New Zealand Youth Film Festival (NZYFF) marks the first red carpet for many of tonight's young nominees, but not the last. Out of over 426 entries from those between the ages of 15-24, only the cream of the creative crop has made it into this event showcasing their filmmaking talent. By the end, over $25,000 worth of prizes will be awarded to the best in their categories.
While the nominees waited for their lives to be changed, they liaised with the other dolled-up auteurs, backdropped by Massey University’s surprisingly striking venue. “I didn’t expect it to be this glamorous,” says ‘Best VFX’ nominee Josiah.
Josiah wasn’t alone, the prestige of this event was a new taste of what is to come for the up-and-coming, very different from humble home filmmaking. Josiah describes how videography began as “some weird dream of becoming a YouTuber, and now that’s evolved into something that I love now”. However, even though he has begun doing company commissions and is creating at an award-winning level, “It 100% still feels like play”.
This story is mirrored by Ephraim Frame, nominated for ‘Best Editing’: “I began as a youngster on an iPad making stop-motion animation with my LEGOs”. LEGO stop-motion now sits in contrast with NZYFF’s ‘Cheese Man’ made with childhood friend Lachlan Braithwaite, a gritty comedy about a vigilante who uses his powers to duplicate cheese and feed the poor. However, these more developed pictures still need a heart. “I think people are most creative when doing what they love with the people they love…if you bring the love and keep the love, that’s what makes the best products in the end”.
Joy in screen arts continues right up to the top, as expressed by Charlie Tait (Special Effects Supervisor at Wētā FX) who was present as a judge at the event. Tait has worked on some of the most iconic shots in modern film history, from Lord of the Rings to Avengers, but even with all of this experience, he says “You never get to a point where you take it for granted…I’ve thought so many times throughout my career, even when busy and struggling…how lucky I am that this is my work. Other people have to do real work - this is fun”.
By the end of the night, the grand prize is awarded for ‘Best Overall Film’. As well as being one hell of a prestigious resume edition, winners receive a $1,000 Cash Prize; lunch with Sir Richard Taylor, Lady Tania & Wētā Workshop In Wellington; and their Film is added on NZ On Screen. The winner is ’Tuned Out’ by Flynn Biara Allan, along with his present team members Jack England, Lola McLeod-Riera, and Harry White. 
The announcement left them speechless. Biara Allan mentioned in his acceptance that this may be the greatest day of his life. Even when time enough had passed to meet for an interview outside, he said “I don’t really comprehend English right now”.
Creating this short film took them seven months. Although they managed to finish the bulk of it early on, they decided they could still do more for the message of the film and wanted to create a soundtrack from scratch. This dedication came from a deep passion for raising awareness.
The film centres on characters living in an active war zone. Biara Allan noted “It’s become more relevant recently. I haven’t wanted to connect it to Ukraine because I don’t have experience there and I can’t speak to what they’re experiencing. But…this is something that we know is happening from New Zealand but it’s one of those things that, well, we’re sad about it, but it’s happening. In the end, it just gets less and less showcased on the news. We care less about it. You know, I’m now hearing about this dolphin that was found in a bay that kicked a surfer off a surfboard instead of what is going on around the world…we’re scared that what’s going on now will eventually be forgotten…keep your empathy levels up”
While this film comes from mature political roots, the team needed to keep a level of fun in the artistic process to maintain motivation. Biara Allan questions “If you’re not having fun, what are you doing. It’s supposed to be a passion project. Even if it’s a dark topic it’s really important for every member of the team that you keep the mood up”.
Cinematographer Harry White told me “In the process of creating the look of the film, we spent a lot of time breaking into Flynn’s apartment and setting things up, testing, playing with the different elements, and that elevated what the outcome looked like.”
Through all discussions with these young and talented filmmakers, the throughline was clear: embracing play, love, and dreams is the key to creating beautiful art. Even those formally trained in filmmaking spoke passionately about the childlike joy inherent in their creative process, attributing many breakthroughs to moments of dramatic play. In the words of Pablo Picasso: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up”. That is a feat that these young people have accomplished – and one you can too.