One of the most influential festivals of the year, the Namatan Short Film Festival has reached its finale, taking to stage a series of originally made film entertainments throughout an evening under the stars which featured all production films enrolled this year.
With the theme; ‘Ae blong yu, lukluk blong mi’ the Australian High Commission’s Namatan Festival launched in 2012, offers the people of Vanuatu the liberty to express their vision of philosophies and originality through film. Now entering into its eight year, the festival annually reaches more than 4,000 people around the country.
This year’s festival has introduced a new authentic category, specifically for school students to play a part in. Furthermore, for terms of entry, all films must include a designated ‘unique item’ so as to prove that the films are explicitly made for this year’s Namatan Festival.
The 2019 unique item is a ‘Vanuatu Traditional Woven Basket.’ The traditional basket symbolizes the ban of plastic bags in Vanuatu, one of the significant accomplishments our nation has made as the first country in the Pacific to implement the ban.
Moreover, the traditional basket promotes the local crafts and artistic handiworks of Vanuatu culture, which in turn identifies our customary values to the world.
Showcasing the image of a traditional basket in each film production not only promotes but supports the economy as a whole.
At a national stage, the Namatan Film Festival can be seen as a great expression of modern Vanuatu culture. Where stories can be viewed through an initial and advisory moving picture that engages social concerns with a significant message that people may have experienced, is currently experiencing or will soon to experience in the future.
From a number of entries, only a few finalist are holding aces. For the open category, the three lucky winners are:
1. Taetem Strap (Single Parents) – musical by Jean P Niptik
2. Too Late (Drama) by Lester Lowane
3. Scam (Drama) by Mathew Hardwick and Nicky Kuautonga
As for the School Category, the winner is – The Risk (Action) by Elija Talo.
The Namatan People’s Choice Award will lie in wait as people are encouraged to vote at the
Namatan for their favorites film, this will be announced at a later date after the films have toured the outer islands. ‘Scam’ is based on a true story, filmed in the Torres Islands. “We were based in the Torres Islands for a work assignment and were supposed to travel to each of the 5 islands there to meet with communities to help review and develop disaster response plans. “Unfortunately, there was no fuel at the time of our visit – so we end up cancelling 3 days’ worth of meetings since we could no longer travel out by boat.
“To make use of this time, we decided to try and fi lm a short story for Namatan 2019, especially since the Torres islands are so remote, we thought it would be interesting to try and capture a true story from the community.” Said film makers Mathew and Nicky
In terms of awards, the first prize of Vt200,000 will go to Vanuatu’s top fi lm maker thanks to ANZ Bank.
Our second-place winner will take home a brand-new Samsung S8, third place will win a Samsung J5 and the People’s Choice Award winner will get a Samsung tablet, all courtesy of Digicel Vanuatu.
The school Category prizes are a laptop for first place, a projector for second place and a Samsung tablet for third place.
Finalists’ films will be screened across Vanuatu with help from long-time Namatan sponsor, Air Vanuatu.
“The Namatan Film Festival is made possible by the valuable support of Namatan’s partner VBTC and sponsors ANZ, Digicel and Air Vanuatu. I’m delighted to see so many Ni- Vanuatu expressing their talent through films and I’m glad the festival has been met with such enthusiasm. We are proud that Namatan has helped launch professional careers for previous contestants,” said Australian High Commissioner HE Jenny Da Rin
Namatan will be coming to communities across Efate, Tanna, Santo and Malekula.
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Tell us about yourself
I am 26 years old and I come from the island of Malekula. Am currently working as a Production Coordinator at Havamu Production.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
This is my second time to enter Namatan. I forgot what year I have submitted the film, but I think it’s in 2016. The film is called “Franchise”
Have you won before?
No, I have never won before.
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
I decided to enter this year so I can collaborate with my old friend who we did the first film together. And decide to write a script that will have more meaning to it and have a message to give. And another reason is to show my friends that a girl can also create film with the right people who backed her up. ☺️
Anything else?
Yes! I just hope people get the message I put in the film. Lols
FILM : 2 Shell Nomo
Film category: Open
Film Length: 6.27
Film Genre: Drama
Film Description: 2 shells can also make you think twice later.
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
I used my Cannon 750D camera, Zoom recorder and a tripod.
How long did it take to make your film?
Well it was kind of a last-minute plan to do the film plus all my actors had a job, so we did a half day shooting and 2 days editing.
Where is your film set?
The film is set at Beverly Hills, Island time and seafront.
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Your Name: Kenny Robinson Josiah
Tell us about yourself
33 years from Ambrym island work as Logistics Officer at Vanuatu Family Health Association
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
No, Second time to enter Namatan film Festival. First one was in 2015.
