The Bay of Plenty film community is humming with anticipation leading up to the national grand finals of the Vista Foundation 48Hours film competition, coming up on Saturday July 27 in Wellington.

Not only is a Taupō team amongst the 18 finalists, but three other Tauranga teams, and another Taupō team are award nominees for various categories of the competition.

At the BOP 48Hours’ finals on Friday, June 14, ‘City Winner’ Taupō’s Great Lake Film Society scooped up a stunning collection of regional awards with their film ‘Loose End’, including Best Film, Best Cinematography, Best Script, Best Director, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, Best Use of Genre, and Best Performer. They also won three of the four Best Use of Elements – a warning, a traveller or neighbour, and a match cut.

Taupō-Nui-a-Tia teacher Cameron Walton, who won BOP region's Best Performer for his role in ‘Loose End’, enjoyed the creative experience. Photo: Supplied.

Despite this impressive regional win, their place in the grand finals wasn’t certain until July 8 when Sir Peter Jackson selected their film as one of his three ‘Wildcards’ along with 15 other grand finalists.

On hearing of the selection, Great Lake Film Society director Joel Corbie was ecstatic.

“Peter Jackson has seen our film?” he asked the 48 Hours staff who were live streaming the announcement.

“Not only did he see it, he likes it,” says the 48Hours team.

Their film ‘Loose End’ tells the story of a world in which each person’s life is bound to their own single red string. One unfortunate office worker finds himself untethered from his lifeline, hopping between multiple diverging and crisscrossing strings.

A team of 16 Taupō locals contributed to the script design, acting and production of ‘Loose End’ to create a touching and hilarious film with just two lines of spoken dialogue and plenty of visual humour.

Cameron Walton in ‘Loose End’, by Greak Lake Film Society. Photo: Supplied.

Taupō-Nui-a-Tia teacher Cameron Walton, who won BOP 48Hours Best Performer for his role in ‘Loose End’, enjoyed the creative experience.

“The best parts of this competition are you start with nothing and end up making something amazing. This competition is a celebration of all those who have passion and love for film but are often unseen,’ says Cameron.

2024 Letterboxd Post Shoot Poster Competition

Great Lake Film Society are also one of the 10 national winners of the 2024 Letterboxd Post Shoot Poster Competition, where teams were invited to submit their film poster following the weekend of filming. Each winner received a one-year Patron Letterboxd subscription along with $150 worth of cinema vouchers.

Poster for 'Loose End' film by Great Lake Film Society. Image: Supplied.

Vista Foundation 48Hours competition.

The competition had over 500 teams from around NZ taking part this year, with regional heats and finals taking place in June, and the grand final to select a national winner from 18 films coming up on Saturday.

Teams were given a genre as well as various elements to incorporate into their five-minute movies which must be filmed, edited and submitted within two days.

The ten genres were Musical or Possession Movie, The Odd Couple Movie, The Real Time Movie, The Fantasy Movie, The Monster Movie, The Animal Adventure Movie, The Splatter Movie, The Fish out of Water Movie, The Crime Movie, and The Lovers on the Run Movie.

The four required elements were a warning, a Traveller or a neighbour, a match cut, and an exit.

Team ‘Eddie Page Productions’

Runner Up for the Bay of Plenty finals is Tauranga-based team Eddie Page Productions with their film ‘Petrified’ which featured living statues and won the BOP’s Best Production Design and Best Original Score/Song awards.  They have also been nominated in the grand finals for these same two categories.

Bridget McKinley as one of the living statues in Eddie Page Productions' film 'Petrified'. Photo: Supplied.

It’s the second year in a row that Eddie Page has come second to Great Lake Film Society in the regionals, with their zombie film ‘Yeaagghewahh (Love Ya Face)’ being beaten by Great Lake’s ‘Sacrifarce’ in 2022. The competition wasn’t held in 2023.

This year Eddie Page Productions filmed in downtown Tauranga, with their genre being ‘The Monster Movie’.

“We always love pulling together a great team of talented filmmakers to have fun during the 48Hour film competition,” says Eddie Page Productions director Larissa Downey.

“Filming in the Tauranga CBD this year was a fab experience. It was incredible to have so many locals wanting to get involved in the film.”

Mika Anderson, singer and cast member in Eddie Page Productions' 48Hours film 'Petrified'. Photo: Supplied.

She says while the director of photography, director and actors were setting up the next shot, the rest of the crew were coaxing in more cast to be involved.

“Unsuspecting strangers out and about for their morning coffee to be background talent. The awesome thing was, that everyone was more than willing to get involved.

“And that's what it’s about, collaboration and sharing the experience with our community. Lots of children were excited to have a go, and it was a joy seeing them doing it alongside their parents and family.”

She says they ran into a few obstacles.

