I was also interested in the possibility of shooting in Northern Queensland in Autralia (offers tax rebates and grants) as I have strong ties to Australia, having lived there on and off for 18 years and working in the industry there. Plus there is a Papua New Guinean community in Cairns, a city in Queensland.
BLUE WILLOW
A hand-drawn animated short film.
Inspired by the famous "Willow" plate pattern, Blue Willow brings the blue lines
on a porcelain plate to life and weaves a haunting (and quirky) story of love and family betrayal.
Written, Directed, Illustrated & Produced by
Veialu Aila-Unsworth
Screened at 30 film festivals in 13 countries including the 56th Berlin International Film Festival.
Starring the voice of Jing He as the female lead, Koong-se
Original Music and Musical Performance by Tim Beals,
Digital Direction by Mark D'Ath, Traditional Cell Animation by Tom Simpson,
Concept Artist and Storyboards by Dave Bat, Sound mixing by Phill Adams.
Running time: 13 mins
Country: Aotearoa New Zealand
Language: English
Made in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
/ Ngāti Toa Rangatira & Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika land
"Bordering somewhere between dream, myth and critical reality, the films of artist Veialu Aila-Unsworth question ideas of culture, identity, time and space. Spurred by a deep personal search, Aila-Unsworth goes beyond the surface of mythology to tell stories that affirm and connect."
- Whitefungus magazine
OFFICIAL SELECTION
EUROPE
Berlin International Film Festival - Kinderfilmfest/14plus (Germany)
Clermont-Ferrand - market screening (France)
IndieLisboa (Portugal)
Granada Film Festival (Spain)
Hamburg Short Film Festival (Germany)
Ale Kino! International Young Audience Film Festival (Poland)
Sexta em Curtas (Portugal)
With Ensemble Fleder Swedish vocal quartet in Sweden (2012) and Portugal (2013)
OCEANIA
New Zealand International Film Festival (New Zealand)
Brisbane International Film Festival (Australia)
Wairoa Film Festival (New Zealand)
In The Bin Festival (Australia)
Show Me Shorts (Australia)
Coromandel Film Festival (New Zealand)
Out Of The Blue (New Zealand)
Magma Short Film Festival (New Zealand)
WIFT International Short Film Showcase (New Zealand)
Reel Asians - WIFT fundraising event (New Zealand)
Exhibited at City Gallery Wellington (New Zealand)
Auckland Lantern Festival (New Zealand)
ASIA
Goyang International Children's Festival (Korea)
Seoul International Family Film Festival (Korea)
With Ensemble Fleder Swedish vocal quartet in Hangzhou, Wenzhou, and Shanghai Conservatory of Music in China (2013)
AMERICA
Chicago International Film Festival
Milly Valley Film Festival
Cinema K Children's Festival
San Diego Women's Film Festival
GlamourFilmFest (Christina Ricci's 'pick of the week')
Alaska Native Film Festival
CANADA
ImagineNATIVE Film & Media Festival (Toronto)
Dawson City International Shorts Festival - Winner of Audience Favorite (Yukon)
Carousel International Film De Rimouski (Vancouver)
AFRICA
Lola Kenya Screen (Kenya)
AWARDS
Winner - Audience Favorite at Dawson City International Shorts Festival
Finalist - New Zealand Screen Awards, Best Short & Script
BLUE WILLOW SHORT FILM WAS MADE IN WELLINGTON, AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND
Blue Willow was created with the kind support of Creative NZ and the NZ Film Commission, Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School, and the Victoria University of Wellington Theatre Programme.