Day One Shorts 2025 Commissioned Teams Announced!

After receiving a whopping 109 applications, we are thrilled to announce the eight commissioned teams for Day One Shorts 2025 (formerly Someday Stories)! This is the second time we have had the opportunity to fund eight teams, thanks to the generous support of NZ On Air.

In collaboration with our two screen partners; RNZ & Whakaata Māori, we had the challenging task of curating this series, selecting eight teams out of a very strong sixteen shortlisted groups with a new brand 30+ directors category supporting the development of two directors within this.

Each funded documentary team will receive $15k, and each funded scripted team will receive $20k to produce their film, along with wrap-around talent development support including workshops, professional script consultancy, and directing/producing mentors.

Once again, Thank you to our funders and screen partners for making this initiative possible; NZ On Air, Whakaata Māori, and RNZ.
The commissioned teams for 2025 are…

monster & me (scripted drama)
Director / Writer - Tom Field - He/Him
Producer / Co-Writer - Elora Battah - She/Her
Logline: Join the fluffy gentle giant, Motmot, as he navigates life through the bleak world of Strugart,until one day his life is drastically turned upside down by an unknown creature, a human boy.
Script Consultant - Marina McCartney

Ata Pūao (scripted drama)
Director / Writer - Allie Howell - She/Her
Producer - Angel Kameta - They/Them
Story consultation; Pūmanawa Rawiri
Logline: The new tāhine in town, Hiwa, is going out to celebrate her 21st, but when her safety is compromised, she questions old friendships and finds a new sense of belonging.
Script Consultant - Cathasaigh Ó Fiannachta

Devil In The Gat (scripted drama)
Director / Writer - Taniora Ormsby - He/Him
Consulting Producer - Orlando Stewart -He/Him
Co-Producers - Te Kohe Tuhaka - He/Him, Vanessa Paraki She/Her
Logline: Desperate for his big break, an aspiring musician discovers a forgotten, country singer at a nightclub who may hold the key to his dreams—but the answers come with a dark price.
Script Consultant - Cathasaigh Ó Fiannachta

Fearlessli (documentary)
Director / Writer - Lee Li - She/Her
Producer - Tyler Redmond - He/Him
Logline: Amidst the uncertainty of her future as a transgender asylum seeker, Lee Li navigates unseen struggles and relentlessly advocates for her community, fighting for a future where others like her can call Aotearoa home.
Script Consultant - Sarah Grohnert

Alofa Mai, Alofa Atu (scripted drama)
Director / Writer - