A new beginning for the Waikato Film Hub

A new name means a new beginning for the Waikato Film Hub.

For about 10 years it’s been called the Hamilton Film Makers Network and the popularity has depended on whoever has been running it at the time, says new co-ordinator Paige Larianova. 

“I took over the admin of it about eight months ago. I wanted as many people as possible to get involved with it so we’ve had focus groups and workshops and from that we’ve ended up re-naming it to the Waikato Film Hub.” 

She said the change of name was partly to make the hub fall in line with funding, but the main reason was because Hamilton was just a little pocket in a big region. 

“You drive 10 minutes one way and you’re out of Hamilton. There are people living throughout the region who are involved in the film industry – for some it’s their main job – but they travel to Auckland to where the productions are because there’s nothing happening in the Waikato.” 

Since joining the hub Paige has started to put things in motion; putting together an interim board of trustees was the first step. 

“Now we are at the stage where we are getting more workshops and events going so people can network more, because there are really talented people all around the region that haven’t met. 

“It’s also a great place to share success. People who have had success with their films are able to mentor the next generation.” 

She said the hub had received funding through the government’s Creative Community Scheme administered by Creative Waikato. 

“Our first lot of funding is being used to host a showcase of short films that have been successful, ones that have made it to international film festivals. 

“We want to showcase them here because often short films will do a big festival internationally and win amazing awards, but the people in the region they are made in or where the director is from don’t get to see them. 

“We need to show people what we can actually do. The films we are showing are either filmed somewhere in the Waikato or the crew or producer or director are from the Waikato,” she said. 

The event is called Misty Flicks and will be held at Hamilton’s Lido Cinema on November 8. Paige said tickets would be priced between $10-$15 and it would cost an extra $5 to go to the Q&A session afterwards. 

She said they would show short films from film makers who had won Tropfest New Zealand. Tropfest is the world's largest short film festival. It has also become known as the world's first global film festival.  

“We’ve also got a couple of film makers who’ve had shows on Netflix, as well as a short film from one of the directors of Westies, which is filmed in Auckland. 

“There are thousands of people who we’d like to reach, we know they are out there.” 

She said their website would be launching next year, thanks to Creative Good.  

Paige is passionate about film and has a strong background in the subject, starting with her Bachelor of Media Arts from Wintec.  

“It was the best decision of my life [to enrol in the Bachelor of Media Arts]. I did my honours degree, but during that full-time study I jumped on any short film that was happening. That’s when I started with TEDx Ruakura. In my third year at Wintec I was director of all the live switching for music for students’ presentations and any events we had. That’s what I ended up doing at TEDx when I finished study.” 

Paige said she loved living in the Waikato, but she felt it seemed under represented. 

“I could go and work in Wellington or Auckland and be in the film industry, but I don’t want to. I want it to be something that happens here. We have all this space, we have an international airport close by – we’re not that far from Auckland, and our scenery is incredible and so I thought, let’s get something started. And that’s what I did.” 

As well as the Waikato Film Hub, Paige is hoping to start up Waikato’s first film office. 

“We are one of the only regions in New Zealand that doesn’t have a film office. Bay of Plenty Film are really proactive and they’ve been helping me look into setting it up. 

“They’ve brought location scouts out from LA and with the backing of New Zealand Film Commission they’ve flown them around the area. What we need to do is make some contacts and start talking about a film office here. 

“We need all the councils to be on board with it and get some funding. It’s a joint council thing, because it’s for the whole of the Waikato. 

“I’m learning as I’m going. It’s just finding those contacts and getting the right mentorship, but I believe it’s a great region and it needs a film hub and office to show it off.”

Photo: (Left to right) Waikato Film Hub organisers Rod Petsef, Paige Larianova and Kelly Fritz. Photo/Felicity Jane

The first five chosen films that will be at Misty Flicks are: 

Serve and Protect (2013) Comedy Directed by Ben Woollen and produced by Scott Granville.
Serve & Protect is the story of Darryl Kitchen (Roy Snow), loveable but odd rural policeman patrolling the community of Caldwell. When mysterious crates appear around the Bailey Farm, Darryl has to summon all his strength to chase down a sneaky bandit and bring him to justice.  

Stick To Your Gun (2016) Horror/SciFi/Thriller/Animation/Comedy Joe Hitchcock - Writer/Director/Animator.
A gun-loving woman aspires to cook breakfast for the man handcuffed to her bed, but first she has to stop a wild chicken from destroying everything. 

The Anniversary (2013) Drama Mary & Sash Rinaldi (husband and wife combo co-talent for below roles) Writer/Director/Actor/Producer. 
Connection and hope in the face of grief. 

Only Humane (2016) Comedy/Drama Chris Hanlon Producer, Adam Harvey Director/Writer.
Fed up at continually putting animals to sleep, a rural vet accidentally runs over a dog, starting a chain of events that challenges his skills and gives him a chance to prove that he's more than just an angel of death. 

Break in the Weather (2016) Drama Aidee Walker Director - From Hamilton (now directs Westies) and Alexander Gander Producer.
The film is about betrayal and forgiveness, and how one huge event in our protagonist's life has left a lasting and seemingly insurmountable impact. We wanted to ask the question: when is it right to forgive? 

The complete line up of films will be released next week, for more information check out the Waikato Film Hub’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WaikatoFilmHub/ or the website: https://www.mistyflicks.co.nz