The Girls

Toi Ngākau Productions and LightShade Creative present "The Girls", a short film written by Courtney Rose Brown, directed by Tabitha Arthur and produced by Bethany Grace Miller.

The Girls provides a snapshot of the complexity of relationships within a matriarchy. The exploration of intergenerational tension, expectations, and stereotypes paints a richly-layered and poignant black Kiwi comedy.

Last year was the 125th year celebrating women's suffrage; we are empowering women in an industry that is known for its alarmingly low statistics for women in any role beyond moviegoer. To challenge these stats we need the funds to help us achieve this. We have a full female team of 28 creatives who are collaborating to make this ambitious new short film.

We believe this has not yet been done in NZ outside of 48Hours!

Not only are we putting an all wāhine cast on the screen, all of our cast, crew and creatives are women! And it is moving and empowering to witness all of these talented industry and emerging women, collaborate, rock their craft, step up to discover their potential, and Get Stuff Done - with grit, determination, and compassion!

We are also excited to bring storytelling that breaks away from traditional white-male-centred film industry narratives towards refreshingly real and complex women and LGBTQIA+ perspectives.

WHY AOTEAROA NEEDS US

The Girls is shattering gender stereotyping - both on and off screen - in the hope to stitch the outline of a better-balanced film industry and society in Aotearoa.

We have an incredible female P.M, but she can't do this alone. The art we create and the environments in which we create it have an important role in shifting culture. Not just for those making it, but for those watching also. Humans learn by imitation; we are significantly affected by the media we consume, so let's make deliciously powerful narratives for our fellow women to feel empowered in their own lives!!

The script has been workshopped with Kathy McRae through EAT (Emerging Artists Trust). The film has also received a small amount of funding support from EAT, but in order to breathe life into this script and cover the rest of the costs, we do need support. We're aiming to submit the film for NZ New Zealand Film Festival and Show Me Shorts 2019, followed by New Zealand festivals as the film is showcasing a perspective that New Zealand and New Zealand audiences are demanding to see more of.

Screenwriter Courtney Rose Brown says that the idea for The Girls came from the film trope of a woman becoming pregnant being the worst thing that could ever happen to her. This short film plays with stereotypes in a classic 'kiwi dark comedy' way where everything isn't quite what it seems.

WHY DO WE NEED MONEY?

Making a film is expensive! We are an all-female creative team and we want to produce high-quality work within the film industry. The money raised from this campaign will mainly go towards hiring equipment for filming which is crucial to making a high-quality film. We need funds to support the shooting costs: hiring a camera kit, lighting, props and set dressing, wardrobe, sound recording equipment, travel, and catering. We also need funds for post-production including graphics, editing, colour grading, sound, publicity, and festival submissions.

Starring: Marshayla Christie, Raquel Roderick, Shania Bailey-Edmonds, and Lydia Peckham.

"Let's Do This"