NZ Film Wins at the Berlin International Film Festival

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Tuesday 21st February 2012

NZ Film Wins at the Berlin International Film Festival

The 62nd Berlin international Film Festival has awarded a Crystal Bear to New Zealand short film Meathead, for Best Short Film in the Youth Jury Generation 14plus section. Writer/director Sam Holst was in Berlin to receive the award.

Shot on location in active meat works in Waitoa and Thames belonging to Wallace Meats, the film is based on a true story by Holst’s friend Mike Robinson. It is a film about the first day of work for 17 years old Michael, at the local meat works. The environment is challenging and Michael’s fellow workers aren’t exactly welcoming of new blood and it very soon becomes clear that this day isn’t going to be about just trying to fit in - Michael’s biggest concern will be getting out alive. Meathead had its world premiere in Official Competition at last year’s Cannes Film Festival in May. The film has screened in New Zealand at the NZ International Film Festival and the Show Me Shorts Film Festival. It was awarded the Silver Plaque at the Chicago International Film Festival and screened at the Melbourne International Film Festival and the Montreal World Film Festival,

Announcing the awards, the Berlin Youth Jury for the Generation 14plus section said Meathead shows us, just in a few minutes, the radical path from childhood to adulthood. “Using authentic images the film portrays the rituals of closed communities which you cannot escape from. The film exemplifies peer pressure and social pressure which can be found in all societies. For us, it has all the qualities necessary for a great short film.”

Since 1978, the Berlinale has devoted a section to children and young people: Generation. In two competitions, Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus, discoveries from state of the art world-cinema and on a par with young people are presented and the most outstanding of these are awarded the Crystal Bears. Every year, about 60,000 visitors attend the screenings.

The Generation section jury members are no older than those of the audience. Eleven children and seven teens award the best films with Crystal Bears.

Produced by Desray Armstrong and Chelsea Winstanley, Meathead was funded through the NZFC Premiere Shorts scheme and Executive Produced by Robert Sarkies and Vicky Pope from Big Shorts, Supervising Producer was Robin Scholes from Eyeworks Touchdown Films and with additional investment from The Sweet Shop.

ENDS

EDITORS NOTES:
Film clip can be found HERE
Check out Meathead on Facebook and IMDB

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