AUDIENCES GET THEIR FIRST LOOK AT KIWI COMEDY ‘GARY OF THE PACIFIC’

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

Audiences will get their first look at the hilarious new comedy from thedownlowconcept(7 Days, Hounds) today with the release of the trailer for their debut feature film Gary of the Pacific.

Staring Josh Thomson, Megan Stevenson, Dave Fane, Matt Whelan and Dominic Ona-Ariki, as well as new face Taofi Mose-Tuiloma, this brand new kiwi feature film tells the story of struggling real estate agent Gary (Thomson), who becomes the chief of a sinking Pacific Island. Set to release in cinemas nationwide on March 16th, audiences will be guaranteed a heart-warming and hilarious film full of thedownlowconcept’strademark humour as well as the chance to see a new side of actor and comedian Josh Thomson.
 
“This film was such an amazing experience for us, especially working with Josh, say the film’s directors, thedownlowconcept. We don’t want to give anything away but let’s just say you get to see way more of him than you ever have before.”
 
Thomson adds:
 
“They made me take my pants off. I think it was just for their own personal amusement because surely no one wants to see that on the big screen.”
 
Gary of the Pacific will be released in cinemas around New Zealand through Rialto Distribution and was made with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission and NZ On Air. Production partners include ImageZone, Blockhead, Rialto Distribution, Fulcrum Finance and NZME.

To download a high res version of the trailer please click HERE and for high res stills please click HERE.

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BASEMENT JAXX TO PLAY AN EXCLUSIVE DJ SET IN WESTHAVEN

Iconic electronic music powerhouse duo Basement Jaxx will headline AKL17, a new summer occasion to be held Auckland’s iconic Mantell’s on the Water .

Widely respected as one of the UK’s most legendary house and big beat kings, Basement Jaxx have been wowing crowds around the world for close to 15 years. The hit makers behind ‘Romeo’ and ‘Where’s your Head At’ will play this one off intimate summer afternoon soiree on Saturday, January 21 2017 with tickets on sale now via AKL17.eventbrite.co.nz .

Supported by Dick Johnson (with more local support to be released), this promises to be a truly unique event for Auckland party seekers, kicking off the 2017 summer celebrations on Auckland’s beautiful waterfront.

Presented by Concrete Playground , tickets for this event are extremely limited with organisers advising getting in quick to avoid disappointment.

To Download High Res Images click HERE: 

KIMBRA ADDED TO RHYTHM AND VINES 2016 LINE UP

Grammy award-winning artist Kimbra will join Chance the Rapper, ZHU and RÜFÜS to headline Rhythm and Vines 2016. Playing the Vines Stage on December 30, this announcement marks Kimbra’s welcome return to the festival after headlining the 10th anniversary in 2012.

“We have always strived to be a platform for kiwi musicians making waves around the world and her star continues to rise internationally. Her lively soulful pop sound will provide a great balance for the hip hop and bass heavy music the festival is known for.”  says festival director Hamish Pinkham

Also announced, UK electronic music duo Maribou State join the lineup playing a DJ set to bring in the New Year in the Rhythm Supertop along with British Drum and Bass DJ Culture Shock, who will playing the same stage the night before on December 30. Crowd favorites Cut Snake were also announced earlier this month to headline the Cellar Stage on December 29, along with BBC Radio One DJ Heidi, who will be making her first appearance at R&V. And from across the ditch, Gisborne will be welcoming Melbourne local Oscar Key Sung and Sydney 6-Piece Ocean Alley, who are fresh from their sell out NZ Tour.

Fresh from his breakout success of his debut album Composure and with an impressive four nominees at this year’s Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards (Including Best Male Solo Artist, The Edge Best Pop Album, Vodafone People’s Choice Award and Vodafone Single of the Year for the infectious ‘Kind of Love’), Maala will take to the infamous Vines stage on December 29. Fellow VNZMA nominee Kings will also top off a magical 2016 in the Rhythm Supertop on December 31.     

Continuing with the original vision of the festival as a vehicle to promote local talent, local favourites Gromz, Baynk, Dan Aux, Chores, Aroha and Tali, Died in 69, Ekko Park, Eastern Block, Summer Thieves and Kinetic will take the bill as part of the over 100 acts set to perform at New Zealand’s longest running New Year’s festival.

