Family Tribute Films Win Someday Challenge

FAMILY TRIBUTE FILMS WIN SOMEDAY CHALLENGE

Two strongly personal family tribute films have scooped 2016’s top honours in The Outlook for Someday film challenge.

The Body Shop Standout Winner is a film by 15 year old Sarah Ridsdale celebrating her uncle’s role in creating a haven for New Zealand’s native flora and fauna that is also an eco-tourism destination.

In ‘Dog Island Motu Piu’ two young tuatara hear from their grandfather about how Peter Ridsdale, who died in June this year, founded the Dog Island Motu Piu Charitable Trust to preserve and promote the sustainability of the island.

“I made the film for him and he got to see it 3 weeks before he died,” wrote Sarah when she entered her claymation docudrama into the film challenge. “It was played at his funeral which was special.”

Sarah has been building up to this year’s success. She made winning films for the Someday Challenge in 2013 and 2015.

“‘Dog Island Motu Piu’ appealed to me as soon as I saw it,” said Barrie Thomas, Managing Director of The Body Shop. “Not only is it extremely well made but it also tells an important conservation story in an amusing and original way.”

The 5 minute film has also won the Department of Conservation Big Picture Award.

“Sarah’s film exemplifies the importance of community groups working throughout the country to restore and protect our natural environments and historic places,” said
Adrienne de Melo, Outreach and Education Coordinator at DOC.

“It encapsulates DOC’s Big Picture values of Manaaki (to look after and to care for) and Aroha (compassion for the environment and understanding that we are all connected to the natural world).”

The winner of the online vote for the New Zealand On Air Audience Favourite is another heartfelt tribute to the memory of a beloved family member.

In ‘Our Superheroes’ 12 year old Luka Wolfgram shares his family’s journey alongside his younger brother Kosta who endured cancer leading to his death in March this year.

The 5 minute documentary, which also features other child cancer heroes, has attracted international media attention and thousands of online views, prompting donations to child cancer charities.

“Luka has captured with such honesty and love an experience that no child, parent or sibling should have to go through,” said Robyn Kiddle, Chief Executive of the Child Cancer Foundation.

“I know ‘Our Superheroes’ hit home for many of our families and the Child Cancer Foundation team. We are so proud of him for having the bravery to share this tribute to his little brother Kosta.”
Luka’s film has also won the Stephens Lawyers Media Empowerment Award.

“Luka has done an amazing job of bravely sharing a very poignant story,” said Michael Stephens, Managing Director of Stephens Lawyers. “For a 12 year-old film-maker he is to be congratulated. We are proud to be part of supporting him and all the film-makers involved in The Outlook for Someday.”

The 20 winning films in the Someday Challenge were made by individuals and teams aged from 7 to 21 from all over Aotearoa New Zealand.

They can be watched at The Outlook for Someday website.
www.theoutlookforsomeday.net

The films have been honoured tonight in The Someday Awards ceremony at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.

Each of the winning film-makers received a special award (listed below) and prizes presented by film-maker Katie Wolfe and actor Frankie Adams.

Watch The Someday Awards ceremony here: http://www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/about/watch-the-someday-awards-2016

The Someday Challenge asks young people aged up to 24 to make short sustainability-related films of any genre, filmed with any camera and any length up to 5 minutes.

Judges from the film industry, education, government and business selected this year’s 20 winning films out of 115 entries involving 395 young people.

THE 20 SPECIAL AWARDS WINNERS

Rockstock Sustainable Lifestyle Award
For a film focusing on lifestyle change for sustainability
Avarice by Sarah Kolver (17) from Rotorua
Genre: Video Essay
Synopsis: A poetic take on the industrialisation of nature.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/038

Ministry of Youth Development Community Participation Award
For a film focusing on active citizenship
Behind the Eyes by a team aged 13-14 from Roxburgh Area School in Otago
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: A conversation starter on teenage mental health.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/104

The Adam & Eve Show Secondary School Film-makers Award
For a film made by young people of secondary school age
Do You Ever Wish by a team from Christchurch (aged 12-14)
Genre: Video Essay
Synopsis: A video essay that uses the power of community to address identity and acceptance.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/071

Department of Conservation Big Picture Award
For a film that relates to the Big Picture focus of DOC’s National Education Strategy
Dog Island Motu Piu by Sarah Ridsdale (15) from Palmerston North
Genre: Animated Docudrama
Synopsis: A claymation docudrama about conserving New Zealand’s native flora and fauna told through the eyes of Tua and Tara.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/078

O’Halloran North Shore Young Voices For Change Award
For a film motivating young people and/or decision-makers to be change-makers
Elusion by Darwin Velasco (20) and Bo Treat (18) from Auckland
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: A drama tackling issues of poverty and identity in the modern world through an international student’s eyes.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/085

The Coconet.tv Pasifika Award
For a film by a Pasifika film-maker or team and/or featuring Pasifika language and culture
Encore by Faga Tuigamala (16) from Auckland
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: A documentary exploring how young people connect with music in schools.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/010

Weta Digital Media Award
For a film with outstanding editing or animation
Glad To Sea You’re On Board by Alice Guerin (20) from Wellington
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: An informative call to action on over-fishing.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/073

