Media Release
LOADING DOCS, Aotearoa’s most successful short documentary initiative, returns for 2018 with ten new filmmaking teams ready to turn their ideas into short films that make a lasting impact.
This year the initiative celebrates its fifth year of producing 3-minute kiwi documentaries that screen online, on demand and on the big screen. The team at LOADING DOCS has been through a rigorous selection process to choose these films by some of Aotearoa’s most exciting documentary talent, maintaining their commitment to fostering and promoting New Zealand filmmakers.
Last year, LOADING DOCS was awarded the NZ On Air Best Web Series at the 2017 TV Awards confirming the significant impact the initiative has made on audiences and the filmmaking industry, which has prompted the theme for the 2018 films to be just that: impact. As in previous years, the filmmakers were asked to submit a unique concept that relates to the theme, and as always the broad interpretations of that theme mean that the films are diverse, creative, inspiring and ready to make an impact.
With support from principal funder NZ On Air, along with the New Zealand Film Commission and Te Māngai Pāho, LOADING DOCS will help fund, create and distribute the ten digital shorts. Additionally, the filmmakers must now pitch their films on crowdfunding platform BOOSTED, providing them with a vital opportunity to connect with their potential audiences while raising the extra funds they will need to complete the film to the highest level. The BOOSTED campaigns launch on May 24th and the teams will have one month to reach or exceed their goal of $2000 at which point they will receive an additional $4450 from LOADING DOCS plus a post-production package from Department of Post.
The founders of LOADING DOCS, Julia Parnell and Anna Jackson, are proud to be embarking on this project of professional development once again and are excited to see these powerful and thought provoking short films come together. “Every year we are completely blown away by how these talented documentarians come up with original, brave and captivating ideas and turn them into these perfectly formed little cinematic gems” says Parnell. “The films from previous years have exceeded 5.1 million views so the filmmakers really do have an opportunity here to have their film make an impact and be seen all over the world.”
Announcing the 2018 LOADING DOCS: IMPACT teams and projects.
Hear Me Out
Director: Jason Boberg | Producer: Lucy Stonex
Aotearoa’s first deaf MP Mojo Mathers has long fought for her voice to be heard. Now with one final bill in parliament, can she ensure all people with disabilities in New Zealand will be heard?
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/hear-me-out
The Barter Barber
Director Ygnacio Cervio | Producer Valeria Astudillo
After losing friends to suicide, a crisis trained barber leaves his life behind to travel around the country on a mission to challenge the perception of men’s mental health one haircut at a time.
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/the-barter-barber
John the Baptist
Director/Co-Producer: Kayne Ngātokowhā Peters | Producer: Piata Gardiner-Hoskins
An Englishman who moved to New Zealand to be a Baptist minister says he is serving God by learning to speak te reo Māori.
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/john-the-baptist
Kārearea
Director: Jared Buckley | Producer: Sofia MacKenzie
A passionate falcon trainer and her loyal falcon race against time to raise awareness about the threats facing New Zealand’s top aerial predator.
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/karearea
Motu
Director: Himiona Grace | Producer: Anahera Parata
The lone resident of a sinking island watches in despair as the effects of climate change slowly encroach on his island paradise. But what can one person do to counteract a global crisis? How can he stop the waves?
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/motu
She Speeds
Director: Morgan Leigh Stewart | Producer: Lissandra Leite
In the exhilarating and male-dominated world of dirt track racing, stock car driver Brooke does what she loves most: races. The fiercely determined Brooke navigates the pits, the track, the past, and the future of NZ’s most beloved motorsport.
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/she-speeds
The Crossroads: Le Māgafā
Director: Sani Sagala | Producer: Aaron Taouma
The two worlds of rapper Kas Tha Feelstyle Futialo intersect in this lyrical depiction of the influences on his life. In the intermingling of Western Hip Hop and Sāmoan culture we find a place where similarities are strengthened and music flows.
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/the-crossroads
The Cube of Truth
Director/Producer: Amy Taylor
A daring young couple take a surprising message of violence to the streets, exposing the dark side of animal industries and challenging the status quo.
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/the-cube-of-truth
What Logan Did
Director/Producer: Jane Mahoney | Co-Producer: Josie Cox
A passionate young Ngāi Tahu inventor is on a mission to rid New Zealand’s rivers of Didymo, and the way he’s going about it is truly remarkable.
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/what-logan-did
Soldiers Road
Director: Louise Pattinson | Producer: Gabriel Abreu
A Māori entrepreneur attempts to reclaim the exploitative art form of portrait photography by using it to help prisoners reframe their identity. But can a simple photograph really change your life?
Boosted Link: https://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/soldiers-rd
About Loading Docs
Loading Docs is a unique New Zealand documentary initiative established in 2014 that aims to captivate and inspire audiences as well as develop and promote New Zealand filmmaking talent. Every year Loading Docs selects ten thought provoking short documentary proposals, which are then supported from development through to distribution. Loading Docs filmmakers expand their skills in a range of areas including story development, outreach, publicity and marketing and distribution. Since its inception Loading Docs has achieved over 5.1 million views across the collection and is supported by TVNZ OnDemand, Air New Zealand in-flight and hosted on such high profile websites as National Geographic, The Atlantic, The Daily Mail, Huffington Post, Upworthy, The Guardian, Great Big Story and Short of the Week and featured in festivals such as The New Zealand Film Festival, Melbourne Film Festival, SXSW and Telluride Mountain Film Festival to name but a few. Loading Docs has significantly increased the value and impact of New Zealand documentary series winning NZ On Air Best Web Series in 2017 at the New Zealand Television Awards.
Loading Docs is a Notable Pictures initiative, founded by Julia Parnell and Anna Jackson.
Loading Docs is funded by NZ On Air
and made with the support of The New Zealand Film Commission and Te Māngai Pāho.
Contact:
All media enquiries
Tamar Münch
Email: [email protected]
Loading Docs shorts are also available to watch on TVNZ OnDemand:
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/ondemand/loading-docs
Boosted Website: www.boosted.org.nz