Join us for a fun night out watching the world premieres of short films, as well as a sampling of other highlights from the festival at the Civic. Meet the filmmaking teams, and hear from festival programmers and visiting international guests. Everyone is invited to participate in the red carpet arrivals with our photographer, and stay to celebrate with us at the Official After Party.

Run time: 102 min

Rating: M - Horror, violence, offensive language & sex scenes.

Proudly supported by: Waitematā Local Board, China Cultural Centre in Auckland, Cake Lab

Wellington Opening Night, presented by Screen Wellington, a UNESCO Creative City of Film

Join us for a very special night out as we launch this year’s Show Me Shorts Film Festival. We will be screening a selection of films from Wellington filmmakers and some of the best and most fun in this year’s programme. Celebrate short films and the people who make them! Hear introductions from some of the filmmakers. Tickets include a glass of wine and snacks on arrival.

Run time: 93

Rating: M - Offensive language, horror, sexual references, domestic violence themes & suicide themes.

Proudly supported by: Wellington City Council, Screen Wellington a UNESCO Creative City of Film, China Cultural Centre in Wellington, Lion Foundation, The Amazing Travelling Photobooth

The launch of the Christchurch season of Show Me Shorts features a specially curated selection of Christchurch-centric films and some of the best and most fun films from this year’s programme. Meet local filmmakers and hear from the festival team as they introduce the night. Celebrate short films and the people who make them! Tickets include a glass of wine and snacks, plus introductions from filmmakers.

Run time: 84 min

Rating: M - Violence, sexual references & offensive language.

Proudly supported by: Christchurch City Council

Highlight short films from the festival are collected in this tasty package.

Inspiring and thoughtful stories include a boxing nun, an AI robot, a dedicated teacher and a Palestinian man trying to return home. Much loved stars Hugh Bonneville, Marlon Williams, Thomas Sainsbury and Alison Bruce make an appearance. We have some fun with an out-of-his-depth dad at a twirling competition and a maniacal ice-cream seller on the beach.

Run time: 102 min

Rating: M - Violence, offensive language, sexual references & content that may disturb

In this collection of short films for children and their families, cute animals and natural environments come to life in vibrant animations; an aspiring young warrior goes on a valiant quest; a much-loved soft toy comes to life; and gnomes declare war on an unsuspecting golf course. Find out why this is one of the most popular sections of Show Me Shorts.

Run time: 74 min

Rating: PG - Some scenes may scare very young children

Best for ages: 7 - 12 years

New Zealand filmmakers are known for their iconic coming-of-age stories, lush farmland locations and rich cultural traditions. They are also celebrated for their innovative world-building and bold, original ideas.

The short films in this collection demonstrate all of that and more. Classic Kiwi actors Rawiri Paratene, Ginette McDonald, Nathanial Lees and Katlyn Wong headline.

Meanwhile magical realism and science fiction worlds creep into the lexicon of Aotearoa.

Run time: 99 min

Rating: M - Offensive language, domestic violence themes & suicide themes.

Join us for these special captioned screenings of Aotearoa.

New Zealand filmmakers are known for their iconic coming-of-age stories, lush farmland locations and rich cultural traditions. They are also celebrated for their innovative world-building and bold, original ideas.

The short films in this collection demonstrate all of that and more. Classic Kiwi actors Rawiri Paratene, Ginette McDonald, Nathanial Lees and Katlyn Wong headline.

Meanwhile magical realism and science fiction worlds creep into the lexicon of Aotearoa.

Run time: 99 min

Rating: M - Offensive language, domestic violence themes & suicide themes.

Join us for these special captioned screenings of The Sampler.

Highlight short films from the festival are collected in this tasty package.

Inspiring and thoughtful stories include a boxing nun, an AI robot, a dedicated teacher and a Palestinian man trying to return home. Much loved stars Hugh Bonneville, Marlon Williams, Thomas Sainsbury and Alison Bruce make an appearance. We have some fun with an out-of-his-depth dad at a twirling competition and a maniacal ice-cream seller on the beach.