FILM: Anti-Social
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 2.46
Film Genre: Comedy/ Drama\
Film Description: Time for storian.
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
Use a DSLR/ an iPhone and Led light – Use Windows 10 laptop to edit. Edit using Filmora 9
How long did it take to make your film?
It takes a day to do everything
Where is your film set?
Location of Film @ Namba 3 area Port Vila.
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Tell us about yourself
I’m 12, I’m from Australia
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
No, I entered in 2018 my films name was “Through the portal”
Have you won before?
No
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
I thought it would be fun and a good motivation to practice film-making.
FILM : Three Days To Find Home
Film Category : Open
Film length : 7.13
Film Genre :Cultural
Film Description : A story about a young man trying to decide where his true home lies.
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
A Camera, a tripod and a phone
How long did it take to make your film?
5 days
Where is your film set?
Ambrym Island, Vanuatu
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Are you interested to do media interviews in the weeks leading up to the Namatan Finale?
Yes
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Your Name: Jean Pierre Niptik
Tell us about yourself (e.g. age, where are you from, what do you do?
I am 37yrs old from Malekula island. Currently working as Media Production officer for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Vanuatu. I love doing freelance work also in photography and documentary videos especially short videos for social media. In my free time I draw portraits.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
No, I have participated in the past.
If you entered before, what year(s) & film name(s)?
I did “Wan Easy Wei” in 2017 and partnered with a group of boys to do “Local Bread”, “Little Prayers”, and “Storian Blo Rose”.
Have you won before? (what year(s), film name(s) & which award(s)?)
I have never won an award.
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
I love to do film especially short videos. I belief people in Vanuatu love watching videos and I wanted to do videos that people can watch and benefit from and help them to make better choices. I always wanted to enter Namatan because its platforms reach many people and islands and I have a message for single parents and young people and I think Namatan’s platform has a wider reach and that I can enter my film in and Namatan will spread it and so the message in my film will get a wider reach.
Film Name: Taetem Strap [Single Parents
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 3.59
Film Genre: Musical
Film Description : The sacrifices we make. Taetem Strap is about single parents’ determination to do everything to provide for their kids and that men should take the responsibility raising children rather than just leaving it to the women.
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
I use a Drone, a Sony Camera and an external mic.
How long did it take to make your film?
I shoot for two Sundays in the month of May.
Where is your film set?
Manples and Seaside Port Vila.
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Tell us about yourself
I come from the island of Ambae / Ambrym and I am 28 years old, working at VBTC as an assistant producer.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
No, This is the third time I enter the Namatan Film Festival. On 2013 I participate for the first time; the title of my film was ‘ The Bush Party’ and second was on 2014
Have you won before?
Yes, as I’ve said I have won the first prize in 2014, film title: ‘True Colors’. The award was a Tripod, and a Handy Cam and VBTC offered me one month internship with them.
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
As a producer I am interested to produce and create new stuffs, and this year I’d like to show people what I have produced.
FILM : Wota Hemi Laef
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 2.05
Film Genre: This film it’s sort of Cartoon style, am not sure, or I might say animated cartoon? not sure.
Film Description: ‘Take a stroll with an egg’
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
I use a canon camera 7D to film
How long did it take to make your film?
It takes me a day to film and a day to draft my script.
Where is your film set?
My film set was at my house
Media opportunities
Are you interested to do media interviews in the weeks leading up to the Namatan Finale?
Yes, am interested to do interviews then.
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Your Name: Rik Hinton
Tell us about yourself
32, from the UK. Lived in Vanuatu on and off for 10 years is. Have always been involved with Wan Smol Bag, working with at risk youth and people with disabilities doing circus and theatre.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
No, 2018 – Blonde Jenny Tales
Have you won before?
No
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
I liked the idea of challenging myself to make a movie in 24 hours. It took a bit longer than 24 hours, but I had fun doing it, that’s the main thing, having fun.
Film Name: Basket Blong Mi
Film category: Open
Film Length: 5.06
Film Genre: Stop Motion & Comedy
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
iPad and an app called Stop Motion.
How long did it take to make your film?
A day and a bit
Where is your film set?
A house in Port Vila
Anything else?
What I enjoyed about the process was making it up as I went along and having Laurie (the only actor in the film) help me take all the photos.
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Tell us about yourself
I’m 21 and currently living in Port Vila. I own a photography business called Vanuatu Visuals
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
No, In 2017 I entered “The Sketchbook”, in 2018 “Lukim Yu”
Have you won before?
2018 “Lukim Yu” was the 1st Place Winner
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
I love making movies, so the opportunity to enter a local film festival is great. I wish it was more often!
Anything else?
