Miramar Creative Centre graduate showcase celebrates Aotearoa New Zealand's film, music, and visual effects talent
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington students and staff recently joined forces with New Zealand's thriving film industry for 'Expanding Cinema: the Miramar Creative Centre Graduate Showcase' at the prestigious Roxy Cinema.
The event offered guests insight into the talent emerging from the Master of Design Technology (MDT) and the Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) in Film and Music (MFA (CP)) programmes taught at the Miramar Creative Centre.
The standout films showcased were "Cat Hair Allergy," "The Journey of Cooking," "Extra Rice," "Bill Tito: The Unread Story," "An Interview with Death," and "Blackout.” The broad range of films offered a glimpse into the diverse perspectives and technical talents of graduating students, showcasing everything from scriptwriting to storytelling, music, and visual effects.
Nan O'Sullivan, Head of the School of Design Innovation, says, "The Graduate Showcase did more than just celebrate the creativity, skills, and expertise our students bring to the film industry—it highlighted their capacity as creative and compassionate collaborators. Their storytelling surprised, tugged at the heartstrings, empathised, and made us laugh—all while being visually compelling."
Attendees were treated not only to screenings of the student-produced films but also to exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses, offering a deeper understanding of the creative process.
Behind the Scenes with Journey of Cooking from VUW Master of Design Technology on Vimeo.
The evening reached its pinnacle with an address from esteemed New Zealand actor and filmmaker Shane Rangi (Ngāti Porou). Known for his diverse acting roles in blockbuster hits such as Avatar: The Way of Water, the Chronicles of Narnia series, and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Rangi's speech served as inspiration for the aspiring filmmakers in attendance.
Following the screenings graduates networked with industry professionals, including many alumni now working at esteemed film studios.
Three distinct but equally innovative programmes
The Miramar Creative Centre serves as the incubator for budding talents from the MFA (CP) Film and Music and the MDT, fostering an environment where creativity thrives alongside innovation. Located close to film industry elites like Wētā Workshop and Park Road Post Production, the Centre provides students with unparalleled access to industry resources.
"The wonderful thing about the Miramar Creative Centre is that our facility is 'fit-for-purpose.' With the exceptional fit out done in 2017, our modest facility has everything needed to do professional-level production and postproduction all under one roof," says Kevin Romond, Director of the Miramar Creative Centre.
The MDT programme offers students a comprehensive curriculum covering visual effects, animation, narrative design, 3D Graphics, performance, and immersive design. Under the guidance of world-leading professionals, students built a professional portfolio and gained hands-on experience crafting narrative works.
Senior Lecturer in Design Visual Effects Areito Echevarria has been working with the students throughout their degrees.
"I was extremely proud of the films made by the MDT students. They took creative and technical risks, worked hard, came together, and produced a fantastic result. Not only is the work of a very high technical standard, but it also pushes the boundaries of what kinds of stories can be told through the medium of narrative art."
Also taught at the Miramar Creative Centre, the MFA (CP) in Film and Music programmes provide platforms for aspiring filmmakers and musicians to hone their creative and business skills. With a focus on practical experience and industry connection, students emerge equipped to navigate the competitive landscape of New Zealand's creative industries.
Senior Lecturer Raqi Syed has been leading the MDT programme for several years and is not surprised by the high employability rate of graduates from the programme.
"Narrative and human-centred design will continue to be the key skill in the future of filmmaking.
"Our students are great at adapting new technologies to the filmmaking process, but their real superpower is their ability to use animation as a vehicle for personal and emotional storytelling."
As the credits rolled on the 'Expanding Cinema' showcase, The evening concluded with a sense of celebration about the bright future of New Zealand cinema.
Behind the Scenes with Cat Hair Allergy from VUW Master of Design Technology on Vimeo.
Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice) films
Extra Rice
Precious Marie, or Rie, is your average teenage girl who overachieves, overthinks, and is overwhelmed. Throughout her day, we witness her navigate through the challenge of being the eldest daughter and try to reconcile her family's Christian values with a new feeling of having a crush from the church. She also has to prepare for her strict Filipina grandmother's (Lola Cora) birthday dinner, adding another layer of pressure to her day. Once she lets go of her inhibitions and fears, she's surprised with the joy of letting things be, all while enjoying an extra serving of rice.