A fourth stage named ‘The Discovery Stage’ will also be added to this year’s festival. This stage is set to feature the popular Giggle and Vines comedy segment and provide a platform for up and coming musicians to perform at the festival. The full lineup for the Discovery Stage and Giggle and Vines will be released in November along with the full schedule and set times.

To coincide with the day split of acts, single day tickets have now been released for sale and are expected to sell out fast. And partnering with Chatham Air to cater for a growing demand for flights into Gisborne, Rhythm and Vines have released Air Rhythm flights to Gisborne ex Auckland, starting from $365 return.

Festival organisers have released a final allocation of onsite camping to meet demand after their main two main campsites (General and Treble Camp) sold out earlier this year.

“We know some people usually wait till December to lock in their tickets but this year will be different and we strongly recommend getting in early,” says Pinkham. “Ticket sales have already surpassed last year's mark and we are heading towards selling the festival out within the coming weeks” 

TIMOTHY SPALL, MELANIE LYNSKEY & LUCY LAWLESS TO STAR IN ‘THE CHANGEOVER’

Set in post earthquake Christchurch and based on the young adult novel by Margaret Mahy, The Changeover will feature a stellar international and local cast including Timothy Spall (Harry Potter, The King’s Speech), Nick Galitzine (High Strung, The Beat Beneath my Feet), Melanie Lynskey (Heavenly Creatures, Two and a Half Men), Lucy Lawless (Xena, Ash vs Evil Dead), Dame Kate Harcourt (Hope and Wire, Separation City), newcomers Erana James and Benji Purchase. Principal photography for this supernatural coming of age thriller will begin on September 19th and will run till the end of October.

The Changeover will be directed by husband and wife creative duo Stuart McKenzie and Miranda Harcourt. A formidable partnership, Stuart and Miranda have years of film, theatre and TV behind them. It is Stuart who has adapted Margaret Mahy’s classic teen novel from page to screen and Miranda most recently was acting coach on a number of high profile international films including the upcoming blockbuster Lion.  The duo is thrilled to be bringing this fantastic story to the big screen.
 
"I fell in love with this story in 1984," says Harcourt. "I was lucky enough to narrate it on the radio when it was first published. Now nearly 30 years later we are making it as a movie. Newcomer Erana James is an amazing discovery for the lead role and she is surrounded with internationally renowned talents including Kiwis Lucy Lawless and Melanie Lynskey, who shot her very first film here in Christchurch, Heavenly Creatures. The magic of Margaret’s classic novel has brought some very special talent together."
  
The film will be shot entirely on location in and around the Christchurch CBD. Harcourt and McKenzie describe the city as a pivotal character in the feature and is quick to praise the city for its warm welcome to the cast and crew.
 
“Stuart was born and bred in Christchurch and it is a great pleasure for us to be able to bring this story home where it belongs," continues Harcourt. "Christchurch crew, actors and locations have been so willing to help. You can’t fake the look of this city, it is magical.”
 
The Changeover will be produced by Emma Slade from Firefly Films with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission, private investors and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant. Financing has been in association with Fulcrum Media Finance. Production partners include Park Road Post Production, Pukeko Pictures and the Christchurch City Council. Radiant Films International, based in Los Angeles, will sell the film globally (outside of Australia and NZ) with Vendetta Films distributing the film locally with a tentative release date of late 2017.
 

To download high res images of the key cast and creatives please click HERE: 


 

CHANCE THE RAPPER, ZHU AND RÜFÜS TO HEADLINE RHYTHM AND VINES 2016

Wilkinson, Netsky, Getter, Denzel Curry, Dusky, Goldlink, Hot Chip (Dj Set), Skream, Savage, P- Money, The Jordan Luck Band PLUS many more also announced on the bill for NZ’s premier New Year festival.

DECEMBER 29-31 2016, WAIOHIKA ESTATE, GISBORNE.

The first lineup for Rhythm and Vines 2016 has been announced with Chance The Rapper, ZHU and RÜFÜS in headline spots for the three-day festival.