“A crowd of hundreds were marching through the CBD with a bagpipe band for what appeared to be a university graduation,” says Larissa.

“Our lead cast were dressed as living statues, which made for great graduation pictures for the students.”

Cast members of Eddie Page Productions' film 'Petrified' on Tauranga's waterfront. Photo: Supplied.

Eddie Page Productions has an immense number of talented filmmakers to draw from, including Jannine Spiers who worked in the art department for the Xena: Warrior Princess TV series, and was set designer working in the art department for Koro (2019).  Mana Hira Davis, who is known for his work on Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) and The Meg (2018), also joined the crew for the weekend’s competition.

“The incredible costumes were lovingly made by our cast and crew, supervised by the very talented Kerry Funnell and Jannine Spiers,” says Larissa.

“I couldn't possibly single any one person out, but as a first-time director for film, I couldn't have pulled the film together without the support of the crew.

“Michael Lefebvre and Theresa Barnes on camera; Melissa Mae, Sarah Oemcke, Bridget McKinley, Mika Anderson and Mary Oemcke as lead cast; Chris Murgatroyd, Vanessa Mchardy and Mana Davis our go-to crew; Kerry Funnell costumes; Jannine Spiers art director; Sandy Cutts makeup; and Karl Oemcke on music.

“Our whole team are stoked to have taken out runner up in the BOP Final and to be nominated in Best Production Design and Best Original Score in the National Grand Final.”

Kerry Funnell and Jannine Spiers leading teams working on costumes and art design in the film's art department. Photo: Supplied.

As to their future, Eddie Page Productions which consists of producers Larissa Allen, Sarah Oemcke and Melissa Mae, are currently working on two short films, three documentaries and three TV series, all in various stages of development.

“We hope to bring more film work to the regions, so we showcase all the talented crew, cast and locations we have.”

She says a director’s cut of their 48Hours film ‘Petrified’ is currently in edit and will be heading to the festival circuit.

“We are proud of the film we made and want the world to get to see it too,” says Larrisa.

Cast members and 'living statues' Melissa Mae and Sarah Oemcke with makeup artist Sandi Cutts for the film 'Petrified'. Photo: Supplied.

Team ‘TheUltimateSuspendedFlat9Chord’

Previs artist Kyle Ashley joined forces with Dirk van Hek to create a crime movie ‘Retrovertigo’ as team ‘TheUltimateSuspendedFlat9Chord’. Kyle says he enjoyed the weekend’s departure from his normal film work.

“Collaborating in the creation of an animated story based on a child’s obsession with a pineapple with eyebrows is a welcome break from big screen VFX,” says Kyle. “As a return to the magic and innocence of the medium reminds us why we bothered learning these techniques in the first place.

“VFX, often used in TV and film these days as a visual battering ram in place of good writing, it has at its core and foundation the ability to produce whatever you can image. Most adults can’t, so we will steal from the kids!"

TheUltimateSuspendedFlat9Chord won the BOP Incredibly Strange award for their film ‘Retrovertigo’ and are a national nominee for the same category. Photo: Rosalie Liddle Crawford.

Dirk’s daughter’s three-year obsession with a pineapple with eyebrows, not necessarily eyes, became the basis for which her father wrote a “semi-logical” story around it, says Kyle.

“3-D scanning a sculpture of Sauron from the LOTR trilogy that was gathering nostalgic evil dust on the shelf, Dirk forged a simple yet primal story of a childhood friendship and a terrible dilemma.

“Would you eat your best friend if your father was up for a pineapple-topped pizza for dinner? And no one in catering can ever say NO to your dad.”

The whimsical collaboration of a father, his three daughter and a previs artist resulted in their team ‘TheUltimateSuspendedFlat9Chord’ making the film ‘Retrovertigo’ which has been nominated in the ‘Incredibly Strange’ category, supported by L’affare.

“Being in the finals feels like that time I went to a theme park with my bandmates,” says Dirk.

“We ended up on a ride that spun in circles and flipped us upside-down. My friends paid the ride operator 20 Euros to keep restarting it, and he did - ten consecutive times. By the end, my breakfast was all over my face.

“But that’s how it feels. Exhilarating, intense, and a little bit overwhelming.”

He says he enjoyed making the film with his three daughters and Kyle.

“It was amazing to immerse myself in a completely virtual production and experiment with new techniques,” says Dirk.

Stevie van Hek, age 9, talking to her pineapple friend in the film ‘Retrovertigo’ by Team ‘TheUltimateSuspendedFlat9Chord’. Photo: Supplied.

As a 3D previsualisation and visual effects artist, Kyle’s work can be seen in Ghost in the Shell (2017), The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), Superman Returns (2006), three Hobbit films (2012-2014), Mulan (2020), The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017), The LEGO Movie 2 (2019), Happy Feet (2006), and the Sherwood TV series, to name a few.

