An Invercargill filmmaker has won a top award in the 48 Hour Film Competition.
James Wilkinson’s work as director of photography on the film The Black Ballet was recognised at a function in Auckland on Saturday night.
The film, put together by Invercargill team Super Furious Ninja Dragon, only made the final because Sir Peter Jackson selected it as a wild card.
Wilkinson said other participants were surprised to see an Invercargill team in the finals for the first time, but not as surprised as he was when he was announced a winner.
"So many people were excited and surprised that Invercargill had come all the way up and had such a great showing...and [I was] really shocked and honoured to have won the cinematography award," he said.
Wilkinson said the film was well received by the audience who seemed to enjoy the film’s twist-ending.
"There was definitely a lot of laughter in the crowd watching the film, and then the ending, which I won’t give away... it definitely got the response that we were hoping for."
The Black Ballet will be uploaded to the 48 Hour Film screening room page in the next week.
