Festival Program

Festival activities include; workshops in non-linear editing, new technology film equipment and SPFX; lectures by high profile film industry figures; family entertainment; a special programme of films at the Embassy 3 Cinema; and a Hangi. Finalists in the Competition will have their films shown continuously throughout the Festival, with Awards and Prizes being presented at the Official Dinner.

Continuous Screening of Competition Films sponsored by Kodak

The finalists in the Short Film Competition will have their films screened every hour on the hour Saturday 10am to 3pm Sunday 10am to 12 noon.
The semifinalists, Saturday 9am & 4pm, Sunday 9am.
Pick up your KODAK Short Film Programme and Viewers’ Choice Entry Form from the reception foyer. Entry tickets to the Festival allow access to the Little Theatre at all times
‘Viewers’ Choice’ entries are restricted to one per entry ticket; your choice for Best Film can be made from any of the films shown.
The winner’s entry will be drawn 12noon Sunday & announced at the conclusion of the VIP Lecture at 12.30pm Sunday.
The film achieving the most votes from viewers, will be posted on the website Monday 21 Oct.

Award Presentation Dinner

This is the Gala event of the Festival.
Commencing with the Cocktail ‘Hour’ at 7.45pm
Followed by the buffet dinner with wine, for 150 people.
The Mayor will welcome the Guest of Honour & other distinguished guests.
An address by the VIP Guest Speaker (to be announced)
Followed by a Presentation of Awards & Prizes, to be presented by representatives of Sponsors. Announcement of the Feature Film Script-Writing Competition with a cash prize of $5000.
Free transport will be available from the Wanganui Function Centre to the Embassy 3 Cinema at the conclusion of the Dinner. A special NZ film will show from 11 pm.

New Film Equipment Workshop

Sony New Zealand is presenting this workshop; it is aimed toward the professional end of the Film Industry. Details soon.

Non-Linear Editing Workshop

Amber Technology (NZ) is presenting this workshop; to appeal to Film Industry technicians; students of film, computers & media; and all film-makers. Details soon.

SPFX On-a-Budget Workshop by Chris Chitty from Robotechnology

A light-hearted approach to SPFX & VFX for cash strapped young film-makers. Details soon.

VIP Lectures

Lectures are priced and timed, to allow attendance by as many Festival attendees as possible.
They will be of one hour duration, with time for Q & A’s.
Saturday 9.30am 11.30am 2.30pm Sunday 11.30am
Lectures will be given by the following:

Alun Bollinger

Undisputedly, NZ’s leading cinematographer, having given us our NZ film favourites such as ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’, ‘Came a Hot Friday’, ‘The End of the Golden Weather’ and the internationally acclaimed ‘Heavenly Creatures’. Another early starter in the business, Alun grew up in Titahi Bay, Wellington, left school and got a job with the NZBC (pre TVNZ). He was a cine-camera trainee and learnt ‘heaps fast’. After two and a half years, Alun became a freelance cinematographer and we know the rest. He lives amongst the wild West Coast hills with his wife and family. We welcome him to Wanganui and look forward to hearing some good stories.

Matthew Metcalfe

This is a name that will soon be familiar to everyone. Matthew, at the tender age of 28, has achieved a miracle as a film producer. He has taken a script by talented but unknown writer Jesse Warn, and raised the NZ$6 million (75% from overseas sources) required to produce a feature film. The film ‘Paper Scissors Stone’ has just been made in Canada and is now in post production. It is being prepared for the Sundance Festival in 2003. Matthew started his career by making short films - he will speak on making the leap to feature films.

 

Gaylene Preston

The versatile and creative producer and director, Gaylene Preston, should need no introduction to NZ film goers. She has directed such provocative films as ‘Mr Wrong’, ‘Ruby and Rata’ ‘Bread and Roses’ and ‘War Stories’. Currently she is filming ‘Perfect Strangers’, written by Gaylene , starring Sam Neill, and set on the wild west coast of the South Island. We are thrilled that she can make the time to come and speak to us all at the Festival.

 

Christian Rivers

Christian hails from Wanganui and has been Peter Jackson’s story-board artist for the past ten years. He plys his trade at Weta Workshop and is currently working on the second film of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. His credits include ‘Braindead’, ‘Heavenly Creatures’, ‘Hercules’ and ‘The Frighteners’. Christian started in the film industry at aged 18, thus proving that with the right stuff, that is ‘talent’, it is possible to make good in the NZ film industry at a very early age. Although his is a specialized area, it does indicate that there are many career paths open to keen young film aficionados. Christian will talk about his role in the construction of a feature film.

Location Tours

Will appeal to personnel from production houses who would want to see what the Wanganui district has to offer, in the way of film locations.
Of special interest to screen writers who are keen to enter the Feature Film Script-Writing Competition where 60% of the script needs to be set in the Greater Wanganui Region.
Bus tours will leave from the Wanganui Function Centre, Saturday 9am & 2.30pm Sunday 9 am.
Morning or afternoon ‘teas’ are included in the ticket for the two hour tour.

Family Entertainment sponsored by Wanganui Newspapers

All activities are free & will run from Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 9am to 12.30pm.
Supervision of children of school age, will allow parents to attend other Festival Events.
Primary school children have free entry to the Festival.
Secondary school students will need to purchase a student-priced entry ticket to attend the KODAK Short Film Programme of Competition Films.
Primary school children can participate in a Fancy Dress Competition with a ‘film’ theme.
Vintage films & cartoons to be shown by John McDonald, patron of the NZ Film Buffs Society.

Hangi

The final official event of the Festival will be held at the Putiki Marae on the banks of the Whanganui River. Sunday 1.30pm to 4pm.
An informal gathering, accommodating 150 people, with food and drink included in the ticket.
Official welcome, good food and drink, and entertainment.
Genuine Maori culture is alive and well in the Whanganui region - come, enjoy.

Meet & Greet

Two centrally situated bars are officially designated as Meet & Greet spots for Festival visitors.
At the Grand Hotel, the Ceilidh Bar is providing cheese platters, Friday & Saturday 5pm.
The Stellar Restaurant & Bar will have Happy Hours, Friday & Saturday 5pm.
The Red Lion Inn will be the gathering place for Festival diehards after the Hangi, Sunday 4.30

‘On Location’ Café

The Café will operate at the Wanganui Function Centre, Sat 8.45am - 4pm Sunday 8.45 to 1pm.
Espresso coffee, teas, pastries, panini, etc will be available.

Programme of NZ Films

The Embassy 3 Cinema is adding a selection of specially selected NZ films to their normal programme. Details soon.

Bookings

Tickets to all events will be available from August 1, 2002.
The Official Timetable, Ticket Prices, Booking Forms, & Accommodation Guide will be posted on this website by August 1, 2002.
The ‘Information & Booking Package’, in hard copy, will be mailed out, July 2002.
Tickets to some events are limited in number - first in, best dressed!

To be included on the ‘EARLY BIRD’ mailing list and to ensure that you receive this package, email your name &address to rivercityfilmfestival@xtra.co.nz , subject “Early Bird’, or send details to River City Film Festival PO Box 81 Wanganui.