Richard Taylor is the co-founder and co-director of the Weta companies in Wellington, New Zealand. Richard is the Creative Director of Weta Workshop and its affiliate businesses (Weta Limited and Pukeko Pictures). Richard has been awarded five Oscars, four BAFTAs and numerous other achievements for Weta’s success in the disciplines of make up, costume and visual effects.

“Time and again the NZ short film sector has proven to be a highly effective launching pad for emerging filmmakers and is an important part of the local film industry and the continued successful transition for these young film makers into the New Zealand film industry.

Once again the festival will feature a great range of unique and beautifully crafted stories and ideas from a collection of local creative minds. It is truly inspiring to see the effort, talent and passion that goes into these shorts and it is my pleasure to offer my support to the Show Me Shorts Film Festival and to all our wonderful film-makers and their teams.”

Kate Rodger is TV3’s Newshub Entertainment Editor and Film critic across television, digital and radio, including Newshub Live at 6, The Paul Henry Show and Story. She also writes a monthly film column for the New Zealand edition of the Australian Woman’s Weekly. Her job takes her all over the world covering film premieres and awards ceremonies, visiting movie sets, shooting interviews and filing stories. She is of course a passionate advocate of local film and filmmakers, pushing for mainstream broadcast and digital coverage of New Zealand stories.

“There is such a sense of creative and emotional discovery when it comes to experiencing the always eclectic always original and most often quite extraordinary array of short films which populate the Show Me Shorts Film Festival – so beware, it can become additive! In the years it’s been my distinct privilege to be involved with this little-festival-that-could, I have watched it grow from that little fest into a world-class and now Oscar-accredited cinematic event – a must for filmmakers and film lovers everywhere. Dive in!”

Over the last 20 years Francesca Rudkin has been working in the media as a film and music reviewer (NZ Herald, Breakfast TV, Newstalk ZB), a television presenter and radio host, commercials producer, writer and voice over artist. Nine years ago, Francesca joined Rialto Channel as their resident vlogger, allowing her to indulge in her love of world cinema.

“Short films are a director’s calling card. They showcase a filmmaker’s scriptwriting and storytelling skills, and have launched the careers of many famous directors both in New Zealand and around the world. These films are important and deserve to be seen, and the best place to see them is at the Show Me Shorts Film Festival. The work Gina and her incredible team do to celebrate, promote and support New Zealand filmmakers is truly impressive.”

Carol Hirschfeld (Ngāti Porou) has worked in news and current affairs for more than 30 years. She has held numerous roles with TVNZ, TV3, Māori TV and RNZ, including reporter, director, presenter, producer and news executive. She is now Head of Video/Audio with Stuff.

A great supporter of New Zealand’s short films, Miranda’s first short film as a director, Voiceover, won Best Short Film at the 1997 NZ Film and Television Awards. Miranda has twice been awarded Best Actress at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards and is a 5-time finalist for Best Actress or Best Supporting Actress at the NZ Film and Television Awards. She was awarded a NZ Suffrage Medal in 1993 and in 2004 was awarded a NZ Order of Merit for her services to theatre and the community.

“Show Me Shorts goes from strength to strength. I am proud to be helping to spread the word about the great stories and amazing craft that NZ produces by always showing NZ shorts in my classes. But I am only one person! If it wasn’t for Show Me Shorts and their great networks, far fewer people would be seeing and enjoying NZ work on screen”

Te Radar is an award winning satirist, documentary maker, writer, stage and screen director, failed gardener, and amateur historian. He was also the presenter of six top rating TVNZ documentary series, Global Radar, Radar Across the Pacific, Radar’s Patch, Off the Radar, Homegrown and Hidden In The Numbers. As well as performing comedy both locally and internationally he has worked for Radio New Zealand, The New Zealand Herald, Metro, TVNZ, Maori TV, TV3, Alt TV, Kiwi FM, and various other publications.

“We live in an age of so-called snackable content, but while short films may appear snack-sized the best short films are a lavish meal. The tease of the appetiser, the scrumptious main, the tantalising dessert, the espresso, chased down by the port, and all within one film, in a few glorious minutes.”

Nick Ward broke into feature screenwriting with pool comedy Stickmen. An instant Kiwi hit, Stickmen won Ward a 2001 NZ Film Award for best script. He went on to originate and co-write hit romance Second-Hand Wedding, and reconvened with Wedding director Paul Murphy for 2011 follow-up Love Birds. Ward has also penned episodes of TV series Outrageous Fortune and Burying Brian, and horror flick The Ferryman.

“A great short film is like that first stolen kiss in the back of the bus when you’re a teenager. Short, sweet and you’ll never forget how it made you feel.”