At only 23, Chance the Rapper has already earned mainstream recognition and critical acclaim for his fusion of hip-hop and gospel sounds. His latest release Coloring Book was the first album to chart on the Billboard 200 purely on streams, peaking at number 8. Headlining Rhythm and Vines marks Chance’s first ever show on NZ soil.

ZHU is the Los Angeles-based producer behind the smash hit track ‘Faded’. Originally releasing his music anonymously, ZHU has risen globally in popularity, recently closing out Lollapalooza, and his EP Generationwhy gaining critical acclaim from Rolling Stone.

Famous for their atmospheric indie electronic dance-pop sound, Australian trio RÜFÜS will bring their infectious summer sound to this year’s festival. Formed in 2010 when a rain-soaked vacation to Byron Bay turned into an impromptu jam session, RÜFÜS features the talents of guitarist Tyrone Lindqvist, keyboardist Jon George, and drummer James Hunt. RÜFÜS released their full-length album, Bloom this year with the singles ‘Like an Animal,’ ‘You Were Right’ and ‘Take Me Out’ breakout hits on kiwi radio. RÜFÜS also played two sold out gigs to support the album at Auckland's Powerstation earlier this year.

Bolstering the strong international hip hop lineup will be performances from US rappers Goldlink and Denzel Curry. Goldlink’s debut album, The God Complex was named one of the best albums of 2014 by New York's Complex magazine. Catering for electronic fans, UK-based Dusky, Hot Chip (DJ Set), S.P.Y and Skream have been charged to bring in the New Year at Waiohika Estate.

Signed to Skrillex’s label OWSLA, heavy hitter Getter will be bringing the noise alongside fellow American DJ AC Slater. They will be joined by Drum and Bass favourites Wilkinson and Netsky who also return to the festival, marking Netsky’s fifth appearance at Rhythm and Vines.

Alongside the strong international line up, 2016 will see local favourites P Money, Savage, The Jordan Luck Band, Anna Coddington, Yoko-Zuna, Pacific Heights, Eno x Dirty, Bailey Wiley and Three Houses Down along with NZ producers Stack & Piece and Montell2099 rounding off the first release for the 2016 festival. This strong line up of local talent echoing the original vision of the festival as a platform to promote local talent.

2016 will also see the expansion of the festival’s premium offerings with a greater variety of food and drink options, including cocktail bars, speciality food vendors as well as increased

emphasis on onsite camping activities, including an onsite sports arena to host 5-aside football tournament, yoga, zumba and more.

“We are entering into a new and exciting phase for the festival. This is truly a cutting edge lineup. Our attention now turns to putting on memorable festival experience within the rolling hills of Waiohika Estate.” said festival founder Hamish Pinkham.

FULL LINE UP

The full first announcement line up for Rhythm and Vines 2016 is as follows: Chance the Rapper, ZHU, RÜFÜS, Wilkinson DJ, Netsky DJ, Goldlink, Denzel Curry, Getter, Dusky, Skream, Hot Chip DJ, AC Slater, S.P.Y, Savage, The Jordan Luck Band, P Money, Sachi, Yoko-Zuna, Pacific Heights, Anna Coddington, Three Houses Down, Bailey Wiley, Eno x Dirty, Montell2099, Stack & Piece. 

MAJESTICAL MARKETING CAMPAIGN WINS TOP AWARD

The box-office smashing marketing campaign for Hunt for the Wilderpeople has won the gong for Best Independent Distributor Marketing campaign at the annual NZ Motion Picture Industry Council awards.

Bringing together marketing and creative agencies from across the country distributors Madman Entertainment and producers Piki Films worked with Philippa Atkinson and Devon Roberts of Mediaworkshop (Media Strategy), Anna Dean of Double Denim (Digital and Sponsorship Strategy) and 818 Entertainment (Publicity) to create an all-encompassing consumer campaign. The levels of engagement across both audiences and channels reached levels never seen before for a local title.

“The Madman team are absolutely thrilled to be recognised by the industry for the immense team effort that has gone into the marketing of this film,” says Mark Chamberlain, Theatrical Sales Manager at Madman Entertainment. “The collaboration between Madman and Piki and the talents of 818 Entertainment, Mediaworkshop and Double Denim created a campaign that has really got into the hearts and minds of everyday Kiwis and in return delivered an exceptional box office result.”

