The Shorts - Loading Docs

2016

The theme for 2016 is ‘change’. The short documentaries explore this theme in a variety of ways. Some share personal stories of dramatic change, others address major social, political and environmental changes, and all have the potential to change the way viewers think and feel.

The colourist

As one of the original colourists for White’s Aviation in the 1950’s, Grace Rawson reminisces and revives the forgotten art of hand-tinted photography for the first time in over fifty years.

Mr & Mrs Gock

When New Zealand gave two young Chinese refugees citizenship in the 1940’s they found an unlikely way to return the gift - by saving the almighty kumara.

Mister Sunshine

Meet the millionaire who became a shoeshine man peddling goodwill and cheer throughout Auckland.

Bludgeon

Knight-in-waiting Martainn must battle his inner demons if he is to rise to the occasion and lead the mighty Steel Thorns in his beloved sport of full contact medieval combat.

Blood sugar

Four-year-old Dahlia takes us into her bittersweet world of blood, needles and sugar.

Street smart

Ten years on, Regina Tito looks back at her life on the streets and delivers an image society desperately needs to see.

Imagine the World is Ending

Do today's young people have a right to be angry about the world they've inherited? Two schoolboys use poetry and a selfie stick to confront the problems facing the world.

‘Aka’ōu: Tātatau in the cook islands

An unlikely master of the traditional Polynesian art of Tātatau, Englishman Croc Coulter must pass on his knowledge to a new apprentice.

Water for gold

Water for Gold tells the alarming story of how international trade law is leading us to trade our most basic rights to clean, safe water for access to gold.

Same but different

Best mates must re-calibrate their friendship when one transitions from a man to a woman.

2015

In 2015 the selection of Loading Docs 3-minute shorts explored aspects of ‘connection’. The filmmakers behind this eclectic bunch of short documentaries comprise an outstanding line-up of filmmaking talent.

Dancing in the Dark

Dancing in the Dark sheds light on the transformative power of dance.

Waihorotiu

A watery portrait of our urban landscape reveals that when it comes to our cities there is more than meets the eye.

Kusuda

A cyclone threatens to destroy the harvest of Japanese winemaker Hiro Kusuda, forcing him to reflect on the fragility of life.

Madness made me

Down the end of the long polished corridor, Mary O'Hagan comes face to face with the condemning words written about her in her psychiatric files.

Tihei

As the beat drops can Tihei find his words? Redemption comes unscripted.

Gina

A woman suffering an extreme genetic disorder argues for her right to choose when and how she dies.

Fantasy cave

A group of cave dwellers beaver away night and day to create an immersive fantasyland, but is it really for the children?

Please Open

Cultural icon and cinematic relic The Crystal Palace fights to hold off the final curtain call.

Conversations with Pets

Imagine if you could have a conversation with your pet... Faye Rogers can.

Wilbur force

Wilbur Force, the former king of NZ pro-wrestling, is provoked to break out of the cage of his worst self and reconnect with his glory days of battle.

2014

The first offering of the Loading Docs initiative in 2014 explored unique aspects of ‘home’ and showcased some of New Zealand’s finest filmmakers. These distinctive and original 3-minute documentary shorts were then made freely available online from May 2014.

Today

Today follows the passing of time for residents and workers of a South Auckland rest home and offers an intimate and evocative insight into a place many New Zealanders call 'home'.

The road to Whakarae

Deep in the Urewera Ranges, Māori elder Beam Titoko puts on his best cowboy hat, digs out his old guitar and sings a song of home. Made by Tūhoe filmmakers, this affectionate portrait of a community pays tribute to the strength of the families who keep Tūhoe’s home-fires burning.

Wayne

Wayne, a man with limited communication skills learns the harsh reality of love and romance. Nigel, his support worker and friend guides him through this puzzling human condition, but Wayne has ideas of his own.

The jump

In 1980 with a healthy mix of imagination, balls and roughly remembered Newtonian physics, a Kiwi bloke jumped off a bridge and started a worldwide phenomenon. ‘The Jump’ reveals unearthed footage of Bungy’s beginnings and tells the amazing tale of its unsung creator, Chris Sigglekow.

Stop/go

Be it in scorching sunlight or sideways snowfall Bernie’s out on the road. On site in New Zealand’s beautiful McKenzie Country, this veteran worker shares his view from the other side of the stop/go sign.

Living like kings

The Christchurch Earthquake left the majority of its population devastated, but for a small group of homeless people, disaster brought about new and luxurious living opportunities - a taste of what it’s like to live like a King.

Homing

An unusual journey through a New Zealand home on a summer’s day, this peaceful work initiates contemplation on what humans choose to have in their homes, and the natural and man-made symphony that surrounds us all.

BABA

An elderly Turkish migrant now living in New Zealand recounts memories of his early days as a refugee in Auckland, as told to his grandson Joel.

Queer Selfies

In a private tent at Auckland’s Big Gay Out festival, a diverse range of the queer community share moving, humorous and intimate stories of home.