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Audience Choice Awards Winners Announced

Audience Choice Awards Winners Announced
Director Mika X's film Gurl wins the inaugural Ngā Whanaunga CineMāori Audience Award

Drum roll please ... announcing the winners of the Audience Choice awards for New Zealand’s Best and Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts.

The winner of the New Zealand’s Best Audience Choice Award is Daddy’s Girl (Kōtiro). Director Cian Elyse White will receive 25 per cent of the box office from the online screenings.

The winner of the Ngā Whanaunga CineMāori Audience Award is Gurl. Director Mika X receives the $1,000 cash award sponsored by CineMāori, the new online platform for Māori cinema.

The Audience Choice awards were decided by the combined votes from audiences at the in-cinema screenings at ASB Waterfront Theatre in Auckland, The Roxy Cinema in Wellington, and online audiences.

Previously announced were the winners of the jury prizes in New Zealand’s Best and Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts.

In New Zealand’s Best, the Creative New Zealand Jury Prize for Best New Zealand Short Film was awarded to Oranges & Lemons. Director Robyn Grace receives a cash prize of $4,000. The Madman Entertainment Emerging Talent Award was awarded to Daniel. Director Claire van Beek receives a cash prize of $2,000.

The Wellington UNESCO City of Film Award for Best Film in Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts is Money Honey. Director Isaac Knights-Washbourn receives a cash prize of $3,000. This year is the first year the Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts has been a competitive section of the festival.

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