By Tagata Pasifika, tpplus.co.nz/
Award winning Tongan film director Vea Mafileo is one of five finalists selected for this year’s New Zealand’s Best short film competition.
Guest selector Gerard Johnstone made the selection after 95 films were submitted for consideration. The shortlist was cut down to 12 and then to five.
Vea who directed her 2019 award winning documentary My Father’s Kingdom is nominated for her short film Lea Tupu’anga/Mother Tongue. The story is about a young speech therapist who lied about her language skills and her ability to speak Tongan. She must find ways to communicate when she is assigned to an elderly Tongan patient who can no longer speak English.
A jury of three will select the winner of the $7500 NZIFF Patrons Best Short Film Award, the $4000 Creative New Zealand Emerging Talent Award, and the $4000 Auckland Live Spirit of The Civic Award.
The winner of the audience vote takes away the Panavision Audience Award, consisting of a $5000 credit for Panavision equipment hire and 25 percent of the box office from NZIFF screenings in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The jury awards will be presented following the Auckland screening. The Panavision Audience Award will be announced at the NZIFF 2024 Auckland Closing Night on Sunday 18 August.
