Tag Archive for: international premiere

‘The Convert’ to Premiere at TIFF

The Convert, edited by DEGANZ member Luke Haigh, is premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.

The New Zealand-Australia production stars Guy Pearce as Thomas Munro, a lay preacher ministering to a British settlement in 1830s Aotearoa. His violent past as a soldier is questioned, and his faith is put to the test as he finds himself caught in a long-standing battle between two Māori iwi.

The action-filled historical epic will screen as a special presentation at TIFF alongside some of this year’s biggest films, including the Cannes Palme d’Or winner and NZIFF opener Anatomy of a Fall. TIFF describes these special presentations as high-profile premieres from the world’s leading filmmakers.

TIFF is a not-for-profit cultural organisation dedicated to creating transformational experiences for film lovers and creators of all ages and backgrounds. Since its founding in 1976, the festival has become one of the world’s largest and most prestigious international film festivals.

Congratulations to Luke and the team for the international premiere!

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NZ Films Selected for Edinburgh, 4 out of 5 Involving DEGANZ Members

The 75th Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) is featuring multiple members’ mahi this year! The festival runs from 12-20 August and will screen five NZ projects across various programmes.

Member Michelle Savill’s Millie Lies Low and Matthew Saville’s Juniper, edited by member Peter Roberts, are making their UK premiere in the festival’s Heartbreakers programme. They will appear alongside other films exploring the fraught relationships of friends, family, lovers, and cheaters.

Meanwhile, Nude Tuesday, directed by DEGANZ member Armagan Ballantyne, and feature film Whina will celebrate their European debuts. Nude Tuesday, a literally gibberish film devised by Armagan and fellow DEGANZ member Jackie van Beek, is set to screen as the Central Gala film.

Additionally, the festival’s New Shorts: On Leaving programme will feature member Mīria George’s short film fire in the water, fire in the sky. This strand features stories about migration, from the anticipation of leaving and journeying to the physical and psychological consequences after the move.

Both Armagan and Michelle will attend the festival with the support of NZFC and the EIFF, respectively.

We are excited to see these Kiwi films achieving international recognition in their festival rounds. Congratulations to Michelle, Peter, Armagan, Jackie and Mīria!

Read more

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Members’ Films to Have International Premieres at Berlinale

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We are excited for member Michelle Savill (DEGANZ Incubator 2018) whose debut feature film, Millie Lies Low, will have its international premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival (February 10-20), as part of the Generation programme.

So far, Berlinale has announced ten features and seven shorts invited to play in Generation. According to the festival, the films selected in this programme stand out for the unconventionality and willpower of their protagonists.

Directed and co-written by Michelle, this comedy drama film finds protagonist Millie using fantasy, charm and typical NZ humour to fake a life in New York, one that she would have been living if she hadn’t missed her flight. As a secret shadow to her own life, she learns a lot that she would rather not have known. Listen to Michelle talk to RNZ about how her own experience influenced the story.

In other good news, Datsun is set to have its international premiere at Berlinale as well. The short film follows 14-year-old Matt as he takes his late father’s car on one last tour before its sold. It was edited by DEGANZ member Luke Haigh.

Congratulations again to our members!

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