Nominations are now open for the 2011 Raglan Arts Film Festival Awards. The RAFFA awards celebrate the achievements of local Raglan Whaingaroa film makers and actors. To be eligible for nomination the films can be of any length and genre but must be made by film makers, or actors from around the Whaingaroa Harbour (West of the deviation) or filmed in the area. Raglan Arts Council Chair, Rodger Gallagher said, “The Awards acknowledge the high level of local creativity in this art form. Interest in the RAFFAs is building each year and we already have one 2011 nomination – the feature film Water Whisperers Tangaroa which covers the work of Whaingaroa Harbourcare.”
The RAFFA awards culminate in a red carpet awards evening later in the year. The Awards are organised by the Raglan Community Arts Council and held at the Raglan Old School Arts Centre after the Academy has reviewed the nominations. 2011 is the third year of RAFFA awards. In 2010 there were seven nominations covering everything from Ariana Brunet acting in a TV series, through Maryann Tuao’s musical feature and Patti Mitchley raising awareness of environmental issues. Turanga Kereopa’s film, ‘The Chronicles of the Sky Child’ fascinated people and received the RAFFA Creative Visual Award.
All nominated short films that meet the criteria will be screened at the awards night along with excerpts from TV series and feature length films. Due to the overwhelming response in 2010 to see the local films, this year additional screenings will be provided on the day following the awards ceremony.
The RAFFA awards were designed by local Whaingaroa steel artist, Philip Meek. Application forms are available from the Raglan Old School Arts Centre in Stewart Street. Phone 825 0023, Email info@raglanartscentre.co.nz Nominations close on 15 July.