NZ short film wins at Aspen Shortsfest
New Zealand short film Das Tub has won Best Short Short at the Aspen Shortsfest in Colorado – considered one of the world’s top 50 leading film festivals. The win comes close on the heels of the film winning Best Director at the Honolulu Film Awards in Hawaii.
Das Tub was directed by Media Design School’s 3D course leader James Cunningham and animated by Advanced 3D students Rupert Ashton, Priyan Jayamaha, Jonathan Hagan, Andrew Junying Xu and Kirsten Dale Pretorius. The film features Kiwi actor Craig Hall and was written by acclaimed NZ screenwriter Nick Ward. The win means that Das Tub now qualifies to be considered for the Oscars.
Judges at the festival said the film won because of its “creativity, humour and ability to surprise”.
“Studentfilm-making is not easy – it requires commitment, stamina and lots ofoptimism,” says Graeme Mason, CEO of the NZ Film Commission. “Receivingthis award is a great achievement and the NZ Film Commissioncongratulates everyone involved with Das Tub. We look forward to seeingwhat you each create next.”
Media Design School CEO FrancesValintine says that the award is a reflection of the hard work put inby the entire production team.
“We are all absolutely over themoon with this win, especially considering that there were more than2500 submissions from all around the world for the Aspen Shortsfest,”she says.
“Das Tub has been well-received by audiences globallybecause it is a quirky little film that is extremely polished. It trulyshows that Media Design School graduates have an edge over othersbecause they have already built industry connections during their timehere, and know what it’s like to work on real productions, according toreal timelines and schedules.”
Director Cunningham says that being recognised at such a prestigious festival as Aspen Shortsfest is a real honour.
“Thisaward really pays tribute to the achievements of all the tutors in the3D Department,” he says. “Our 3D courses are unique in that studentsactually have a chance to collaborate with the best in the industry onthese films – actors, cinematographers, writers. That industrycollaboration allows for the students to work on professional levelvisual effects shots. We are very proud of our students’ work and theresults speak for themselves.”
Das Tub is a tongue-in-cheekhomage to submarine films and tells the story of the crew of a GermanU-boat as they navigate the vessel through uncharted waters. It hasreceived several international accolades including a finalistnomination at the prestigious Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards inHollywood in January.
Another critically acclaimed New Zealandfilm, The Six Dollar Fifty Man, won Best Drama at Aspen Shortsfest lastyear. The Six Dollar Fifty Man went on to make the Oscars shortlistthis year.