GIRLS

Based on a true story, GIRLS is a short film that explores being an immigrant in modern day Aotearoa, judging by appearances and manaakitanga (hospitality, generosity, care and respect for others).

We are reaching out to YOU, our beautiful whānau and friends, to ask for your support, so that we can pay for vital production costs and as a way of showing our gratitude, we'd like to involve you in some key creative decisions, including helping us decide on the names of our characters, the car they drive, the shooting location and the final title of the film.

GIRLS, a short film

GIRLS is a coming-of-age comedy drama about teen sisters who are left with no choice but to hitchhike home. However, their journey gets complicated when they get picked up by gang members. 

Written and directed by award-winning Bulgarian born writer/director Rouzie Hassanova, the film explores universal themes, weaving cultures, languages and lands together.

Why this story? Why now?

"As a Bulgarian, immigrant, female storyteller, I have always found myself being judged or racially discriminated against before people have had the opportunity to get to know me.

I want to make Girls, because it looks beyond the global illnesses of today (racism, anti-immigration, anti-individualism) and focuses on what binds us as humans – experiencing an emotional connection."

How will your koha (donation) help us make GIRLS?

Even though this is a low budget film, we won’t compromise on quality. As a team, we are experienced and comfortable with limited budgets and love to collaborate and find creative solutions to any hurdles we may face.

Our overall budget is NZD $7,000. We already have $3,000 earmarked thanks to the incredible Wellington Emerging Artists Trust (EAT). However, we need your support to reach our Boosted goal of $6,000 in total to help pay for production costs including; an experienced Health and Safety Advisor; sound recording equipment and design; location fees; insurance and most importantly kai (meals) for our generous volunteer crew. 

Rouzie and Francesca are contributing $1,000 to make up the final $7K.

A big thank you to those who have already generously supported GIRLS

Script advisors Kath Akuhata-Brown, Te O Kahurangi Waaka Tibble and Mechele Harron; Health and Safety champion Marc Ashton; DOP Matthew Knight; Sound recordist James Dunlop; Locations Manager Nicola Bailey; Sally Thorburn at EAT; Simone Reynolds at BOOSTED and our gorgeous campaign models Rian Mahoney and Alex Yourukova Wallis.

The GIRLS tīma (team)

This project is a collaboration between Wellington based wāhine (female) filmmakers - writer/director Rouzie Hassanova, producer Francesca Carney, Artist/DOP Alice Toomer and filmmaker/editor Francesca Sewell.

What next for GIRLS?

We aim to shoot in May 2020 and are in the process of confirming our cast.

If you would like to stay in the loop, follow our updates and help us with some key creative decisions or simply to support us, please like our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram.

Ngā mihi nui ki a koutou | Благодарим ви на всички най сърдечно | Thank you all for your kind support

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE YOU WITH US ON THIS JOURNEY!

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A little bit about the GIRLS tīma (team)

Rouzie Hassanova has written and directed a number of award-winning shorts and a feature film called RADIOGRAM, which screened at 15 international film festivals and won three awards. Her film industry experience includes roles in post-production, international film finance and distribution, production and drama development. In London, she worked as Sales Manager for HanWay Films and as Vice President, International Licensing and Distribution for Mister Smith Entertainment. Since moving to New Zealand with her Kiwi husband and family, Rouzie has worked as a Drama Development Producer for Great Southern TV and a Development Executive at the New Zealand Film Commission (NZFC) and she is currently on maternity leave. 

Francesca Carney has spent over 15 years working in television, theatre and film. Her roles include production manager and researcher on the TV series WILD ABOUT NEW ZEALAND, weekly magazine show NO.8 WIRED and 12 part Gibson Group documentary series HERE TO STAY. She has collaborated on numerous short films and theatre projects including award winning Fringe radio series OUT OF BOUND SOUNDS. More recently Francesca has held several roles at NZFC, heavily involved in the Fresh Shorts funding and development labs and part of the core working group to develop NZFC’s Te Rautaki Māori (strategy). Francesca lives in Wellington with her husband and three children.

Alice Toomer is a Director of Photography who has shot a number of short films, documentaries and informative content. She recently received a silver award at the NZ Cinematographers Society Awards for her latest short film RASPBERRY AND COKE, and since graduating Massey University with a film degree in 2018, Alice has developed her skills in cinematography and has delved in to other areas of filmmaking including producing, writing and on-set assisting. Her keen visual eye and passion for capturing raw emotion is a strength that she brings to projects. 

Francesca Sewell is the writer and director of RASPBERRY AND COKE. She is a Wellington-based filmmaker who finds meaning in crafting and sharing authentic, character-driven slices of New Zealand life. She graduated from Massey University's Creative Media Production programme in 2018 and is currently working on a range of projects, from commercial content to short films and documentaries. Francesca is also developing concepts for diverse, New Zealand-focused storytelling, and enjoys collaborating with others who share a similar vision.