This award marks the second time for many of the team who also took out this prestigious award in 2015 for their work on Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s vampire mockumentary, What We Do In The Shadows (2014).

New Zealanders were quick to engage with the inclusive and distinctly kiwi campaign for Hunt for the Wilderpeople which included a gala premiere simulcast from Auckland and held in 42 regional locations around the country on the same night, as well as a nationwide cinema tour with children invited to dress as #nzbush to meet the film’s star Julian Dennison.

The digital content marketing strategy created a large amount of bespoke content in collaboration with partners, iconic kiwi brands such as Air New Zealand, Trade Me, Tuatara and government departments including the Department of Conservation, Tourism NZ and the New Zealand Defence Force. This led to high online exposure and engagement in the lead up to release.

The infectious spirit of film’s stars Julian Dennison and Sam Neill as well as director Taika Waititi lead to an unprecedented level of press engagement across the film’s release. The brilliant rapport between the trio lead to front page media coverage across Print, Radio and TV culminating with a glitzing ‘green’ carpet premiere at Hoyts Sylvia Park which was covered by outlets from across all mediums.

A partnership with the NZ Motion Picture Exhibitors Association (NZMPEA) saw the successful launch of the My Cinema platform. Independent My Cinema exhibitors were invovled in nationwide premieres along with a competition to win a family holiday. 33 cinemas took part in the promotion leading to a lift in the independents share of the box-office to 42%, a figure well above the 30% average.

The media strategy had a strong focus on impact over frequency to achieve scale as well as complementing already existing editorial coverage insured the campaign was never far from top of mind for the target audience. Focusing on varying ways to introduce the characters and the position the film as an entertaining and fun NZ action/comedy, a multifaceted TV, Digital, Radio and Outdoor campaign was used. A charity partnership with Foster Hope complimented the film's social messages.

A hilarious tralier was created by Tom Eagles, Kaye-Maree & Mita Dunn at ‘Making things Acheiveable’ ran the grass roots campaign and The Luminary Promotions Group provided support around the Auckland premiere and cinema tour.

“This film was made for all kiwis so it was important everyone felt included from day one of its release,” says Carthew Neal, producer and distributor. “We worked closely with exhibitors across the country to create a nationwide community of local advocates. We wanted to do things a little bit differently, and asked everyone to go the extra mile to ensure the campaign matched the quality of the film. The team were agile and extremely hard working. It was a challenging but rewarding experience as a first time distirbutor and I am incredibly proud of the team behind the film and its release.”

The film broke box office records with a record opening weekend take of over $1.2M with the Saturday recording the highest single day for a local film of $528,000. Key engagement with

exhibitors around the country ensured the collaborative and community feel of the campaign translated right to consumers with this engagement proving a huge success with the film continuing to play sessions in close to 100 screens around the country in its 12th week of release and has pulled in a local box office of over $11 million dollars.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople was also awarded the Flicks Critics Choice Award for best NZ Film 2016 at at the gala dinner. 

‘THE REHEARSAL’ TO PREMIERE AT NZIFF

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: 

The theatrical trailer of The Rehearsal, Alison Maclean’s vibrant screen adaptation of Eleanor Catton’s debut novel has been released online.

The Rehearsal will have its world premiere at the Civic Theatre on July 23rd as the centerpiece of the New Zealand International Film Festival. Staring James Rolleston, Kerry Fox, Alice Englert and Marlon Williams, The Rehearsal tells the story of Stanley (Rolleston), a naïve 1st year drama student who seeks to impress his charismatic tutor, Hannah (Fox). When Stanley’s group hits on a sex scandal involving his young girlfriend, Isolde (Edward) as the inspiration for their end-of-year show, Stanley finds himself in morally tricky territory.

The Rehearsal is directed by Alison Maclean and is adapted from the novel by Man Booker award-winner Eleanor Catton. The script was written by Maclean alongside award winning writer Emily Perkins.

Maclean is looking forward to premiering the film to a local audience. 

