Entries Called For Film Festival Film

• Published date: 24 May 2023
• Publication title: West Coast Messenger, The

Established by Top of the South Film-makers in 2014, the festival is a diverse showcase of the Top of the South and national film-making talent and enthusiasm

Festival director Douglas Brooks says it's a delight to see how film-making in the region has developed. He co-founded the Top of the South Film-makers in 2014 with Blenheim film-maker Aaron Falvey, who is its current chairman.

"Because film-making is so collaborative, our vision back then was to connect film-makers and develop a critical mass of creative talent so film-makers could put together local production teams," Brooks says.

"We achieved that within a few years and we are now focused on nurturing talent, building experience, and making national connections as well as local.

"It's great to look back from nearly a decade on and see all the relationships and skills built through the group as people get out and make films."

Brooks says the Top of the South festivalFilm Festival is unique in that it is not for profit and entirely volunteer-run.

"It's all about giving back to the film-making community here in Te Tau Ihu," he says. "Ticket sales and entry fees go straight back into supporting film-making in the region."

Top of the South Film-makers offers film-makers grants and education opportunities such as a recent workshop on writing for screen with 800 Words, One Lane Bridge and Shortland Street director Caroline Bell-Booth.

Blenheim film-maker Keelan Walker started his film career as an extra on a film made with the group and entered the festival every year. He is now a film-maker with his own production company, Loud Noise Media, creating documentaries such as Tuia 250 and drama including Bringing Mere Home.

He says: "The Top of the South Film Festival is a celebration of the region's burgeoning film-making scene...