International appeal

Valerie Reid’s Sand Dancer has won Best Documentary in its first US screening, at the Foursite Film Festival in Utah. The award is the latest in a string of wins for the film, including the Audience Choice Award at Taipei’s Golden Horse International Short Competition and Best Documentary at the MAGMA International Shorts Fest in Rotorua. “Winning the Audience Choice Award in Taipei confirms that Sand Dancer crosses all languages and cultures,” says Reid. “I think that audiences and film makers alike have enjoyed Sand Dancer because the film’s message of following your heart applies to us all.” Sand Dancer is a ten minute documentary about legendary NZ sand artist Peter Donnelly, filmed at New Brighton Beach in Christchurch. It is the only NZ short to be selected for New York’s prestigious Tribeca Film Festival, March 12-20.