Cinema screening casts a spotlight on independent Kiwi films

One local film maker is boosting local creatives with the Auckland Independent Film Showcase at Bridgeway Cinemas.

The showcase will be highlighting five short films and one feature length film — all made by independent Kiwi filmmakers.

Theodore Elliot is the event's creator and a local filmmaker, who came up with the idea of an independent film festival as he wanted a chance to share his and others' work.

“I think the more we can celebrate independent productions and people that are out there making stuff, the more people can be inspired that they can do that too.”

This is the fourth showcase since the first event last year — he was inspired by the audience's reaction and decided to continue, hoping to eventually hold events every few months.

“I hope that by doing this more and more, more people will understand that there are all these people out there making these films and it is a very active community, and it's something that could be celebrated.”

Elliot said the reason he's held his event at a venue like Bridgeway is because it gives filmmakers a chance to have their art respected in the medium it was meant for.

“The platform encourages the creation of the work. It doesn't always matter if the work ends up showing an event or anything, just giving people the impetus to start”.

Bridgeway projectionist Meredith Malone said that people love the cinema because it offers an escape and a better chance to appreciate films with better sound, a bigger screen and the sense of an event.

“It kind of feels like a second home... for some people, I mean, they come every week.”

The tickets to the event are $25 — Elliot hopes charging for the event tells the audience that the films are worth the money.

Filmmakers can also feel validated that the audience is there for recognition of their work which is difficult when films are just posted online to platforms like YouTube.

“I think the community of filmmakers deserves that respect.”

Elliot wants to show that Kiwi cinema isn't just one thing, and that there is a huge diversity of voices, style and interests.

“The more that everyone understands that there's always people making stuff the better it is for everyone, because then the general public becomes interested in local, independent film...it can feel like a movement”.

Malone also said that local festivals are great for cinemas because they bring in a lot of new audiences.

The fourth Auckland Independent Film Showcase is being held at Bridgeway Cinemas on April 18, starting at 7pm.