Auckland films Venice-bound

Two short films by lecturers and a student at Auckland University have been accepted for competition at the Venice Film Festival. Coffee and Allah, written and produced by senior film lecturers Shuchi Kothari and Sarina Pearson, explores a NZ-Ethiopian woman’s love for coffee, Islam and badminton. Cargo, the self-funded debut by postgraduate student Leo Woodhead, is a grim look at child trafficking from the perspective of a young Czech boy. “It’s particularly pleasing that the work of our established film-makers on the staff and emerging talent from among the students are being showcased side by side,” said Duncan Petrie, head of Auckland University’s Department of Film Television and Media Studies. “That demonstrates the strength and depth that we aspire to in the department.” The Venice Film Festival is the oldest and one of the most prestigious events on the international competition circuit.