NZIFF: New Zealand's Best 2023

This collection of short films, selected by filmmaker Niki Caro, features fresh perspectives, acts of resistance, and small but powerful stories perfectly told. From a range of different voices, these films are tough and tender. It was wonderful to be reminded of the diversity of our people and our stories, our lack of sentiment, depth of feeling, sense of humour, sense of justice, and our curiously New Zealand perspective on universal themes.”

A total of 81 films were submitted for this year’s New Zealand’s Best short film competition. NZIFF Head of Programming, Michael McDonnell, and Senior Programmer Sandra Reid viewed them all to draw up a shortlist of 12, from which Guest Selector Niki Caro selected the six finalists.
“This selection of short films features fresh perspectives, acts of resistance, and small, but powerful stories perfectly told. From a range of different voices, these films are tough and tender. It was wonderful to be reminded of the diversity of our people and our stories, our lack of sentiment, depth of feeling, sense of humour, sense of justice, and our curiously New Zealand perspective on universal themes.” — Niki Caro.
Films are listed in the order that they will screen: Daughter of God, dir. Maza White; My Eyes are Up Here, dir. Nathan Morris; Gate Crash, dir. Paloma Schneideman; Freedom Fighter, dir. Tusi Tamasese; Hey Brainy Man, dir. Jo Randerson, Loren Taylor; Anu, dir. Pulkit Arora.