With every project you learn something new which is also part of the fun.
FILM : The Flash Drive
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 7.00
Film Genre: Action
Film Description: A team of secret agents lead a daring mission to save the world from the plastic bag crisis.
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
Mainly used – Canon DSLR camera and Rode microphone. A Go-pro was used for a couple of shots. Edited in Adobe Premiere Pro’
How long did it take to make your film?
5 days of shooting and 2 weeks of editing.
Where is your film set?
We filmed at the public hospital and then at seaside area.
Anything else?
The team of actors also were the crew – meaning everyone was helping with lights and audio on set. Everyone pitched in with ideas for the story and together we decided on our ending
MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES
Are you interested to do media interviews in the weeks leading up to the Namatan Finale?
Yes
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Your Name: Lester Lowane
Tell us about yourself
We are a group of 6 students, and we are cousins. We live at Sevenstar. Our age ranges from 19 – 14
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
Yes, this is our first time
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
We’ve been learning filming and photography for a few months from our uncle and aunty who have background in this area. We thought it would be fun to enter Namatan and put out what we have learnt so far.
We also have a page on Facebook where you can view samples of our works. It’s called ‘ Red Eye Creative’
FILM : Too late
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 6.05
Film Genre: Drama
Film Description: Small things can change what tomorrow brings.
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
A GoPro, a Samsung J7 and a drone
How long did it take to make your film?
It took about a month on and off. As students we can only do it after school and during weekends.
Where is your film set?
Hospital and Sevenstar
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Tell us about yourself
I am 21 years old and I am from Pango village Efate. I am currently at home after finishing my year 13 studies in 2017.
Is this your first time to enter Namtan?
yes, this is my first time.
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
I decided to enter Namatan this year because it’s been a passion of mine of making short films just for fun but when I heard about the Namatan Festival, I wanted to challenge myself and the boys to step out of our comfort zones and try something new. Taking our passion of film making to another level and helping each other with our skills of filming and acting.
FILM : Be yourself
Film category : Open
Film Length : 6.58
Film Genre : Comedy & Action
Film Description : Are you in the cool list?
What film equipment did you use to make your film ?
We filmed with just a Samsung Galaxy S8
How long did it take to make your film?
Both the actors are busy during the day, one is working and the other had school, so it took us 1 day and 4 evenings to shoot the film. So approximately 1 week to make the film.
Where is the film Set?
Pango Village. Our film Be Yourself is being made of the point of view that many young people today live in imitation of other people such as celebrities or cool people. They act cool imitate other cool people just to be accepted by society, be popular etc. we want to encourage young people to just be themselves and not worry about what others think of them. It’s better to be Real or being yourself than being somebody else or being somebody you not.
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Your Name:
Dale Abel
Tell us about yourself
My name is Dale Abel, I am 19 years old and currently attending USP at Emalus. A student from Tebakor School, yr12 and age 19 years old, Elijah Talo and I came up with the idea of the film which is why he was chosen to be the leader while I run everything else.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
Yes
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
Hearing the Namatan through the radio on the way to school was where I felt the urge to make a short film. The reason why I’ve decided to enter this year was to try a new skill which was totally new (angles to take film, how to choreograph, etc…) thus making it exciting.
Through the Namatan it has given each individual to push themselves to new things/skills which can really make a change for them in their career as they further continue their life.
FILM : The Risk
Film Category: schools
Film Length: 7.01
Film Genre: Action & Drama
Film Description : Never take wrong risks
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
1 canon camera, 1 tripod
How long did it take to make your film?
It took the team one whole day and a half (1 1/2) to complete the film.
Where is your film set?
It was taken at Malapoa College. A teacher’s house was also used at Malapoa.
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Tell us about yourself
Matthew is from the USA; he recently became a citizen of Vanuatu after living here 11 years. He lived on Aneityum for 3 years, East Efate for 2 years and has been based in Port Vila for the past 6 years. Nicky is from Futuna Island.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
No, We have submitted films separately and jointly over past years. The last joint submission was in 2017 for a short film titled “Cultural Exchange”, which won first place.
Have you won before?
Nicky has won First Place, Second Place and People’s Choice on films submitted. Matthew has previously won Second Place and People’s Choice for a film submitted sometime between 2013 – 2015.
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
We enjoy making short films and decided to partner together this year so that it would be an easier and more enjoyable task for us to complete. We were based in the Torres Islands for a work assignment and were supposed to travel to each of the 5 islands there to meet with communities to help review and develop disaster response plans. Unfortunately, there was no fuel at the time of our visit – so we ended up cancelling 3 days’ worth of meetings since we could no longer travel out by boat. To make use of this time, we decided to try and film a short story for Namatan 2019, since the Torres Islands are so remote, and we thought it would be interesting to try and capture a true story from the community.
