"Whisker" Wins Future Filmmaker Award at Palm Springs Festival

“Whisker,” a New Zealand short film about a man trying to win a beard-growing contest, has been awarded the prestigious Future Filmmaker Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival ShortFest, from a competition of 330 films. Written by Saatchi & Saatchi CD Corey Chalmers and directed/produced by Steve Saussey & Yolande Dewey of Stuff and Nonsense Ltd, “Whisker” is a NZ Film Commission-funded premiere short, and is the debut film from all three of the team.

Chalmers said: “We’re pretty chuffed to get an award at the film’s international premiere, in a major show just down the road from Hollywood. It’s been a labour of love for Steve, Yolande and myself for over a year and it’s great to see some major recognition for the hard work and skill our crew, performers and post-production guys put into this very Kiwi tale.”

Director Steve Saussey said: ''For a New Zealand short film to be recognised by a major US festival jury is fantastic, given the amazingly high standards of the films in competition.  For the film to get this kind of attention at its world premiere is especially encouraging.” 

Producer Yolande Dewey added: "To be invited to Palm Springs and tap into the network of film makers and industry from all over the world has been fantastic, and the jury prize is a real honour for Whisker at its first outing. Stuff and Nonsense is coming home invigorated and inspired to do what we do best - making funny stuff that people like to watch.”

“Whisker” was executive produced by Short & Sharp via the NZ Film Commission.