Night Shift by Curious Film’s Zia Mandviwalla headed for Cannes
A short film by New Zealand director Zia Mandviwalla has been selected for the 2012 Cannes Film Festival.
Mandviwalla is from the Curious Film stable of directors.
Night Shift is her third short film, with previous work screening around the world.
She also directed commercial work for Vodafone, fertility clinic Genea, and SkyTV.
Night Shift tells the story of Salote, an airport cleaner who tries not to draw attention to herself while also picking up what others leave behind. The story takes place over one night as Salote struggles to find her way home.
Of her selection, Mandviwalla said: “The news that we were selected to screen in competition at Cannes took me completely by surprise. I am so very honoured and excited to represent New Zealand this year at this incredible and prestigious film festival! Night Shift wouldn’t be the film that it is without the support and hard work of an exceptional cast and crew. This achievement is something I share with everyone who worked on the film.”
Matt Noonan and Chelsea Winstanley of Curious produced the film.
Noonan told Encore: “I’m extremely pleased for her. She’s an exceptionally talented writer and director and definitely one to watch.”
“It’s a beautiful film that I’m very proud to be involved with, I can’t speak highly enough of Zia and the rest of her crew, I’m excited to be part of the team representing NZ in competition at the French Festival in 2012.”
The news follows the announcement Australian short film Yardstick by director Michael Spiccia of Good Oil Films will also head to Cannes.
Manviwalla was born in India and immigrated to New Zealand in 1996. She won the Screen Production & Development Association New Zealand New Film-maker of the Year Award in 2009.
Cannes Film Festival is set to announce the full line up of films later today from Cannes.
