Ave Marie

New Zealand Production
Short 2024 Drama, Comedy 13.00 minutes
Ave Marie Infused with light
Set in 1984 suburban Aotearoa New Zealand, Ave Marie is about adopted siblings Marie and Xavier who use dance as a way to escape the day-to-day reality of their mother's religious rants and the neighbourhood bullies. While tough and unforgiving Xavier insists on putting himself front and centre of every dance routine and fighting the BMX gang for his right to wear lyrca, Marie decides she wants to shine too. When their staunchly Catholic mother leaves the kids home alone for another funeral, Marie gets her chance. With the help of a little faith and a kick arse soundtrack, Marie has to choose between saving Xavier from the fires of hell or helping him take the BMX gang head on. Can the power of dance unite where fists can't?
2024: Toronto LGBTQ + Film Festival
Winner Audience Award for Best Direction
Hobnobben Film Festival
Winner First-time Filmmakers Award
Outfest Peru International Film Festival
BraveMaker Film Fest
Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival
Atlanta Women's Film Festival – Nominated Best Ensemble Cast and Best Costume
Australia Independent Film Festival
Tees Valley International Film Festival
New Zealand's Vision Feast Film Festival
2025: Rainbow Umbrella Film Festival London
Wellington Pride Festival - Chosen Family Night

Directors

Celestina Sumby

Producers

Sabina Wallis

Screenplay Writers

Celestina Sumby

Executive Producers

Francesca Carney
Thomas Coppell

Cast

Annabelle Webb
Marie
Shanwen Tan
Xavier
Sylvia Rands
Bridget

Crew

Ben Powdrell | Editor
Chris Matthews | Director of Photography
John Cruickshanks | Production Designer
Daisy Chiara Marcuzzi | Costume Designer

Production Company

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