FILM: Scam
Category: Open
Film Length: 6.24
Genre: Drama
Film Description: Welcome to the land of milk & honey.
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
DSLR camera and zoom mic.
How long did it take to make your film?
Two days of filming in the Torres Islands. One day of filming in Port Vila. Probably took a week or so to edit.
Where is your film set?
Two days of filming in the Torres Islands. One day of filming in Port Vila. Probably took a week or so to edit. We partnered together to make this year’s video production. Nicky filmed all our short film and edited the video while Matthew assisted with production by writing the script, preparing actors, film locations, directing and assisting with editing.
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Your Name: Karl Philips
Tell us about yourself
I am 31 years old and hail from Malekula. I have a wife and daughter. We live at Manples, Port Vila. I work as a teaching assistant for Trade Literacy and Numeracy at the Pacific Vocational Training Centre.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
Yes. But the director, Antonio Josiah, was involved with “Hackers” in 2016.
Have you won before?
Antonio directed the short film, “Hackers” which was the judge’s choice and people’s choice in 2016 Namatan.
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
I wanted to try my hand at producing a video that tells a story – something other than documentaries and music videos. Also, the prize is appealing.
FILM: Fasin Blong Man
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 7:00
Film Genre: Drama
Film Description:
A provoked man is a violent man.
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
We used an old Canon EOS 5D Mark 2 camera, alternating between a 24mm and 75 – 300mm lens, household lights and a makeshift microphone.
How long did it take to make your film?
Night scenes at home – one Thursday evening. Morning fight scenes – one Sunday morning. Searching scenes – one Saturday night.
Where is your film set?
In Port Vila. (Filmed around Port Vila – Freswota and downtown)
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Tell us about yourself:
I am 12 years of age and study at Port Vila International School. I was born in Australia and I also make videos on YouTube. I have been living in Vanuatu for the last four years and love living here
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
Yes
FILM: The Basket-head Brothers
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 1.28
Film Genre: Comedy
Film Description: The Basket-head Brothers are in town and it’s up to Michael Jackson to save the day through music!
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
I-Phone 6
How long did it take to make your film?
2-3 weeks
Where is your film set?
Tassiriki
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Tell us about yourself: My name is Willie Nampi, am from Tanna and am 39 years old. A part time worker at Wan Smol Bag, now starting at VBTC.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan? No
- 2011 – Uncivilization
- 2012 – Strange Creatures
- 2013 – Gangsters
- 2014 – Tuff seconds
- 2018 – Dream Boy
Have you won before?
- Uncivilized – 3rd prize
- Strange Creatures – 1st prize
- Tuff Second – 2nd prize
- Dream Boy (Wan Smol Bag) – Certificate of Participants
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
I participate every year because am interested in filming. When I put my imagination into films, I love it when all my friends and other people like it. Which on the other hand, it inspired me to do more. Participating all this year and the winnings has made my resume looks good in a filming career. I have just been accepted at VBTC and started working there.
FILM: Ron from laef
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 6.02
Film Genre: Horror
Film Description: Are your eyes playing tricks on you?
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
Samsung Galaxy S8
How long did it take to make your film?
month of Filming and Edition
Where is your film set?
Etas, Efate
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Tell us about yourself
Am 26 years old am from Tongoa/Ambae island and am a Computer Tutor at Wan Smolbag Yut Senta.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
NO , Year 2018- Title Dream Boy
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
Because we want help our youths to be part of this Film festival.
FILM: Yes the white man & Ron from life
Film Category: Schools
Film Length: 2.22
Film Genre: Horror
Film Description : Be very afraid!
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
We use a phone and a laptop
How long did it take to make your film?
One week
Where is your film set?
Wan Smolbag Yut Senta & Etas Area
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Tell us about yourself:I
‘m from Ireland and I’m 18 years old. I am a student.
Is this your first time to enter Namatan?
Yes this is my first time entering Namatan.
Why did you decide to enter Namatan this year?
Just wanted to give it a shot. Thought it would be fun.
The Coffee Boy is a small skit where two friends meet up and one of the friends has never Before tasted coffee. So the other friend encourages him to try it but he is nervous but Gives it a shot anyway. What happens next is hysterical.
FILM: The Coffee Boy
Film Category: Open
Film Length: 3.05
Film Genre: Comedy
Film Description: “Everybody loves coffee”
What film equipment did you use to make your film?
Canon 700D,rod,light reflector,lights and Adobe Premier Pro
How long did it take to make your film?
The film was shot in 2 daysParagraph
Where is your film set?
The film is set in Port Vila
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