"I’m thrilled to be premiering The Rehearsal at the New Zealand International Film Festival. While we know the film has international appeal, it’s a New Zealand film through and through and I can’t wait to show it first to a local audience." 

New Zealand International Film Festival director Bill Gosden says they are thrilled to present a film that brings together "enough talent to constitute a real-world new wave".

"Like the novel, the film is as attentive to the misleading effect youthful nerve can have on the 'mature', as it is to the crises the teachers so blithely incite in the taught. It's also its own sharp, original thing, alive with ambiguity and cinematic verve."

Tickets to the world premiere will be on sale now from Friday 24th June. Following the Auckland world premiere, The Rehearsal will play further NZIFF screenings in Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin before a nationwide theatrical release in late August.  

KIWI DRAMA ‘FILTHY RICH’ SOLD TO STREAMING GIANT HULU

The addictive hit Kiwi television series Filthy Rich will soon be available to over 12 million American viewers, with the show’s first season sold to US streaming giant Hulu.

The debut production from Filthy Productions, Filthy Rich, is a 20-episode, one-hour serial drama centered on three illegitimate children who discover they each have a claim to the fortune of one of New Zealand’s wealthiest men.

Created by writers Rachel Lang and Gavin Strawhan, and produced by Steven Zanoski, Filthy Rich recently finished a strong season on TV2, with the show winning its time slot in the key 18-49 demographic, and proving a breakout hit on TVNZ OnDemand.

“High-stakes drama storytelling, teamed with equally high production values, make Filthy Rich attractive as a world class property,” says producer Steven Zanoski.

“It sits comfortably alongside international series but with a definite Kiwi attitude, tackling racial and gender politics, placing a Maori woman at the top of a multi- national company. This snapshot of a contemporary yet heightened New Zealand lifestyle is likely to have broad appeal overseas.”

TVNZ’s General Manager of Commissioning, Production and Acquisitions Andrew Shaw has lent his support to the show’s success in selling abroad.

“We are really pleased with the performance of Filthy Rich on-air and online. It is a groundbreaking series, and proves again that compelling stories with engaging characters can win the loyalty of the audience,” says Shaw.

“We are delighted that international audiences will get to enjoy this wonderful New Zealand drama. It is a credit to everyone involved in its creation and distribution.”

Jane Wrightson, CEO of NZ On Air, adds, “We know that New Zealand makes world- quality dramas. While NZ On Air’s focus is on serving local audiences, we are always delighted when funded content succeeds internationally. It takes New Zealand to the world and brings in international revenue.”

It was also confirmed today that the show will screen across the ditch on Australia’s Channel Nine. Both international sales of the series were negotiated by international sales agent, Creative Arts Agency (CAA).

Following on from the international success of Filthy Rich, Filthy Productions’ second offering, Dirty Laundry, will complete principal photography this week, and is set to air on TVNZ later this year. 

HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE A BOX OFFICE SMASH

Taika Waititi’s adventure comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople has broken New Zealand box office records by opening with largest opening weekend ever for a New Zealand film with a box office take of $1,300,000 NZD.

“We’ve bet BOY’s opening weekend box office which made me kind of sad. But then I got over it really quick and now I’m stoked!” says director Taika Waititi. “There’s nothing like seeing a film the way it was meant to be seen; on a giant screen with other people and we couldn’t be more proud and happy that kiwis are heading along and all our hard work is being appreciated. Thank you New Zealand!”

Alongside breaking the record for the biggest opening weekend (Previously held by Ian Mune’s What Becomes of the Broken Hearted), the film has also taken the record for the single highest grossing day for a NZ film with the film taking over $528,000 on Saturday April 2nd.

“We’ve had reports of cinemas sold out across the country, theatres full of applause and people seeing the film three or fours times already,” says co-distributors from Piki Films, Carthew Neal and Leanne Saunders. "We are blown away by this level of support and thank everyone for coming out on the weekend. This film is being seen in the way it was intended - on the big screen with whanau and friends.”

Mark Chamberlain, Theatrical Sales Manager at Madman Entertainment NZ is humbled by the support that New Zealand has shown to the picture.

