A heart-warming short film portraying the journey of an untitled book that finally finds a loving home clinched top honours in this year’s International Youth Silent Film Festival (IYSFF) New Zealand National competition.

The film Shelf Life, by Amelia Walshe, Sophie Hampson, Esther Schubert, and Max Norwood, was crowned overall winner of this year’s competition at the NZ National Awards Final held at Tauranga’s Baycourt Community & Arts Centre, on November 2.

The film garnered praise from all seven industry professionals serving on this year’s judging panel for its outstanding cinematography, subtle yet engaging story line, and exceptional use of the Reflections soundtrack which perfectly complimented the film.

“Shelf Life is an amazingly adorable film with a ‘Toy Story’ tone that holds your emotional attention for this book, which pays off in a wholesome way,” remarked IYSFF NZ 2016 competition winner and this year’s head judge Micah Winiata (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Porou).

In recognition of winning first-place, the three Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington students received a cash prize of $1500, sponsored by Priority One, and secured automatic entry into the IYSFF Global Awards Final in Portland, Oregon, US, in June 2024.

Second-place, and a $1000 cash prize, was won by the film HER by Tauranga Girls’ College students Tearani Wikohika, Yasmin Austwick, and Sienna Burns. HER also secured automatic entry into the Global Awards, while Tearani received the Best Wahine filmmaker award for the second consecutive year.

Completing the podium was Tauranga Girls’ College student Leah Swindells, who clinched the third-place accolade along with a $500 cash prize for her film Lover’s Waltz.

Also representing Aotearoa at next year’s Global Awards is Whakatāne filmmaker and inaugural Kōhungahunga – Fledging Filmmaker Award winner Malachi Steel for his film Mum’s Star. This new award, open to filmmakers aged 12 years and under, comes with a cash prize of $500.

For the first time ever, the competition organisers offered free entry to the IYSFF NZ National Awards Final ceremony, and more than 200 people were in attendance on the night to celebrate the finalists. The event was hosted by Jolene & Max from The Breeze alongside the 2022 IYSFF NZ first and second place winners, Ben Young and Sveta Thompson respectively.

In a night filled with astonishing tales of love, loss and regret, an artist’s unwavering sacrifice for their magnum opus, and a mysterious, red-eyed creature lurking in the shadows of a darkened bedroom, the Top 16 Finalists was a showcase of talent to remember.

Baycourt manager Reena Snook acknowledged all the filmmakers who submitted entries into the competition, and especially wanted to thank everyone who attended this year’s awards ceremony and helped make it a glitzy, red-carpet affair.

“To every filmmaker who entered the IYSFF NZ this year – your talent, imagination and ambition is inspiring. Your commitment and dedication to this unique festival is incredible and we’re truly honoured to provide a platform to showcase your creativity to the world.”

Founded in 2009 by American philanthropist Jon ‘JP’ Palanuk, the IYSFF competition challenges filmmakers aged 22 years and under, from the United States, Europe, Australia, The United Arab Emirates and Aotearoa to create a three-minute silent film set to one of 10 musical scores created for the festival by award-winning composer Nathan Avakian. Traditionally, the soundtracks of the finalist films are performed live on Baycourt’s Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre organ during the final’s ceremony.

The IYSFF NZ Nationals 2023 is delivered with support from major sponsors Priority One, Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty Actors Studio, major media partner Mediaworks, and supporters Film Bay of Plenty, and Ngā Aho Whakaari – Māori in Screen.

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IYSFF NZ NATIONALS 2023 AWARD WINNERS

FIRST PLACE – $1500
SHELF LIFE
Amelia Walshe, Sophie Hampson, Esther Schubert, Max Norwood Te Herenga Waka
Victoria University of Wellington
Sponsored by Priority One

SECOND PLACE – $1000
HER
Tearani Wikohika, Yasmin Austwick, Sienna Burns
Tauranga Girls’ College
Sponsored by Tauranga City Council

THIRD PLACE – $500
LOVER’S WALTZ
Leah Swindells
Tauranga Girls’ College
Sponsored by Bay of Plenty Actors Studio

KŌHUNGAHUNGA AWARD – $500
MUM’S STAR
Malachi Steel
Home School, Whakatāne
Sponsored by Film Bay of Plenty

BEST DIRECTOR
SHAKEEL ROA – RED EYES
Independent, Tauranga

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEDE MILLER – THE SWAP
St Andrews’ College Christchurch

BEST ACTOR
HARRY TURNER & ZOE THE DOG – MOTHER’S DAY SURPRISE
Home School, Te Puke

BEST WAHINE FILMMAKER
TEARANI WIKOHIKA – HER
Tauranga Girls’ College
Sponsored by Ngā Aho Whakaari – Māori in Screen

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
MAEA WIKOHIKA – GIRL IN CANVAS
Tauranga Girls’ College

BEST EDITING
ZOE SAMSON – ATELOPHOBIA
Tauranga Girls’ College

BEST SHOT
KATY MCLEOD – ELF ON THE SHELF
Ōtūmoetai College

BEST POSTER
SHAKEEL ROA – RED EYES
Independent, Tauranga