For the fourth year in a row, we will be showcasing a fantastic selection of shorts from established filmmakers and up-and-coming talent alike.

Attend a screening in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin or Christchurch and you’ll be crowd-funding our Audience Award: 25% of the box office goes to the film ranked top by Auckland and Wellington audiences. We’ve been delighted by the popularity of this contest over the last three years, and look forward to some lively screenings in 2015.

NZIFF programmers Bill Gosden and Michael McDonnell viewed 75 submissions to make a shortlist of 12 from which Christine selected these six finalists. A jury of three will select the winners of the $5,000 Madman Entertainment Jury Prize for Best Film and the $3,000 Wallace Friends of the Civic Award. A separate jury appointed by the New Zealand Cinematographers Society will present the Allen Guilford Cinematography Award of $2,000 and an engraved pan glass.

Further short films, not least the Ngā Whanaunga programme of Māori and Pasifika shorts, are yet to be announced.

The New Zealand's Best Finalists Are:

Tits on a Bull

NZ 2015 | 16 mins | Director/Screenplay: Tim Worrall
The star player of a Māori women’s rugby team must choose between loyalty to her coach and love for her teammate.

Not Like Her

NZ 2015 | 14 mins | Director/Screenplay: Hash Perambalam
A rebellious teenager is forced to spend the day with her estranged mother when she is suspended from school. 

Ow What!

NZ 2015 | 15 mins | Director/Producer/Screenplay: Michael Jonathan
Te Mauri dreams of following in his absent rugby-playing father’s footsteps and finds encouragement from an unusual source.

Madam Black

NZ 2014 | 11 mins | Director/Producer: Ivan Barge
An errant photographer must concoct an elaborate story when he runs over a beloved pet. The tricky situations we get ourselves into.

The Tide Keeper

NZ 2014 | 10 mins | Director/Producer/Screenplay: Alyx Duncan
An old seaman dreams the ocean into his bed.

Feeder

NZ 2015 | 16 mins | Director: Christian Rivers
A down-on-his-luck musician finds inspiration when he moves into a creepy derelict flat, but success comes at a cost...