| Wet West Film Festival 2006 a success! |
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The
Wet West Film Festival ran from 5 – 8 January and thrilled audiences
with the opening session of high adventure, adrenaline filled kayak
film from around the world. Hokitika’s Regent Theatre was home to a
solid crowd of 200 - 300 people all weekend, as the theme moved on from
Friday to all manner of films with a theme of water. “This year,” said
Festival Director Jo Kearns, “the subject matter of films was far
broader than last year. Lots of stories were told, some adventures and
epics were screened, environmental tales and even art films for film
sake. That’s the spread we’re after at future Wet West Film Festivals.”
Full results are here The judges do the hard work of selecting the nominations and award winners for six categories, and the audience is left to vote for the People’s Choice Award, this year an exciting race between international entry ‘Alone Across,’ and ‘Water, The fuel of the city’ by two Nelson teenagers. The prizegiving, Hokitika’s Oscar night, signalled the last time the audience enjoyed viewing the stunning Wet West Film Festival trophies, as they were handed out to the winning directors in each category, or prepared for sending around the world. Judge Richard Bell commented “The Wet West Film Festival has become truly international, and is now set up well to manage, screen and reward film from around the world. This does not come at the expense of showing New Zealand film however, more creates a true place to celebrate it.” The support for ‘Alone, Across’ from both the judges and the audience backed up the obvious view of those at the screening when it won both the Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards. Audience, film makers and judges parted on Sunday evening after being saturated on a journey of 42 watery films, and look forward to more reasons to visit the West Coast next year. The Wet West Film Festival will be calling for entries for the 2007 event from June, all information is on this website. |
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