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Stories Explode at Youth Film and Theatre Festival

Young performers and filmmakers will compete for supremacy at the Phase 1 Youth Theatre and Film Festival in West Auckland on Saturday 31 August at Corban Estate Arts Centre, as part of this year’s Going West Books and Writers’ Festival.

“We never know how important our voice is until it is taken away from us” says Lavinia ‘Uhila, a Ranui based actress, who is currently preparing for her debut as director of a collaborative theatre piece that explores how domestic violence affects women. “Our play focuses on bringing hope and encouragement to women and daughters going through any struggle, to speak out about injustice” continues ‘Uhila. 

Lavinia ‘Uhila (25), graduated from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA) in 2009. Among her successes since graduating, have been her performances as a soloist in Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park 2011 and in the lead role in Sinarella, a joint production between the Auckland Theatre Company and the Pacific Institute of Performing Arts.
Actor Jason Wu (22), a graduate of Unitec’s Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts, will premiere a short documentary about the formation of a new band, Midnight Trips, and the skyrocketing success of its music on local radio. He will also act in a theatre piece about men discovering and coming to realise the effects of their violent behaviour on their families and themselves.

Wu, is perhaps best known for his lead role in Michael Bennett’s award-winning feature film, Matariki (2010). Since graduating from Unitec in 2012, he has performed in Titus at Q Theatre and in Te Manawa at Corban Estate Arts Centre. 

The Phase 1 festival, only in its third year, is shaping up to include the highest standard of original theatre and film-making seen yet at the festival, and is funded once again by Creative Communities. “This year’s event offers a fresh platform for many young people with undiscovered talents, to take their creative energy to the stage and onto film” says Jay Williams, Director Phoenix Performing Arts, based at Corban Estate. 

Film and play entries are expected both from teams of young participants connected to Phoenix, as well as teams from several local high schools. These will be judged for their originality, script and overall production, by leading directors and scriptwriters from the film and theatre industries at the festival’s ‘heat nights’ on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th August. The judges top choices will compete for the glory of the supreme award at the Phase 1 Gala Night on Saturday 31st August. All the performances and film showings begin at 7pm and take place in Shed 1, Corban Estate Arts Centre. Further information and bookings can be made at info@ceac.org.nz or by phoning 838 4455. 

For further information please contact: Patricia Aguilera | Marketing and Communication Manager Corban Estate Arts Centre | p. +64 (09) 8384455 ext. 208 | e. patricia@ceac.org.nz | w. www.ceac.org.nz. 

PHASE 1

A 3-day festival of original short plays and films by young writers, film-makers, directors and actors.

FILM HEAT NIGHT
Thursday 29 August, 7pm
Shed 1, Corban Estate Arts Centre
All films accepted into the festival will be shown and a panel of judges from the film industry will select the best to be presented at the Gala Night.
Entry: $10 (EFTPOS & cash door sales only)

PLAYS HEAT NIGHT
Friday 30 August, 7pm
Shed 1, Corban Estate Arts Centre
All plays accepted into the festival will be performed and a panel of judges from the theatre industry will select the best to be presented at the Gala Night.
Entry: $10 (EFTPOS & cash door sales only)

FILMS & PLAYS GALA NIGHT
Saturday 31 August, 7pm
Shed 1, Corban Estate Arts Centre
The best works as selected by the judges in the preceding nights will be presented and a Supreme Award will be awarded by a panel of judges.
Entry: $20 (Tickets include a light supper. Limited seating, so pre-bookings advised. Limited door sales available. Cash bar. EFTPOS & cash door sales only)

[Note: Some content in the festival programme may offend some people. Parental guidance is recommended. Not suitable for those under 15]

More info:
www.ceac.org.nz
info@ceac.org.nz

ABOUT CORBAN ESTATE ARTS CENTRE
The Corban Estate Arts Centre is located at the historic Corban Winery Estate in Henderson, Auckland. The arts centre utilizes the historic winery buildings and is home to galleries which feature a changing programme of exhibitions, as well as a café, gallery shop, and artist’s studios. CEAC also offers a wide range of arts and cultural events and education programmes, including art classes for adults and children and a schools education programme. The Centre is open 7 days a week, 10.00am – 4.30pm. 

ABOUT PHOENIX
Phoenix NZYP is a youth performing arts company, based at Corban Estate Arts Centre. Phoenix takes a holistic approach to performance, beginning with shared stories which form the themes that are crafted into original drama and music pieces. Through participating in this creative process, young people learn more about the world in which they live. The company is renowned for its innovative performances which do not shy away from strong themes that are renowned for moving audiences.

ABOUT GOING WEST BOOKS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL
Now in its 18th year, this festival celebrates all that is inspiring, challenging and unexpected in the words of our New Zealand writers and performers. As well as the Phase 1 Festival, Going West includes a theatre season with Auckland Theatre Company, a Poetry Slam and the key event, the Books and Writers’ Weekend.