Discover short films with a link to the Waikato and Central region of Aotearoa, New Zealand, followed by The Award Ceremony and a 15-minute Q&A moderated by Script-to-Screen's Jaime Irvin & Misty Flicks Talent Development Prashanth Guna.

As a tradition synonymous with Misty Flicks and the cherished 91-year-old cinema hosting us, this showcase will feature an intermission.

This event will be held from 18:30 PM - 20:30 PM

Misty Flicks Short Film Showcase has a long-standing reputation for presenting a distinctive mix of short films, celebrated for their diverse narratives and voices. This year is no different, as we proudly present a remarkable lineup:

Small Waves

Young adult, Indigenous, 19 minutes

When you’re 12 years old and growing up in Huntly, no-one is more awesome than an All Black, especially the coolest All Black of them all, Damian McKenzie. Oh hang on... one fella might be just slightly cooler, the main man himself, the meanest, most powerful, most totally awesome Tangaroa God of the Ocean.

When Pete’s most prized possession (a signed poster of Damian McKenzie) is stolen, he must team up with his best friend John and annoying Pakeha girl Wendy to achieve the seemingly impossible - he must score a try at Rugby trials against school bully Wiremu.
Wiremu is the strongest (and nastiest) player in the province, while Pete barely makes the under 14s because of his small size.
Meanwhile, within the workings of the school Whaea Becky, a kind and dedicated teacher, is at odds with new Principle Brennan about the school curriculum. The Dept of Education has sent Brennan to lift grades in the school and he can’t see how Te Reo Maori classes fit with his goal.
Pete, John and Wendy draw inspiration from their heroes to make a game plan, and in the end, John’s beloved Tangaroa inspires their victory.

Director: Matthew Walker
Writer(s): Fallstaff Dowling-Mitchell
Producer(s): Maxime Lahaye

Proud Hooligan

Comedy, 11 minutes

In this AI generated story, James and his unlikely companion, Helen, must stand up to the proud hooligan, Roy Randall. I mean, who else is going to defend those elderly ladies? Along the way, James learns about love, true friendship, and the need to get better at hiding his deadly knives.

Director: Guillaume Arnoulet
Writer(s): Artificial Intelligence
Producer(s): Bianca Delialic, Pamela Kaval
DOP: Jared Jones

The Watch

Drama, Fantasy, 11 minutes

The film tells the story of our protagonist, who once had a fallout with his father and tries to mend his relationship with him. The watch is a symbolic gift the protagonist received from his father in the past, but a sudden wind mysteriously forces the watch to stop working. As he tries to fix the watch, inevitably, he relives his past and slowly collects his courage to face his father once again. The Watch is a story of family and lost emotions we can all relate to.

Director: Hiroki Kamada
Writer(s): Hiroki Kamada
Producer(s): Mark Westerby, Celia Jaspers

Minimally Invasive

Horror, Comedy, 10 minutess

An anxious patient fears his concerns are being ignored when his routine operation yields unexpected findings.

Director: Adam Harvey
Writer(s): Adam Harvey
Producer(s): Marly Rinaldi

Te Huia Daydream

Experimental, 10 minutes

When leukaemia and Lockdowns separate the families of two brothers, taking a train trip into the city to reunite is a dream come true.

Director: Nathan Dean Cunliffe
Writer(s): Nathan Dean Cunliffe
Producer(s): Nathan Dean Cunliffe

Embrace

Student, 10 minutes

A young MMA fighter, Anahera, prepares for an upcoming match while caring for her terminally ill mother.

Director: Thomas Webster
Writer(s): Thomas Webster
Producer(s): Nova Hey & Thomas Webster

The Calf

Drama, 13 minutes

Unable to control the tragic events of his life, 12-year-old Kyle has decided to run away. He and two friends set off on a bike ride into the unknown, where faced with the brutality of nature, their camaraderie crumbles. Out in the breathing, pulsing world Kyle must find the courage to turn and face his reality.

Director: Simon London and Matthew Sunderland
Writer(s): Simon London and Matthew Sunderland
Producer(s): Emma Mortimer