Mini-delights as short films get to the heart of the matter

Diminished attention spans have their day out with the arrival of the Show Me Shorts Film Festival in Dunedin this week.

It's a format that is finding a growing audience, says festival director Gina Dellabarca.

"I think it's the popularity of the internet.

"Ironically, I think it has helped the short-film genre establish itself as something that is far more in the public consciousness than it used to be," says Ms Dellabarca.

"People have access to a lot more and are watching a lot more online."

As a result, their interest is piqued, they are a lot more film-literate, and they are keen to see some short films at their best on the big screen.

Ms Dellabarca says it is still true that short films provide a training ground for budding film-makers, which also makes them an ideal place to do some talent spotting.

But as careers tend to be less linear, film-makers also move between formats, including producing advertisements and music videos, while others find the short film suits their style best.

"They are more like storytellers," she says of the modern film-maker. "It is about finding the right medium to fit their story."

Among those who can be said to have cut their teeth on the short-film format, and who have featured in previous years' festivals, is Weta Workshop employee Paul Campion.

Previous festivals have carried his short films Night of the Hell Hamsters and the multi-award-winning Elle Girl.

Ms Dellabarca says he has now just completed his first feature-length film, The Devil's Rock.