Run time: 102 min

Rating: M - Violence, offensive language, sexual references & content that may disturb

Calling short film makers, students and anyone interested in learning more about what goes on behind the scenes in making movies. Join us for a day of interactive professional development workshops, filmmaker talks, networking and screenings of short films. Tickets provide entry to all of the following events.

1 Filmmaker Talk*

Learn more about making short films in this moderated discussion with three top short filmmakers. Hear candid stories, watch the short films and get the opportunity to ask questions.

Moderator: Jack Nicol - Programmer and Marketing & Materials Manager at Show Me Shorts. Speakers & films screening:

• Alyx Duncan, director of Growing Still

• Chunjing Zhang, director of 立秋 (Untitled) (China)

• Raymond Edwards, director of Ace

Sun 12 Oct, 12:00-1:30 pm
Academy Cinemas, 44 Lorne Street, Auckland
Rating: to be advised

*Tickets to this session are included for Industry Day passholders, but can also be purchased separately.

2 Growing Animation in Aotearoa

The animation sector of New Zealand's screen industry is poised for growth. Driven by a combination of local talent, government support and increasing global collaboration. The emphasis on storytelling and cultural representation continues to make New Zealand a significant player in the animation landscape. How can we foster this growth and position for the future?

Moderator: James Cunningham - award winning animated filmmaker, CG Supervisor.

Speakers: 

• Professor Sun Lijun- Vice Chair of Beijing Film Academy, lecturer and multi-award winning director; director of 门神 (Door Gods).

• Ryan Cooper - co-founder of Mukpuddy Auckland animation studio who recently completed work on Bad Jelly.

• Allan George - award winning writer, director, editor and colourist; writer/director of Mirumiru.

3 Speed Networking

Structured networking that gets you in front of key programmers and content curators from New Zealand and abroad. Practice pitching your film and meet great people. Afternoon tea is on us.

Table Hosts:  Dale Corlett - Script to Screen, Tui Ruwhiu - DEGANZ, Jaime Smith - Whakaata Maori, Hayley Weston - NZFC, Alix Whittaker - Hot Candle Wave & Candlelit Pictures (Producer), Jim He – NZ China Film Festival, Leela Menon & Fraser Brown – FluroBlack (Producers), Sonara Southcombe-Wallace – Nga Aha Whakaari

Location: The Classic

4 Casting Top Talent
presented in partnership with DEGANZ

Short films benefit massively from involving high profile talent. Casting can be a daunting prospect for filmmakers starting out. In this panel discussion we hear practical advice about the process for approaching well known actors and rising stars.

Moderator: Mark Prebble - Festival Manager at Show Me Shorts. Speakers: 

• Kate McGill - actor/director/casting director, directed Farm

• Tanea Heke - actor, and Tumuaki & Poutūhono at Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School

• Mike Minogue - actor/casting director

5 Awards Ceremony

Acknowledge and celebrate our best and brightest filmmaking talent. Show Me Shorts is an Oscar-qualifying film festival, meaning the winners of the top awards will become qualified for entry to the Academy Awards®! Glass of celebratory bubbles provided.

Prizes will be presented in these categories: 

1. Department of Post Best NZ Film Award

2. Best International Film Award

3. NZ On Air Best Music Video Award

4. DEGANZ Best Director Award

5. DEGANZ Best Editor Award

6. Toi Whakaari Best Actor Award

7. Best Cinematographer Award

8. Script to Screen Best Screenplay Award

6 Award Winning Films*

Watch all the winning short films from the Show Me Shorts awards in one session. Enjoy the very best in local and international short film making.

Sun 12 Oct, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Academy Cinemas / The Classic

$60.00

Proudly supported by: Vista Foundation, Creative Communities

More information here.

Learn more about making short films in this moderated discussion with three top short filmmakers. Hear candid stories, watch the short films and get the opportunity to ask questions.

Speakers & films screenings:

Alyx Duncan, director of Growing Still

Chunjing Zhang, director of 立秋 (Untitled) (China)

Raymond Edwards, director of Ace

Sun 12 Oct, 12:00-1:30 pm

Academy Cinemas, 44 Lorne Street, Auckland

Rating: M - Nudity

Tickets to this session are included for Industry Day passholders, but can also be purchased separately.