“It has been so humbling to see how everyone in NZ has embraced the film all the way from Kaitaia to Invercargill. With the way the film is tracking its already set to be a kiwi classic”

 Head of the NZ Film Commission Dave Gibson was quick to send his congratulations to Taika and the Wilderpeople Team.

“Congratulations to the Wilderpeople team for a great opening weekend. We’re seeing groups of people of all ages -sharing the experience and coming out for this film. It’s good for everyone, especially the film industry.” 

NEXT GENERATION BLONDINI GANG ANNOUNCED

The next generation of “Blondini Gang” have been announced today.

Dean O’Gorman (The Hobbit, The Almighty Johnsons) James Rolleston (Boy, The Dark Horse) and Ashleigh Cummings (Puberty Blues, Tomorrow when the War Began) will star in Pork Pie – the modern reboot of the 1979 kiwi classic Goodbye Pork Pie.

O’Gorman, who most recently played Kirk Douglas in Hollywood bio-pic, Trumbo, is thrilled to be returning home from Los Angeles to take the lead role of struggling writer turned accidental outlaw, Jon Hardy.

“Its brilliant to be able to come back to NZ to play this role,” say O’Gorman. “As a child of the 80’s, this film was one I remember well. I am excited to work with the team to create a film that plays homage to the original while introducing the younger generation to this great kiwi tale."

Much loved 19-year-old local star, James Rolleston has been undergoing intensive precision driving training as part of his preparation for the character, fearless wheel man, Luke Anahera.

“Playing Luke is a dream opportunity for me…I’m love the script and the character and am looking forward to some of the exciting action too!” 

Ashleigh Cummings, playing the vivacious and passionate, Keira Leigh-Jones, completes the lead cast. Cummings received rave reviews and multiple award nominations for her leading role in the hit series Puberty Blues and for her co-starring role in Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. Ashleigh will next be seen in the upcoming Aussie film, Hounds of Love.

James Rolleston (Luke) and Ashleigh Cummings (Kiera) with the new Pork Pie MINI. Photo Credit Mark Westerby. (DOWNLOAD THIS IMAGE HERE)

Director Matt Murphy had this to say about the finalised cast.

“I couldn’t be more delighted with the line up. They’re three unique personalities and very exciting acting talent. There’s going to be a fun and very dynamic onscreen chemistry bouncing around the MINI” 

The fourth star of the film is the 4 cylinder twin-power turbo MINI 3 Door Hatch - Cooper S, providing an injection of grunt and power to the wild action and chase sequences planned for the reboot. 

Pork Pie is being produced by Tom Hern (The Dark Horse) and Four Knights Film in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, NZOnAir, Random Films, Augusto, Park Road Post Production, Treehouse Films and Southern Light Films.

Hern is equally pleased about the cast they’ve assembled.

“I loved working with James on The Dark Horse so its exciting to have him on another of our projects and Dean and Ashleigh are darn talented too. Our Blondini Gang will be pretty bloody awesome I reckon.”

Timothy White, Tim Wood and Alan Harris are the films Executive Producers. 

Studiocanal will distribute the film in New Zealand and Australia.  They have a wide New Zealand release set for the Summer of 2016/17.

To download key images of the Pork Pie cast click HERE:

TYLER OAKLEY & JAMIE CURRY TO HEADLINE #AMPLIFYLIVE 2016

The Internets biggest and brightest social media talents including Tyler Oakley, Jamie Curry, Kian + JC plus more are set to perform live for Kiwi fans when #AmplifyLIVE 2016, the festival for the connected generation, hits Auckland and Wellington this April.

In partnership with Rimmel London, #AmplifyLIVE hits Auckland’s Bruce Mason Theatre on Saturday 16th April before movinh to Wellingtons St James Theatre on April 17th. This incredible festival promises audiences a once in a lifetime opportunity for an intimate experience with their idols.

Award-winning #AmplifyLIVE headliner, Tyler Oakley, has been established as one of the most well renowned LGBTQ+ creators on the planet - by TIME Magazine as one of the 30 Most Influential People on the Internet - and by his more than 22 million followers across his platforms, including 8 million on his home of YouTube. Tyler’s passion for hilarious, engaging, and unapologetically personal storytelling isn’t limited to YouTube - in 2015 alone his award-winning podcast Psychobabble reached #1 on the iTunes store, he’s sold out 30 stops of his international Slumber Party themed tour, embarked on 20 stops for his international book tour for his honest New York Times topping memoir BINGE and released a no-holes-barred behind the scenes documentary called SNERVOUS.

