News / Events

The New Zealand screen industry honours three recipients of awards:

SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year

SPADA Independent Producer of the Year

SPADA/Onfilm Industry Champion

The Awards were presented at the TVNZ Big Dinner on Friday November 18 as part of the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA) annual “Small Country: Big Picture” conference currently running at the Hotel Intercontinental in Wellington.

 

The SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year is Roseanne Liang. Since graduating from Auckland University in 2003 with a Masters in screen writing and directing, Roseanne Liang has made two dramatic short films which have taken her to the prestigious London and Berlin Film Festivals. She recently completed a feature-length documentary, Banana in a Nutshell, which was one of the most notable local successes of this year's New Zealand International Film Festival, playing to sell-out audiences in Auckland and Wellington. The film was also awarded Best Documentary in the medium-length category at the inaugural New Zealand International Documentary Festival. Roseanne's films form an eclectic mix of love stories, drama, noir and kung fu action - all spiced with a unique brand of absurdist humour.

This Award is the primary recognition in New Zealand for emerging filmmakers who have displayed special talent, excellence and creativity in their filmmaking to date. The prize package comprises $10,000 of principal sponsor Park Road Post post-production services, $10,000 Panavision equipment rental, $4000 cash from FACB, $2500 Kodak film stock, Village SKYCITY Cinemas Gold Card and travel from Stage & Screen Travel and Air New Zealand.

SPADA Independent Producer of the Year is Elizabeth Mitchell, producer of TV3 hit series Bro Town, which has just completed another strong season and has received funding for another series. Bro Town has won best comedy script at the NZ Screen Awards, TV Guide Best on the Box People's Choice Awards for best comedy and best comedy at the Qantas Television Awards. It is now part of New Zealand’s popular culture.

Last year SPADA initiated the Independent Producer of the Year Award as a way of recognising an independent producer who has made a significant contribution in the last year towards the growth, development and promotion of the independent screen production industry.

The SPADA/Onfilm Industry Champion 2005 is independent producer  Dave Gibson.  Associate Minister for the Arts, Judith Tizard, in presenting this award, said, “Dave Gibson’s contribution to the industry, his staff and colleagues, and to the Wellington creative sector that he has helped to build, is never less than 100 percent.

“Without him, the industry would be less colourful, less professional, less successful and definitely less interesting.”

His company, The Gibson Group, has produced numerous popular television drama series including The Insider’s Guide to Love and The Insider’s Guide to Happiness, The Strip, Duggan and Cover Story. He has also paved the way in arts programming with Sunday, The Edge, Backchat and Frontseat. In children’s television there are Mirror Mirror, Cuckooland and Holly’s Heroes and in comedy Away Laughing, Skitz, The Semisis and political satires Public Eye and Facelift and the feature film The Silent One.

He has been a member of the Film Commission Board, was founding chairman of the Independent Producers and Directors Guild (IPDG) and has served as chairman and executive member several times of SPADA.

The industry champion award was created seven years ago to recognise a leading industry figure or organisation who has demonstrated passion and professionalism in making a significant contribution to the production industry. It is open to all levels and sectors of the industry, and the contribution could be a single action, activity or achievement or a lifetime commitment.

Small Country Big Picture 2005 is supported by principal sponsor New Zealand Film Commission with key sponsors Investment NZ, NZ Trade & Enterprise, TVNZ, TV3, Wellington City Council and Film Wellington. Our major supporters include Village SKYCITY Cinemas, Screenrights, AUT Communications, Oktobor, NZ On Air, Villa Maria Estate, Ministry for the Environment, Goethe-Institut, The Film Archive, Onfilm magazine, FIUA, APRA and Telecom.

Special Events Sponsors: Independent Producer of the Year sponsored by NZ Trade & Enterprise, the New Filmmaker of the Year sponsored by Park Road Post (principal sponsor), FACB, Kodak, Village SKYCITY Cinemas, Panavision, Stage and Screen Travel and Air New Zealand. The SPADA Pitching Competition sponsored by South Pacific Pictures and travel by Voyage Airfares.

The Screen Production and Development Association of New Zealand (SPADA) represents the interests of producers and production companies on all issues that affect the business and creative aspects of independent screen production in New Zealand.

Contact: Sue May, SPADA conference publicist 0274 739 318

2005 CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS HERE