China in spotlight as NZ short film festival turns 20

International short film festival Show Me Shorts returns for its 20th anniversary in October, bringing 83 short films to screens nationwide and adding a fresh cultural twist to the celebrations.

The spotlight falls on China this year, with eight films from the Asian nation set to captivate Kiwi audiences.

The festival has selected eight standout Chinese short films from more than 100 entries.

The line-up from China includes a wide variety of genres, from animated titles (Door Gods, Untitled and Help Me Tom)and fantasy (The Wanderer and The Dream of Death and Life) to science fiction (The Leftovers) and drama (Friends).

Festival director Gina Dellabarca said the films gave audiences a taste of modern China while also exploring the historical and cultural traditions that continued to shape the country.

“It’s our 20th anniversary, a big year for us,” Dellabarca said.

“We thought that we should choose a big country like China with such a rich cinematic tradition.” 

Several prominent Chinese filmmakers are expected to travel to New Zealand for panel discussions and special events.

Sleepless comedy Representative, Please is expected to headline the festival’s opening night at Academy Cinemas in Auckland on 8 October.

From 7–27 October, film lovers can dive into a packed programme of 127 screenings and events happening at 40 cinemas and community venues throughout New Zealand.

This year’s line-up features 83 short films, grouped into 11 themed collections.

To celebrate its milestone year, the festival is also hosting a special 20th Anniversary Retrospective, revisiting shorts from some of New Zealand’s most iconic filmmakers.

Dellabarca has hand-picked five standout shorts she believes are well worth your time.

A comedic horror that follows a locksmith who has been asked to lock a door forever. It’s a little spooky, a little cheeky but a lot of fun. The film stars Korean Canadian actor Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, best known for the hit TV series Kim’s Convenience.

A New Zealand short that follows a haunted taxi through the city streets. It’s eerie, intriguing and includes just the right amount of spookiness.

A dreamy New Zealand animated short from a Chinese director based in Wellington that tells the story of a fleeting childhood friendship between two boys, brought to life in a gentle, poetic style that lingers long after the credits roll.

A heartwarming animated short from DreamWorks that centres on a teenage boy who unexpectedly bonds with his grandfather over a video game.

An Indonesian music film that tells the story of a father and son who dedicate their lives to protecting the rainforest they call home.