Writer and Director: Louise Evia Toledo
Producer: Nikky Nemzer
Executive Producers: Paul Wolffram and Lala Rolls
Cinematographer and Colourist: Dini Aristya Wulandari
Editor: Kush Patel
Sound Designer: Patrick Simmons
Music Composer: Lian Dyogi
Script Consultant: Dean Hewison
Bill Tito: The Unread Story
A story of an eccentric book doctor finding joy between pages, against all odds, and against the world with his wife. Humans are like books, each with their distinct covers, shapes, and sizes. But the real treasure lies in the stories within, tales that make each of us unique. And one of these exceptional stories belongs to a man named Bill Tito.
Writer and director: Dini Aristya Wulandari
Producer: Shaun Swain
Executive Producers: Paul Wolffram, Lala Rolls
Cinematographer: Kush Patel Editor: Beñat Antoñana
Sound designer: Roco Moroi Thorn
Music Composer: Ha Xuening
Colourist: Louise Toledo
Graphic Designer: Miko Awangyudha
Animator: Ady Setyawan Cast: Bill
Tito & Jane Tito
An Interview With Death
An accomplished journalist is forced to confront his shortcomings when he finds himself having a conversation with Death.
Written & Directed by Nikky Nemzer
Producer: Caitlin Robinson
First Assistant Director: Shaun 'Cloud' Swain
Art Director: Louise Toledo
Director of Photography: Max Norwood
Gaffer: Kush Patel
Sound by: Angus Webb
Editor: Beñat Antoñana
VFX Director: Rita Close
Colourist: Nikky Nemzer
Music Composer: Liam Hotter
Cast:
Journalist - Matt Ruglys
Death - Thomas SinclairCas
Death (Additional Voices) - Caitlin
Robinson, Shaun' Cloud' Swain
Blackout
Benny, an emerging performer, is rehearsing his first solo show. They are playing a drinking game – one drink for every line flub. But the exercises unsettle Benny as he gets increasingly intoxicated. A dance gets too intimate, Benny runs into the wings, and Jason gives chase. Jason, offended, gives Benny an Ultimatum: SHOW OR NO SHOW? And everyone knows the show must go on… right?
Writer and Director: Shaun "Cloud" Swain
Producer: Caitlin Robinson
Executive Producers: Paul Wolffram and Lala Rolls
Cinematographer: Louise Toledo
Editor: Beñat Antonana
Sound Design: Caitlin Robinson
Music Composer: Liam Hotter
Colourist: Nikky Nemzer
Cast: Joel Blakely-Clark as Benny, Martin Tidy as Jason
Master of Design Technology films
Cat Hair Allergy
Lexi, a young student grappling with the loneliness of living in a new country, adopts a cat named Long. This newfound companionship triggers a chain of allergic reactions, compelling Lexi to ultimately put Long up for adoption. As Lexi's reality is upended, her one-room apartment transforms - becoming a conduit to a cosmic world.
Co-Writers: Qinxin Yang, Quinn Dacre
Director: Qinxin Yang
Producer: Quinn Dacre
Production Designer: Quinn Dacre
Cinematographer: Caitlin Hall
FX Designer: Johnny Lyu
Editor: Max Helbick
Cast: Motion Performance: Jen Francisco
Lulu: Qinxin (Lulu) Yang
Lexi: Tian Yixing
The Cat Hair Allergy Behind the Scenes film was also shown at the event.
The Journey of Cooking
Thrilled by the prospect of fresh, delicious food, a robot couple relocates from a dystopian city to a vibrant forest. However, their excitement is dashed when they discover that all the food they've bought with their remaining money has gone mouldy. This leads to a culinary revelation.
Director: Echo Sun
Performance Artists: Allan Henry, Branka Vikich
Technical artists: Daline Taing, Echo Sun, Jacob Karam, Gyro Jiang, Niranjan Kottukal
Composer: Blue Ha
Sound designer and mixer: Blue Ha
The Journey of Cooking Behind the Scenes film was also shown at the event.
Explore the Master of Fine Arts (Creative Practice)
Wellington is the UNESCO City of Film and the heart of New Zealand’s creative industries. If you’re interested in developing your leadership, collaborative, creative, and business skills as a practising artist—then this is the right degree for you.
Learn moreExplore the Master of Design Technology
Design Technology is taught at the Miramar Creative Centre, a multimillion-dollar complex among the Weta group buildings on Park Road, offering unrivalled access to work experience and professional connections. If you’re interested in furthering your skills in digital technologies to tell stories with visual effects (VFX), gaming, animation, or extended reality (XR)—then this is the right degree for you.
Learn more