Director back at school $100,000 short film premiered in Kāpiti theatre

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Author: Grace Odlum
• Publication title: Kapiti News

Mason, who is now a Los Angeles-based director, returned home to Kāpiti to produce his newest film, a thriller called Safe/Sound which centres around an escaped convict capable of silently breaking into teenagers’ homes in the night, in search of a girl that will bring closure to his terrifying hunt

The film, which Packer produced with his business partner Micah Winiata, premiered on Monday night at Te Raukura ki Kāpiti in Raumati Beach and about 300 people showed up to see it — many of whom were directly involved in sponsoring, donating or producing the film.

In fact, there had been a huge community drive behind the creation of Safe/Sound — with the film having a $100,000 budget and half of that being donated by people in the community.

Packer said raising that money was one of the biggest challenges of creating the film.

“It’s really hard to ask people for money. And to get people who don’t typically watch a lot of movies, let alone even know anything about making them, in a small town ... and say, ‘I’ve got this stupid idea I want to do and can you give me $1000 to do it’.”

But while asking for the money initially was challenging, Packer said it was fulfilling to see the people who donated watch the film.

“It was so cool and full circle to see those people come out tonight and enjoy something they...