Whisker, a New Zealand short film about a man trying to win a beard-growing contest, has won the Future Filmmaker Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
It was written by Saatchi & Saatchi CD Corey Chalmers, directed/produced by Steve Saussey & Yolande Dewey of Stuff & Nonsense Ltd, and funded by the NZ Film Commission.
Whisker – the debut film from all three – was competing in Palm Springs against 330 shorts.
“We’re pretty chuffed to get an award at the film’s international premiere, in a major show just down the road from Hollywood,” says Chalmers.
“It’s been a labour of love for Steve, Yolande and myself for over a year and it’s great to see some major recognition for the hard work and skill our crew, performers and post-production guys put into this very Kiwi tale.”
Steve Saussey said: ”For a New Zealand short film to be recognised by a major US festival jury is fantastic, given the amazingly high standards of the films in competition. For the film to get this kind of attention at its world premiere is especially encouraging.”
Yolande Dewey said: “To be invited to Palm Springs and tap into the network of filmmakers and industry from all over the world has been fantastic, and the jury prize is a real honour for Whisker at its first outing.
“Stuff & Nonsense is coming home invigorated and inspired to do what we do best – making funny stuff that people like to watch.”
Whisker was executive produced by Short & Sharp.
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