The He Kauahi Catalyst supports New Zealand filmmakers keen to progress their talents to the next stage and create exceptional narrative short films. Through this initiative up to $90,000 is available for narrative drama and animation short films.
Live Action final selection
- The Keepers, horror/thriller, Leigh Minarapa, Angela Cudd, Alix Whittaker up to $90,000
While trapping rats deep in the forest, a determined young woman discovers that she and her eccentric supervisor aren’t the only ones laying traps.
- Time & Place, thriller/drama, Samuel Te Kani, Ashleigh Roworth, up to $90,000
One quiet Friday night in a small town two parallel ‘dates’ go from bad to worse… to murderous.
- ORC, horror/drama, Louis Joblin, Jessica George, up to $90,000
A woman's attempt to escape suburban purgatory is undermined by her conviction she's targeted by a matter-altering global conspiracy.
- Thieves of Te Rā, action/adventure, Te Waiarangi Ratana, Anahera Parata, Ben Bamford, up to $90,000
Evil forces hunt a Māori artifact with the power to command the sun. Two Māori heroes stand in their way.
- Are You Done?, drama/romance, Ramon Te Wake, Nicola Smith, up to $55,000
A couple’s suppressed tensions boil over and tear their relationship apart.
Animation final selection
- Macron Man, drama, Allan George, Jason Taylor, up to $90,000
A lonely Māori tradie, Macron Man, travels Aotearoa fixing missing macrons on road signs and businesses until one night, his macron creation comes to life, guiding him toward a buried grief and a gift he's never dared to open.
- Nine Girls, family, Stan Fong, Angela Cudd, Stacy Gregg, Dana Leaming, Mike Murray, Eileen Murray, Philippa Campbell, up to $90,000
Struggling to understand her new home, a disconnected young girl rescues a taniwha in the depths of her awa (river) who helps her realise home has always been inside her.
- The Thirteenth Coil, sci-fi, Simon Ward, Jess Johnson, up to $86,172
Trapped for aeons inside a vast alien maze, a humanoid species called the Fleshold develop clashing cultures as they struggle to transcend their confinement.
- The Rotten Cores, comedy/horror, Wade Cowin, Rosie Howells, Kate Goodwin, up to $89,995
Dysfunctional female punk band The Rotten Cores are having one of the worst rehearsals of their career - but their egotistical antics might actually save them.
- Untasted, comedy, Alex Dron, Julian Stokoe, up to $89,777
A 2D animated short set in Zealandia where beauty hides a flavour best left untasted.