Friday 10 September 2010 2:28pm
The work of two University of Otago filmmaking students has this week won a major accolade at the 2010 Colarado International Film Festival; the Platinum Best Film Award.
The documentary, Carving the Future, follows the journey of four inspirational young New Zealanders as they lead large-scale community action projects to confront the 21st century challenge of climate change and environmental degradation.
It was produced by Otago graduates Guy Ryan and Nick Holmes in the final year of their Masters in Science Communication at Otago. The pair, along with three other graduates of the Masters course, has since formed the filmmaking company Splashroom Media, which is based at the University’s Centre for Innovation.
“This award came as a total surprise. It just reinforces the fact that we have filmmaking talent right here in Otago, and the more we can nurture and support this the greater the outcomes are,” says Mr Ryan.
“The University offers an amazing wealth of knowledge and experience. We’ve got so many mentors around campus – it’s our roots, and it’s the reason we continue to make great films.”
The award comes as Mr Ryan prepares to fly to London to attend the most prestigious international film festival of its kind, Wildscreen, for which the film has been nominated in the BBCs Best Newcomer Award category. The award ceremony takes place on October 10.
One thousand copies of the film were recently pressed on to DVD, and are now being distributed throughout schools and communities around New Zealand.
“The film has been really well received – screened in every region, and now seen by more than 6000 New Zealanders,” he says.
The film also won runner-up Best New Zealand Film at the Reel Earth Film Festival in May.
Contact
Guy Ryan
Cell 027 485 0941
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