“As work for aging VFX Kiwis dries up in the current climate change, one has to keep a foot in the door by participating in such neat Kiwi ventures as the 48HOURS film festival,” says Kyle.

He says having recently worked on a violent shark attack film for the Die Hard 2 director, his need to “come to the surface and decompress” was great.

“The sharks a-circling, we need the power of a child’s imagination to save us,” says Kyle.

Team ‘TSО̄’ from Ōtūmoetai College

Ōtūmoetai College student Sequoia Trass, age 16, directed their team TSО̄ to make their film ‘Run With Me’. She says their team of 11 were given the genre was ‘Lovers on the Run’.

Ōtūmoetai College student Liliana Smith in the 48Hours film 'Run With Me' by TSО̄. Photo: Supplied.

“Our film is about a teenage boy who runs away from his dysfunctional family with a mysterious lover,” says Sequoia.

She says it’s the first time they’ve been nominated for the national award.

“In the past two years since we’ve entered the competition, we didn’t even get to regionals.

“During our first year of college, a teacher Joshua Buxton brought the idea to us, and we decided to do it. This year he encouraged us and another group to participate.

“This year it was the first 48hours most of us had done, although three of us had done it previously.”

Ōtūmoetai College student Connor Rowan in the 48Hours film 'Run With Me' by TSО̄. Photo: Supplied.

Sequoia says the team stayed at her house for the whole weekend, with her mother being their main food supplier.

“We took shifts between the 11 of us for who was editing and who was writing. We’re a close group of friends. Most of us have never done anything with film or acting and it was a fun activity for us to get involved with.”

As well as being the director, Sequoia also helped write the film, and on leaving college, plans to eventually go study film at Victoria University in Wellington.

Ōtūmoetai College students Liliana Smith and Connor Rowan in the 48Hours film 'Run With Me' by TSО̄. Photo: Supplied.

“For ‘Lovers on the Run’, we filmed in mostly public parks and large open areas. I found it very enjoyable. We ended up working well together which is surprising for such a big group of 16-year-olds,” says Sequoia.

Their film is up against six other films from South Otago High School, Havelock North High School, New Plymouth Girls High, Onslow College, Nayland College and Western Springs College for the ‘Best School’ category.

Team ‘Whack Crizard’

Another Taupō team, first-timers Whack Crizard, won the best animation gong for their film 'The Cheesening’. Their film has also been nominated for the same category in the national finals on Saturday.

‘The Cheesening’ follows two friends as they seek the help of a wizard skilled in cheese magic to save their fromage-possessed mate. With a striking visual style and deadpan Kiwi humour, ‘The Cheesening’ provided an eye-catching and whimsical point of difference among the films submitted.

Team Whack Crizard's poster for their 48Hours film 'The Cheesening'. Image: Supplied.

Emiel Van Wilsem Vos from Whack Crizard was very proud of their team's six BOP nominations and Best Animation award win.

“We are looking forward to entering again next year and bringing more "A-Game",” says Emiel.

“Now that we know how the competition runs, we will get better every year.”

“It was the most stressful 48 hours yet, and somehow we are still all friends,” says teammate Haylee Van Wilsem Vos.

Film Bay of Plenty

“We are delighted to extend our congratulations to the following Bay of Plenty teams - Great Lake Film Society, Eddie Paige Productions, The Ultimate Suspended Flat 9 Chord, Whack Crizard, and TSО̄ from Otumoetai College for their selection in the Grand Finals of the 48Hours competition,” says Film Bay of Plenty executive Jade Kent.

“This year, 21 teams from the Bay of Plenty participated, showcasing the remarkable enthusiasm and talent within our local screen media community.

“Both the local community and Film Bay of Plenty are dedicated to fostering this passion, and together, we aim to grow and strengthen the industry in our region.”

Vista Foundation 48Hours OPPO48 challenge

Great Lake Film Society’s director Joel Corbett says winning is a nice-to-have but isn’t the aim.

“This year the calibre of films is almost beyond comprehension. We never, never make our films to win awards. We make them out of the love for creating and the incredible fun we have during the process,” says Joel.

As well as being a national 48Hours finalist and being one of the national poster winners, Great Lake Film Society also have another opportunity to take out a national title on Saturday night.

In April 2024 Vista Foundation 48Hours also ran the OPPO48 challenge where teams competed for $5000 by making a one-minute film in five hours.  Judged by comedian and short video content creator Tom Sainsbury, the winner of the eight OPPO48 finalists, which includes Great Lake Film Society’s ‘Dis’, will have their film screened at the Grand Final.   

Grand Finals

“We will be livestreaming the grand finals from 8pm on our 48Hours YouTube channel, so you can have a watch party together,” says 48Hours BOP City Manager Tom Paton.