A short film about New Zealand has given one young film-maker his ‘Big Break’.

The film ‘Working Day’ by Andres Borghi from Argentina was selected by New Zealand film legend Sir Peter Jackson as the winner of Tourism New Zealand’s 100% Pure ‘Your Big Break’ short film competition.

The winner has just been announced in the US, with the film screened to viewers of the 25^th Film Independent Spirit Awards, the premier independent film event in the US.

Andres Borghi was one of five finalists in the short film competition that travelled to Queenstown last month to direct their films alongside Lord of the Rings producer Barrie Osborne.

Sir Peter Jackson said: “The standard of all five films was very high. Any of them deserved to win, but it came down to personal choice. [Working Day] stood out as a fresh and original piece of storytelling. This was an extremely accomplished piece and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for Andres’ future work.”

“100% Pure New Zealand jump started my work and career,” says Andres Borghi, who also acted in his film. “I also thank Peter and Barrie for helping me polish my work and gain international exposure.”

Borghi and the other finalists – two Americans and two New Zealanders – were selected from a pool of over 1,000 screenplays submitted between 9 December 2009 and 15 January 2010.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive Kevin Bowler said interest in the competition exceeded expectations, with the competition website – www.your-big-break.com – attracting 18,000 votes and 2.5 million video views in the first phase of the competition.

“This campaign has generated a huge amount of interest from the film community both here and internationally, and was extremely successful in terms of both the number of entries received and website views.

“The involvement of industry heavy-weights Sir Peter Jackson and Barrie Osborne helped attract attention in the US, which can be a challenging market to get our 100% Pure New Zealand message across in.

“This competition has not just created ‘talkability’ around New Zealand, it has also given us five excellent short films that capture New Zealand’s scenery, our people and culture which will be seen around the world.”

The five winning films were shown on the Independent Film Channel (IFC) and to around 1,800 celebrities, media and film industry professionals in the 100% Pure New Zealand lounge at the Spirit Awards ceremony.

Television advertising on IFC and Sundance over the last month has helped drive awareness of the competition, and is expected to increase viewership of the Spirit Awards and the winning film.

Engagement through social media websites has also been strong, with over 1,400 fans following developments through Facebook and the ‘Your Big Break’ blog.

A follow-up online campaign will run from Monday 8 March, encouraging film-lovers to book their New Zealand holiday now.

Academy Award winner George Clooney stars in the title role of this suspense thriller, filmed on location in Italy.

Alone among assassins, Jack (played by Mr. Clooney) is a master craftsman. When a job in

Sweden ends more harshly than expected for this American abroad, he vows to his contact Larry (Bruce Altman) that his next assignment will be his last. Jack reports to the Italian countryside, where he holes up in a small town and relishes being away from death for a spell.

The assignment, as specified by a Belgian woman, Mathilde (Thekla Reuten of “In Bruges”), is in the offing as a weapon is constructed. Surprising himself, Jack seeks out the friendship of local priest Father Benedetto (Italian stage and screen veteran Paolo Bonacelli) and pursues romance with local woman Clara (Italian leading lady Violante Placido). But by stepping out of the shadows, Jack may be tempting fate.

A new image has been released from the upcoming DreamWorks Animation 3D movie HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. Releasing in cinemas on 25 March this new image features our hero's dragon-slaying classmates.

Our friend from Paramount Pictures ,Mr. Nicky Stewart sen us this images for the upcoming film IRON MAN 2.

Releasing on April 29 and starring Robert Downey Jnr and Gwyneth Paltrow, IRON MAN 2 also stars Mickey Rourke as Whiplash and Scarlett Johanssen as The Black Widow.

Paramount Pictures NZ is pleased to release these early Preview images for EAGLE OF THE NINTH Directed by Kevin Macdonald and Staring Channing Tatum, Mark Strong, Jamie Bell & Donald Sutherland.

Here's the new images of Green Zone courtesy of our friends from Universal Pictures NZ which star Matt Demon. GREEN ZONE releases on March 18th in NZ.

You can view the trailer at www.greenzonemovie.co.nz

Throughout history, tales of chivalry have burnished the legends of brave, handsome knights who rescue fair damsels, slay dragons and conquer evil.  But behind many a hero is a good-for-nothing younger brother trying just to stay out of the way of those dragons, evil and trouble in general. 

Danny McBride and James Franco team up for an epic comedy adventure set in a fantastical world—Your Highness.  As two princes on a daring mission to save their land, they must rescue the heir apparent’s fiancée before their kingdom is destroyed.

Thadeous (McBride) has spent his life watching his perfect older brother Fabious (Franco) embark upon valiant journeys and win the hearts of his people. 

Tired of being passed over for adventure, adoration and the throne, he’s settled for a life of wizard’s weed, hard booze and easy maidens. 

But when Fabious’ bride-to-be, Belladonna (Zooey Deschanel), gets kidnapped by the evil wizard Leezar (Justin Theroux), the king gives his deadbeat son an ultimatum: Man up and help rescue her or get cut off. 

 Half-assedly embarking upon his first quest, Thadeous joins Fabious to trek across the perilous outlands and free the princess. 

Joined by Isabel (Natalie Portman)—an elusive warrior with a dangerous agenda of her own—the brothers must vanquish horrific creatures and traitorous knights before they can reach Belladonna. 

If Thadeous can find his inner hero, he can help his brother prevent the destruction of his land.  Stay a slacker, and not only does he die a coward, he gets front row seats to the dawn of an all-new Dark Ages.

In a happy suburban neighborhood surrounded by white picket fences with flowering rose bushes, sits a black house with a dead lawn.  Unbeknownst to the neighbors, hidden beneath this home is a vast secret hideout. 

Surrounded by a small army of minions, we discover Gru (voiced by Steve Carell), planning the biggest heist in the history of the world.  He is going to steal the moon (Yes, the moon!) in Universal’s new 3-D CGI feature, Despicable Me.

On 16 September, Paramount Pictures NZ will be pleased to release the animated film DESPICABLE ME from Universal Studios which features the voice talent of Steve Carell, Jason Segel and Will Arnett.

Our friends from Universal Pictures sent us this promotional images for the upcoming movie Step Up 3. The movie is the first 3D motion picture to shoot entirely in New York City. It is also the first ever 3D dance drama. 

Directed by  Acclaimed director Jon M. Chu, who made his feature directorial debut on the box-office hit “Step Up 2 The Streets” returns to direct.

New York’s intense street dancing underground comes alive in eye-popping Digital 3D in the third installment of the STEP UP franchise as the raw, passion-fueled culture goes global.

  A tight-knit group of street dancers, including Luke (RICK MALAMBRI) and Natalie (SHARNI VINSON), team up with NYU freshman Moose (ADAM SEVANI), and find themselves pitted against the world’s best breakdancers in a high-stakes showdown that will change their lives forever.  

The first look image from 2010's MORNING GLORY, a comedy featuring Harrison Ford, Dianne Keaton and Rachel McAdams.



A hotshot television producer is set the challenge of reviving a struggling breakfast tv show, despite the constant feuding of its high-profile anchors.