Awards celebrate achievements of New Zealand screen industry

Press, 28 June 1989, Page 14

Awards celebrate achievements of New Zealand screen industry

The stars of New Zealand’s film and television industry gather to celebrate their achievements in “The Listener Film and Television Awards” tonight at 8.30 on Two. Dougal Stevenson will host the gala occasion in the telecast from the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington. “It’s always great fun and I’m honoured to be asked again,” says Stevenson. “Things will be pacier this year, I’ll have much less of a filler role, and there’ll be more guest presenters.” Among the personalities presenting the awards will be the broadcaster, Jim Hopkins, the “Gloss”/. “Lotto” star, Kerry Smith, the “CV” presenter Larnie Gifford, the actress, Ellie

Smith, and the entertainer, Nick Tansley.

Four new television categories covering the craft skills have been introduced this year. They are Camera, Contribution to a Soundtrack, Editing and Production/Graphic Design. “The backroom workers have long been neglected in front-line awards shows,” says the project manager, Graeme Nesbitt. “The industry wants to recognise the tremendous team effort of television technicians.” The television section finalists reflect a broad spectrum of Kiwi talent this year. The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s rendition of John Gibson’s “Milford track” vies with Funny Business’s

Geoff Murphy’s actionpacked “Never Say Die” is in three categories, including both male and female performance, while Melanie Read’s frenetic comedy “Send a Gorilla” is a finalist in four categories, including film score and female performance. Peter Jackson’s splatter

movie “Bad Taste” has finalists in eight categories, including Production Design and Director, and Sam Pillsbury’s scenic “Starlight Hotel” has finalists in nine categories including cinematography and female performance. Vincent Ward’s medieval odyssey, “The Navigator,” has finalists in 11 categories, including Director, Original Screenplay, Male Performance.

Three short films, Kathy Dudding’s "Kanaky au Pouvoir,” Front Lawn’s “Lounge Bar” and Alison Maclean’s “Kitchen Sink,” which was in competition at the Cannes film festival this year, will each be vying for the Short Film Award.