Thanks to guest writer Debbie Bennett for this article.
Apex Academy of Performing Arts hosted its second annual red carpet event, showcasing the hard work of students’ short films at United Cinemas Bayfair. The films were a product of the Apex Academy Film Accelerator programme (supported by the Creative Communities Scheme). A handful of guest films were also shown.
The academy’s actors, film makers and guests sparkled on a red carpet before watching their short films on the evening of 10 December, 2022.
The broad corridor inside the cinema was transformed in red carpet Hollywood style. Professionally lit posters introducing the films lined the walls of the cinema’s opulent corridor, beneath the domed ceiling’s changing colours.
A wide variety of guests’ short films kickstarted the event. Stories ranged from of a boy fantasising about being a cowboy to a man’s experience of writers block. An award winning film Taiao was also shown with breath-taking Aotearoa scenery. Taiao was “part of a sustainability-focused web series by New Zealand’s emerging filmmakers” (sunlive.co.nz).
Films from the students of Apex Academy followed. Prodigy was an emotionally charged story about an anxious young woman who encounters an old friend. Icosa.Head told a suspenseful tale of a young student seeking unconventional advice from an eccentric female gangster. The Seed is a story of a girl failing at gardening who gets a startling lesson from a female gardener being, who represents her higher self.
A horror film concluded the student films; A Taste of Strawberry by Serbian cinematographer/film director Luka Tomic. His film was one of ten winning films for New Zealand’s largest sustainability-themed competition, The Someday Challenge.
The night concluded with a powerful drama ten minute documentary Motherhood the Grey Zone, by independent film director/actor/musician Esraa Muse. It is based on a true story. It explores thoughts and feelings of coming to terms with being a mother.
Between film screenings, there were question and answer sessions in the private theatre with panels of film makers and actors. Apex Creative Director Harry Oram gave insight about the academy and acknowledged the effort of all involved in the films.
The Apex Academy of Performing Arts was founded by Mauricio Bustamante and Harry Oram.
Oram is a professional actor and film producer who came to New Zealand in 2020. He studied at the esteemed Lee Strasberg Institute in New York. Oram and Executive Director Elizabeth Montesena were presented the 2022 Film Bay of Plenty Contribution to the Local Industry Award on the night.
Oram has a passion for giving opportunity to actors, writers and film makers to develop their craft.
For Apex Academy courses, click here.
From left: Luke Tomic, Joanne Melbourne, Harry Oram, Elizabeth Montesena