Learn more about making short films in this moderated discussion with three top short filmmakers. Hear candid stories from their experiences. Watch their short films as part of the event. Have the opportunity to ask questions and meet others interested in filmmaking.

Speakers & films screenings:

• Stefen Harris, writer/director of Sister Josephine

• John Ross, director of Valle - Hold Me

• Samuel Galloway, writer/director of Oasis

Mon 13 Oct, 6:00–7:30 pm

Alice Cinemas

$20/$18

Rating: M - Offensive language & content that may disturb.

Proudly supported by: Christchurch City Council

Learn more about making short films in this moderated discussion with three top short filmmakers. Hear candid stories from their experiences. Watch their short films as part of the event. Have the opportunity to ask questions and meet others interested in filmmaking.

Speakers & films screenings:

• Mīria George, writer/director of Open Looks

• Tom Field, writer/director of monster & me

• Haojun Huang, writer/director of End of Summer

Tues 14 Oct, 6:00–7:30 pm

Light House Cuba

$21 / $15

Rating: PG

Proudly supported by: Wellington City Council

Who are my people? Where do I fit in? The short films in this collection explore pressing questions of selfhood and belonging. If who we think we are is taken away, what are we left with? We can choose to let that change destroy us or embrace the transformation and use it to build something new. Community and connection are the antidote.

Run time: 97 min

Rating: M - Violence, offensive language, drug use & sexual references.

Celebrate twenty years of Show Me Shorts by looking back at some of our most successful and best loved short films. The acclaimed Kiwi filmmakers behind these movies have built enviable careers, garnering awards and screening their work internationally. Take a nostalgic trip down memory lane with us as we revisit classic Aotearoa New Zealand shorts.

Run time: 96 min

Rating: M - Sex scenes, sexual references & offensive language.

The excitement of new love; The vulnerability in exposing your true feelings; The anxiety of being judged or misunderstood. It’s all here in this collection of short films exploring matters of the heart. What are we truly looking for, and what price are we prepared to pay to get it? Having the courage to embrace our desire is the right place to start.

Run time: 84 min

Rating: M - Sex scenes, sexual references, offensive language & drug use.

That feeling of imminent excitement when you are on the verge of something big, infiltrates the films in this collection. The characters are stepping forward to embrace a major life change, sell their art, embody their power, escape a haunting and claim their rightful five-star review. The characters are lively and hopeful, and the stories are full of momentum and the gritty underside of life after dark.

Run time: 102 min

Rating: M - Horror, violence, offensive language & drug use.

Filmmakers are the ultimate dreamweavers. In this collection of shorts we step through the looking glass to explore their bold visions and ideas. Help us find a mystical bear, meet misanthropic mermaids, and a boy who used to be a dog. Commune with nature, befriend a gravitational phenomenon, and find yourself playing a game in the underworld. It’s a colourful reverie you won’t want to wake from.

Run time: 99 min

Rating: M - Offensive language, nudity & content that may disturb

Remind yourself that we live in a magical land, full of creatures and people worth fighting for, with this collection of short films. Our connection to the natural world around us and the spirits of our ancestors is part of what makes us human. Watch with delight as the characters in these stories go to extreme lengths for their family, their world and their dreams. 

Run time: 99 min

Rating: M - Violence & offensive language.

Travel to China with this richly creative collection of short films. Meet deities, spirits and animatronic insects; Dream a little, and then wake from cryogenic stasis. Modern ideas are presented alongside those steeped in deep tradition as we showcase the work of some of the most talented Chinese filmmakers working today.

Run time: 83 min

Rating: PG - Offensive language.

Proudly supported by: Ministry of Ethnic Communities

Show Me Shorts Film Festival is partnering with Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading filmmaker development organisation Day One Hāpai te Haeata to host the world premiere of eight short films.

Run time: 95 min

Rating: M - Violence, offensive language & content that may disturb