With a combined following of 80 MILLION across YouTube, Instagram, Vine, Tumblr, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter, these unique creators personify a new wave of artists who are more passionately engaged with their devoted audience than ever before. #AmplifyLIVE by Rimmel London will be the biggest chance their Kiwi fans can possibly get for a one-on-one meet and greet opportunity with their idols and the chance to see them up close and personal in a live stage show.

Tom Maynard, creator of AMPLIFY, said today: “We’re ecstatic to bring #AmplifyLIVE to NZ for the first time. Amplify is one of the only brands that allows youth across NZ and Australia to get up close and personal with their heroes and we cant wait to share this with Kiwi audiences.”

Nic Kelly, Executive Producer and Host of AMPLIFY’s flagship daily content series #AmplifyNOW, said today: “The way #AmplifyLIVE captivated the connected generation in Australia in 2015 was incredible. The show was a laugh-out-loud, no boring bits spectacular and we can’t wait to bring this incredible experience to Kiwis in 2016.”

Tickets for AMPLIFY LIVE 2016 are on sale now HERE:

Connect with AMPLIFY:

TWITTER   •    FACEBOOK   •   INSTAGRAM   •   YOUTUBE   •

#AmplifyLIVE

MORE ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

TYLER OAKLEY (USA) - https://www.youtube.com/user/tyleroakley

JC CAYLEN (USA) - https://www.youtube.com/user/lifewithJc

KIAN LAWLEY (USA) - https://www.youtube.com/user/superkian13

JAMIE CURRY of JAMIE’S WORLD (NZ) - https://www.youtube.com/user/theJamiesWorld

ANDREA RUSSETT (USA) - https://www.youtube.com/user/GETTOxFABxFOREVER

TYDE LEVI (Perth) - https://www.youtube.com/user/tydelevi

TREVOR MORAN (USA) - https://www.youtube.com/user/iTr3vor

KURT COLEMAN (AUS) - https://www.youtube.com/user/CountessMox

ORPHANS AND KINGDOMS TO GET NZ THEATRICAL RELEASE

Kiwi audiences will have the chance to see the award-winning local feature film Orphans and Kingdoms when it opens in selected cinemas across New Zealand on April 14th 2016.

The debut feature from writer/director Paolo Rotondo, Orphans and Kingdoms tells the story of a wealthy business man (Colin Moy) who is attacked by three desperate kids in his luxurious Waiheke Island home. Over the course of a tense night the tables are turned and an unlikely bond begins to grow between attackers and victim. When dawn comes, so too does the law and the four of them find themselves on the run together.

Staring Colin Moy (In My Fathers Den, Deathgasm, The Most Fun You Can Have Dying) alongside acting newcomers Calae Hignett-Morgan, Hanelle Harris andJesse-James Rehu Pickery, Orphans and Kingdoms was funded as part of the New Zealand Film Commissions ‘Escalator’ micro-budget Program. With additional support from Random Films, Flying Fish, crowd funding and a large group of sponsors including Sealink and Jucy Rentals the film was shot entirely on location on the picturesque Waiheke Island in the winter of 2013. The film premiered to a sold out crowd at the New Zealand Film Festival and continues to play at festivals around the world. Across its festival run the film has won numerous awards including best feature film at the Anchorage International Film Festival, a silver medal at the Global Music Awards and best editor at the NZ Film Awards.

“We’ve made a kiwi film that is moving people around the world,” says writer/director Paolo Rotando. “I can’t wait to now share it with our own audiences.”

Producer Fraser Brown is quick to praise the community effort that went into getting the film made.

“This film is the result of the most amazing team effort, with support from communities all over New Zealand. To finally be able to share it with those communities is very exciting”

To celebrate the announcement of the local release the official theatrical trailer for the feature has also been released. This trailer can be viewed HERE or for a download link please click HERE.

