Dunedin: Auditioning Now
3.5 mins non-fiction short film, 2026
What begins as an audition tape for award-winning New Zealand comedian James Mustapic quickly evolves into a vibrant showcase of Dunedin. Taking on a series of eccentric characters, James moves through the city’s iconic locations, with each audition unravelling in increasingly hilarious ways. As his performances spiral off course, it becomes clear that while James may not land the role, the true star of the show is Dunedin.
Producer: Stefan Roesch (Dunedin)
Writer/Director: Pennie Hunt (Dunedin)
Mokomoko
15.5 mins, documentary, 2025
In this short documentary, two volunteers, Anna Yeoman & Grant Norbury share how 20+ years of conservation work, challenges, and successes have made this community driven sanctuary in Alexandra, a true haven for native dryland species in New Zealand.
Anna Yeoman (from the film) has since the creation won science communicator of the year. This film was a passion project that Ellie self funded, directed, edited, graded and mixed herself with help from her partner (the narrator) and colleagues - “a labour of unpaid, but also great love for awesome conservation initiatives in Otakou”.
Filmmaker / Director: Ellie Adams (Christchurch, raised in Wanaka)
Ellie Adams who grew up in Wānaka then studied in Dunedin and went into broadcast TV production. This is Ellie’s second short film as a director, and it premiered in the NZ mountain film festival last year and screened at Canterbury Women in Film. Ellie now works as lecturer at the University of Canterbury’s digital screen campus, where she leads the virtual production programme, and teaches cinematic arts degree courses.
What Lies Within
4 mins, fiction short film (animation), 2025
They say everyone has an inner child. It’s always there, lingering around. You’ll find some people who claim their inner child no longer exists, and that it was left behind in childhood. But that’s not true… because Pam sees them.
Creator: Nehlia Chua (Queenstown, age 17)
Sick Attraction
14 mins, fiction short film, 2025
Two exes with an intricate past reconnect after one's health declines due to a rare blood illness that only the other can cure, while in turn allowing them both to grieve for what was left in the past.
Director, Editor: Jacinta Ricketts (Queenstowner of 6 years)
Writer, Producer: Morgan Lawrence
Created in Wellington as part of the Honours degree at Massey University National Academy of Screen Arts
Mahika Kai
10 mins, documentary, 2024
MAHIKA KAI follows a Kāi Tahu family of cultural conservators and knowledge-holders on their mission to regenerate the landscape of Wānaka through traditional food gathering practices.
Director: Kieran Satour
GARUWA Executive Producers: Jamie Brewer, Gizelle Regan and Ramona Telecican
Dragon Battle
1 min, fiction short film (animation), 2025
An armoured warrior finds a town ravaged by a dragon, so he goes to its lair to fight it.
Creator: Jackson Rickard (Invercargill SIT student)
Planet 13
13 mins, fiction short film, 2024
On a harsh, burnt-out planet that is rapidly dying, a young couple roam the land in search of a way to buy their survival. To them it's clear, as it was for their grandparents, that the only way to survive is to leave their home planet in search of a new one. However, unlike the people of earlier generations, their home isn't Earth, and finding the resources needed to escape is a matter of life and death.
Writer, Director: Joe Murdie
Producer: Erin Murdie
Bunker Street Film Co