Show Me Shorts is the most important short film festival in the Asia Pacific region. We are a competitive, Academy Awards-accredited and BAFTA qualifying, festival that screens in 40 cinemas nationwide.
The 19th annual Show Me Shorts Film Festival will screen during October 2024. The Festival opens in Auckland on Friday 10 October then spreads to 40 cinemas and community venues, and On Demand, over the following three weeks.
OUR MISSION
To connect New Zealand audiences with short films and share New Zealand short films with the world.
A SHORT HISTORY
In 2006 the first festival was brought to life at Academy Cinemas Auckland by co-founders Katrin Hagen, Kate Nicholson, Gina Dellabarca and Tamara Liebman. At this time New Zealanders had a reputation as world-leaders in making short films, but there was no easy way to see the films. We hoped there were more people like us who wanted to.
From small beginnings the festival has grown exponentially. A huge network of people in our community has worked hard to expand our mahi, achieve our mission and build a launch pad for short film makers internationally. We have located the top short films, persuaded local cinemas to screen them, raised money to put on a world-class festival, and advocated on behalf of filmmakers and film lovers. We now put on more than 100 screenings of our selected top short films at 40 venues nationwide each year. We launch the festival with Opening Night events in three different cities (Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch), and we celebrate filmmakers with an Awards Night. We also provide resources, professional development and networking opportunities for aspiring short film makers.
KEY MILESTONES
— Became NZ’s first BAFTA qualifying film festival – 2024
— Listed as a top 20 short film festival globally by MovieMaker Magazine - 2022
— On Demand platform built – 2021
— Festival Strategy Advice service launched – 2020
— Festival Director appointed MNZM for services to NZ film industry – 2019
— Sales agency begins operating – 2017
— Became NZ’s first Oscar®-accredited film festival – 2012
— Expansion to Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin – 2007
— First edition – 2006
NZ’S FIRST OSCAR® & BAFTA QUALIFYING FESTIVAL
Show Me Shorts was granted BAFTA qualifying status in 2024. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences granted Show Me Shorts Oscars®-qualifying status in 2012. Show Me Shorts is the first film festival in New Zealand to achieve these acknowledgements. It means the winners of our top two awards each year (Best Film and Best International Film) are eligible to enter their short films into the Academy Awards®, and all British short films selected for our programme can become eligible to enter the BAFTAS. Our ability to provide a pathway to these prestigious international awards stages is a testament to our strong reputation, and the high quality of films in our programme. For short film makers this enables us to provide more exposure and credibility for talented writers, directors, producers, cast and crew.
PAST PROGRAMMES
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