New Zealand a nation of flip-floppers

October 21, 2008

New Zealand a nation of flip-floppers

As the general election looms and the phony rhetoric intensifies, New Zealanders from all walks of life have embraced the art of the flip flop.

A record-smashing number of entries have been received to vie for the Golden Flip Flops at Radio Active 89FM's Handle the Jandal 2009 music video awards. A grand total of 122 music videos made last week's deadline, far surpassing the previous record of 93 set in 2006.

Handle the Jandal is the annual competition for Do-It-Yourself New Zealand filmmakers to create music videos for local bands and artists. The Awards are about matching rising music stars with up’n’coming filmmakers. All videos must be completely self-funded and may only use New Zealand music.

Event director Hadden Morrison said today that the response from eager filmmakers and bands has been mindblowing, especially considering that Handle the Jandal is back after a one year hiatus.

"It is truly outstanding that so many entries flooded in to the radio station this year after we had to pass on the Awards in 2007," said Mr Morrison. "It goes to show what a huge depth of interest there is around New Zealand for Handle the Jandal and confirms its significance for creative folk and entertainers.

"The crew at Radio Active 89FM are humbled and we want to say thanks to the hundreds of people who got stuck in to submit entries for this year's awards," he said. "There are some massively talented musicians and filmmakers on board and its obvious that hours and hours of work have gone into the productions."

Entries were received from all over New Zealand, including Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Timaru, Invercargil, Huntly, Arrowtown, New Plymouth, Tolaga Bay, Pukekoe, Hamilton, Napier, Levin, Rotorua, Paihia and Tauranga. Bands featured in the entries include Tiki Taane, The Ruby Suns, The Mint Chicks, Lawrence Arabia, Flip Grater, Ragamuffin Children, White Swan Black Swan, Coco Solid, The Upbeats, Sheba and Olmecha Supreme – and heaps more, of course.

A panel of judges will decide Best Editing, Best use of Exploitative Tactics to Promote a Band, Best Cinematography, Best Concept, Best Animation and Rising Star. An audience vote at the awards will decide the seventh golden flip flop category: the Favourite Handle the Jandal Video award winner.

This will be the 10th Handle the Jandal competition. After a one-year hiatus, it has moved to a new venue, the spacious and regal St James Theatre, Courtenay Place on Thursday November 27, 2008.

Previous winners who have developed prominent careers in New Zealand and internationally include James Barr, Chris Graham, Aaron Beck and Rollo Wenlock, who has worked with The Prodigy and Franz Ferdinand.

Radio Active 89FM acknowledges NZ on Air, The New Zealand Film Archive, Ocean Design, Kraft:Haus, Fuji Film, Sticky Pictures and Portsmouth for their continuing support.

ENDS

© Scoop Media