CHICKEN

"You know what would be real funny g?" This entire film, that's what!

This well-deserved national winner had the entire theatre in stitches, with endearing performances from the two leads and an intense build-up to the best two match cuts in the competition. The editing, sound design and cinematography were epic. The audio mix (especially at the beginning) was the only thing that could have improved slightly for legibility/clarity, but that's nickpicking and it didn't affect the film's impact at all. Honestly what a banger of a film, I'm super excited to see what comes next from the Nugget's team.

Also, film name Chicken, team name Nuggets? Iconic.

Ka pai guys. I didn’t expect the win but here we are. Mad props to yous. First time Kirikiriroa has won the main prize? Or in a while at least lol. I must admit that as soon as you guys transitioned to the farm scene like….. omg, that scene is GORGEOUS!!!!! Finland is beautiful, and some Ngai Tahu films were pretty, but I had no idea that Tainui was so pretty… too… lol. And I’ve lived here for a while.

Nga mihi nui ki nga toa mo te whakataetae Kiriata, 48 haora, o te tau 2024.

I was too slow on this one - After the first watch, I didn't fully feel what I do now. That feeling being, this is the exact type of film and team that 48 Hours is all about. A humble team of people making something to have fun - and this fun shows on screen. A well deserved national winner and I’m looking forward to what you do next!

During the GF livestream we almost fell out of our chairs in fits of laughter + jubilation.
Reminded me of what 48hours was all about for so long. Not the most polished but the most fun.
And the team taking the awards seem so choice, humble + appreciative. :-)

There is so much joy in this film and in the filmmakers and it translates. It’s not the best technically but films this fun deserve to be rewarded. Well done!

I loved this movie. I’m very excited by the team that made this project. I’m sure they will make something equally as epic with their winnings. Totally well-deserved. Absolutely brilliant. Creative genius, and there’s no other way to word it. Clearly, there was something spiritual with the sky when you shot your climax. Phenomenal, ephemeral imagery to match an outstanding film. To me, it stood out as the clear victor! Congratulations Nuggets

First of all, congratulations on the win team, you are an exciting and talented group and to take out the grand final this year was a brilliant effort to catch the eye of the stacked panel of international judges.

And it was a surprise victory, as not a single 48 Hours veteran I spoke to had this film at #1...and yet we were quite clearly wrong in terms of how this competition is judged, as 6-7 people I caught up with (plus more in online comments) who were watching the grand final from a fresh point of view had you as their top pick and ultimately that's what everyone needs to sit back and realise. We (veterans, competitors and regional judges) are thinking too long and hard about the competition elements and requirements in our 'rankings'. The grand final judging is looking at one main thing and one main thing only.

And that is...Does the film stand up outside the confines of the competition? Because that will be your national winner each and every year. Like Chicken was for 2024.

So onto the bones of the film itself. Is the film a bit raw? Yes, no doubt to me about that, with a sound mix that for the first 90 seconds of the film was not clean, wind on the soundtrack and reverb from neighbours calling across to each other, and framing before the game to kill boredom gets serious not exactly drawing the viewer in, and camerawork whilst clean didn't really hold a candle to the top level grades I saw on show in this competition.

Is the film a bit silly? Also yes, ultimately developing into one long fight scene that bursts off the screen with camerawork and editing that calls to mind the best work of Sam Raimi. The energy of your performers is phenomenal and the match cut is of course a chef's kiss moment.

The final joke also superbly delivered, creating an overall well rounded short based on the sum of its parts.

So when I first watched the film I cracked up, thought it was amazing and others who watched it with me thought the same.

But for me if we're going to award a comedy-centred film as the national champion in this competition I personally want it to A. be technically bulletproof and B. be clearly overwhelmingly better than the rest of the field. This wasn't for mine, but represented the spirit of the competition so again congratulations!