi Kothari, Dianne Taylor – Apron Strings, Great Southern Television
Alan Sharp – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Best Cinematography in a Feature Film

Bogumil Godfrejow – The Strength Of Water, Filmwork Ltd
Rewa Harre – Apron Strings, Great Southern Television
Leon Narbey – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Best Editing in a Feature Film

Harold Brodie – The Map Reader, Arkles Entertainment
Eric de Beus – Apron Strings, Great Southern Television
Chris Plummer – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Best Original Music in a Feature Film

Don McGlashan – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Samuel Flynn Scott, Luke Buda – Separation City, Separation City Productions
The Topp Twins – Untouchable Girls, Diva Productions
Best Sound Design in a Feature Film

Chris Burt, David Long – Untouchable Girls, Diva Productions
Paul Cotterell – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Dave Whitehead – The Strength Of Water, Filmwork Ltd
Best Production Design in a Feature Film

Johnny Hawkins – Apron Strings, Great Southern Television
Rick Kofoed – The Strength Of Water, Filmwork Ltd
Andrew McAlpine – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Best Costume Design in a Feature Film

Kirsty Cameron – The Strength Of Water, Filmwork Ltd
Odile Dicks-Mireaux – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Best Make-Up Design in a Feature Film

Marese Langan – Dean Spanley, General Film Corporation
Deb Watson – The Strength Of Water, Filmwork Ltd
Best Short Film

Mark Albiston, Louis Sutherland – The Six Dollar Fifty Man, Sticky Pictures Limited
James Cunningham – Poppy, Supercollider Ltd
Grant Major – Undergrowth, Octopus Pictures
Best Performance in a Short Film

Ian Hughes – Undergrowth, Octopus Pictures
Cameron Rhodes – Brave Donkey, Robber’s Dog Films
Oscar Vandy-Connor – The Six Dollar Fifty Man, Sticky Pictures Limited
Best Screenplay for a Short Film

Mark Albiston, Louis Sutherland – The Six Dollar Fifty Man, Sticky Pictures Limited
David Coyle – Poppy, Supercollider Ltd
Peter Force, Adam Strange – Aphrodite’s Farm, JoyRide Films Ltd
Outstanding Technical Contribution to a Short Film

James Cunningham – Poppy, Supercollider Ltd
Cushla Dillon – Brave Donkey, Robber’s Dog Films
Ginny Loane – Brave Donkey, Robber’s Dog Films


About the Qantas Film and Television Awards 2009

It is the second year the Awards have been held, following last year’s successful inaugural event. They are the amalgamation of the former New Zealand Screen Awards and the New Zealand Television Awards.

For a full list of categories, and information about the awards, please visit the official Qantas Film and Television Awards website: www.qantasfilmandtvawards.co.nz.

Tickets to the awards ceremonies are on sale now and can be purchased from www.qantasfilmandtvawards.co.nz.

The Qantas Film and Television Awards is delighted to have Qantas as a significant partner and naming rights sponsor of the Awards.

The Awards would not be possible without the financial assistance of the New Zealand Film Commission.

The Qantas Film and Television Awards committee gratefully acknowledges the support from sponsors:
Auckland City Council – Auckland, home of the Qantas Film and Television Awards 2009
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
· Images & Sound

NZ On Air
Kordia Group Limited
Te Taura Whiri i te Reo M
ori (Maori Language Commission)
Atomic Coffee Roasters
AGB Nielsen
Jameson Irish Whiskey
About the Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand

The Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand (SDGNZ) represents New Zealand directors and editors. The guild creates a forum where creatives can define, defend and further their professional industry. The SDGNZ is dedicated to the artistic excellence, employment opportunities and economic wellbeing of its members.

About the New Zealand Television Broadcasters’ Council

The New Zealand Television Broadcasters' Council (NZTBC) is an industry organisation representing the non-competitive interests of free-to-air television broadcasters in New Zealand. The members are MediaWorks TV, Television New Zealand and Maori Television.