Ahead of the films nationwide theatrical run a gala screening of the film will be held at Auckland’s Civic Theatre on Tuesday April 5th. Limited tickets for this event will be made available to the public and more information will be released on this in the coming weeks.

For all media enquires please contact:

Chris Henry                                     

818 ENTERTAINMENT                   

chris@818entertainment.co.nz            

+64 21 670 604                             

Emily Crowther

818 ENTERTAINMENT

emily@818entertainment.co.nz

+64 21 101 2046

FIRST LOOK AT TAIKA WAITITI'S 'HUNT FOR THE WILDERPEOPLE' RELEASED ONLINE

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE TEASER VIDEO

New Zealand audiences get their first look at Taika Waititi’s new feature film Hunt for the Wilderpeople today with the release of the films first teaser video.

This teaser introduces audiences to ‘real bad egg’ foster kid Ricky Baker played by Julian Dennison and his cantankerous Uncle Hec played by acting icon Sam Neill.  Local acting heavyweights Rhys Darby, Rima Te Wiata, Rachel House and Oscar Kightley star alongside Dennison and Neill in this loveable adventure comedy due for cinema release across New Zealand on March 31st 2016.

Based on the best selling book ‘Wild Pork and Watercress’ by kiwi literary legend Barry Crump, Hunt for the Wilderpeople tells the story of Ricky (Dennison), a defiant young city kid who finds himself on the run with his foster uncle (Neill) in the wild New Zealand bush. A national manhunt ensues, and the two are forced to put aside their differences and work together to survive in this hilarious and heartfelt adventure.

The release of the teaser video is fresh off the back of a sell-out international premiere at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival which has herald rave reviews from industry bibles Screen Daily, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.

Director Taika Waititi was thrilled by the reaction to the films premiere,

"We knew we had something special with Sam and Julian and were happy the audience felt the same way."

Producer Carthew Neal adds,

"The audience were in the palm of Taika, Sam, Julian and the rest of the cast’s hands. Laughing riotously and probably the odd tear too."

The embed code for the teaser to be hosted online can be found BELOW:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4WJKigD1t-c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> 

DAVID FARRIER’S DOCUMENTARY ‘TICKLED’ TO GET SUNDANCE PREMIERE

Kiwi documentary Tickled will receive its worldwide premiere in the World Documentary Competition of the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in January.
 
Probing into the bizarre world of Competitive Endurance Tickling, Tickled follows journalist David Farrier as tries to understand this strange and secretive world. Facing fierce resistance on his quest for answers, David and his team take their questions to the USA in attempt to get to the bottom of a story stranger than fiction.
 
“Out of the all the stories I've done it is by far the biggest - and definitely the strangest,” says Farrier. "Sundance is the dream festival for this film - I’ve watched so many great Sundance films as a journalist and can’t believe we’re taking Tickled there. On top of that Robert Redford is there every year as the founder of Sundance. My mum is freaking out - she loves Robert Redford."
 
Tickled has already drawn attention from all corners of the world including international comedian Stephen Fry.
 
“When I first heard about Tickled I was intrigued by the idea of tickling being, perhaps, a competitive sport,” says Fry. “But then to discover that the film is about something much more. It’s a suspense movie - and quite heart-in-mouth.”
 
Co-Director Dylan Reeve joined Farrier to investigate the strange origins of Competitive Tickling as soon as he learned of the bizarre story.
 
“When I saw the weird messages David was getting from the organisers of Competitive Endurance Tickling I knew there was something crazy going on,” says Reeve. “Once we started digging a bit deeper I could see it was a story we needed to tell, and a documentary seemed like the best way.”
 
The film’s producer, Carthew Neal, will also be taking Taika Waititi’s adventure comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople to the 2016 Sundance Festival.
 
“It’s incredible to have two very different films premiering at such a prestigious festival and a privilege to work alongside such talented New Zealand filmmakers.” says Neal.
 
The film was financed by the New Zealand Film Commission and MPI Media Group. North American Sales are handled by Submarine and Rest of World by MPI. The film has pre-sold to Vendetta Films in Australia and New Zealand.
 

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For all media enquires please contact:
 
Chris Henry
818 ENTERTAINMENT
chris@818entertainment.co.nz
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