Enviroschools Sustainable Future Award
For a film which promotes dialogue on sustainability through a new perspective and/or critical thinking
Harikoa by Philadelphia Mete Kingi Kingsford-Brown (15) from Otaki
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: An uplifting portrait of happiness sustaining people and their community.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/051

Māori Television Whakatipuranga Award
For a film with a Māori indigenous perspective on sustainability
He Kākano by a team from Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Wairarapa in Masterton(aged 10-11)
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: A story about the importance of keeping te reo Māori alive and thriving in New Zealand.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/090

Photogear Cinematography Award
For a film with outstanding cinematography
It Can Be Different by Isla Christensen (18) from Hastings
Genre: Video Essay
Synopsis: A young woman advocates for the future of our environment.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/102

What Now Primary/Intermediate School Film-makers Award
For a film made by young people of primary or intermediate school age
Just Another Word by Mercedes Van Royen (12) from Timaru
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: A personal perspective on depression and suicide.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/016

Stephens Lawyers Media Empowerment Award
For a film which empowers its viewers and/or its makers
Our Superheroes by Luka Wolfgram (12) from Auckland
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: A documentary that raises awareness about the personal and community impact of childhood cancer.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/010

Tearaway Secondary School Performance Award
For a film made by young people of secondary school age with strong on-screen performance
Tama Iti by a team from Kaitaia College (aged 12-16)
Genre: Video Essay
Synopsis: A story connecting with tikanga Māori and passing on guardianship through generations.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/074

Upstart Magazine Primary/Intermediate School Performance Award
For a film made by young people of primary or intermediate school age with strong on-screen performance
The Demise of the Bees by a team from Pongakawa School in Te Puke (aged 7-9)
Genre: Animated Docudrama
Synopsis: An animated insight into how our survival depends on plants, pollen, nectar and our buzzy friends.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/074

Auckland Council Film-maker Award
For a film by a film-maker or team from the Auckland region
The Juice Box Bandit by Samarah Basir (9) and Kristy Goundar (9) from Halsey Drive School in Auckland
Genre: Silent Movie
Synopsis: A poetic take on the industrialisation of nature.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/032

The Lowdown Award
For a film that focuses on social inclusion and wellbeing as a sustainability issue for young people
The New Kid by a team from Alfriston College in Auckland (aged 15-16)
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: A confronting depiction of high school bullying.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/058

Karma Cola People and Planet Award
For a film which addresses social justice as a sustainability issue
The Pink Triangle by Maizy Grace Kingsford-Brown Mete Kingi (13) from Otaki
Genre: Animated Drama
Synopsis: A symbolic film about social diversity and inclusion.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/053

New Zealand Film Commission Film-making Achievement Award
For a film with outstanding creative / technical quality
The Ultimate Sacrifice by Hunter Williams (17) and Calum Davies (17) from Auckland
Genre: Documentary
Synopsis: A documentary about a man who is headed to Mars, and what that means for his family and humanity.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/105

The Wireless Storytelling Award
For a film with powerful storytelling
WARNING by Neihana Lowe (17) and Callum Robinson (17) from Auckland
Genre: Drama
Synopsis: A quirky satire about unsustainable packaging.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/097

New Zealand Film Commission Young Women Film-makers Award
For a film made by a young woman film-maker or team
Wired by a team from Christchurch Girls High School (aged 15-16)
Genre: Docudrama
Synopsis: A cautionary tale about technology and the need to look up from our devices.
Watch the film here: www.theoutlookforsomeday.net/films/2016/042

THE OUTLOOK FOR SOMEDAY PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

The Outlook for Someday in 2016 is based on partnerships between Connected Media Charitable Trust and The Body Shop New Zealand, NZ On Air, New Zealand Film Commission, Ministry of Youth Development, Department of Conservation (through the DOC Community Fund), Health Promotion Agency, Auckland Council, Toimata Foundation and Weta Digital.

Media Partners are Māori Television, The Wireless, The Coconet, The Adam & Eve Show, What Now, Tearaway, Upstart and Screenz.

Funding Partners are Te Māngai Pāho, Creative New Zealand’s Creative Communities Scheme, The Trusts Community Foundation, Four Winds Foundation, Clyde Graham Charitable Trust, Dragon Community Trust and BlueSky Community Trust.

Regional Partners are Foundation North, Trust Waikato, Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, Eastern and Central Community Trust, Wellington Community Trust, Rātā Foundation, West Coast Community Trust, Otago Community Trust and Community Trust of Southland.

Auckland Live, Karma Cola and Austin’s are Event Partners.

Rockstock and Soar Printing are Paper and Print Partners.

Industry Partners are SPADA and the Directors and Editors Guild of New Zealand.

Photogear is Technology Partner, O’Halloran North Shore is Accountancy Partner, Stephens Lawyers is Honorary Legal Advisor and Hello Monday is HR Partner.

Project Supporters are Arovideo, AS Colour, Auckland Transport, Community Comms Collective, DefenderBags, ecostore, El Framo, Kahra Scott-James, Levi’s® Stores, Lotech Media, Lothlorien Organic Fruit Juices, MediaPasifika, Middle-earth Honey, New Zealand Post, Pastel City, Random Graphix, Votre Arme and WWF New Zealand.

© Scoop Media