Talent galore lined up for NZ Web Fest

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Social talent, branded content, web TV and indie video will collide at the inaugural NZ Web Fest (held in conjunction with over 40 Web Fests around the world) to be held at Auckland’s Media Design School on Saturday 7 November.

“Being a small country the New Zealand version is a little different,” says event organiser Fiona Powell. “It includes taking YouTube talent into the fold and evolving discussions about monetising web video content for creators with the ever-increasing platforms wanting original content for their subscribers.”

The one-day event includes screenings of world premieres of locally made web series (including End of Term and AFK) and speakers include internet sensation Jamie Curry of Jamie’s World.

“New Zealand is a leader in digital content,” says Powell. “New Zealand web series High Road is currently winning the Web Series World Cup and YouTube talent Jamie Curry (Jamie’s World) and Shaaanxo are followed by millions around the world.”

The NZ Web Fest #NZWF2015 has also announced nominees across four award categories who’ll compete for the inaugural NZ Web Fest Awards.

Among the nominees are shows and channels loved here in New Zealand and overseas. Some of the Best Web Series nominees have already taken away prizes from international web festivals.

Creators of three of the five Best Web Series nominees, Claris Jacobs (Nothing Much To Do), Roseanne Liang (Flat 3), and Roberto Nascimento (The Adventures of Suzy Boon), will present at the NZ Web Fest.

Also nominated for Best Web Series are Wellington-shot series Capital Culture and the second season of High Road from former Chills member Justin Harwood.

Magazine shows Hahana and NZ Off Air, short-form documentary show Human Postcards, documentary If These Walls Could Talk, and satirical political vlog White Man Behind A Desk compete for the Best Web Show award.

Jamie Curry is also named a nominee for the Best YouTube Channel Award, alongside gaming channel Azz Man; Ela Gale (who encourages followers to live a DIY life), makeup tutorial channel Shaaanxo, and Shaaanxo Vlogs.

Between them these five nominee channels have over four million subscribers.

The channels nominated for the One To WatchAaward are YouTube vloggers Corey Lupton, Sally Jo, Sam’s Life, Scurb and The Sheep That Went Moo (Ollie Langdon).

The Web Fest judges, include International Digital Emmy Award winners David Stubbs and Thomas Robins (Reservoir Hill, Girl vs Boy), TVNZ Shorts content strategist Robbie Spargo, and Karl Puschmann who writes and blogs about pop culture for the New Zealand Herald and reviews movies for Radio NZ.

Actress JJ Fong (Go Girls, Step Dave and upcoming web series AFK) will MC the awards.

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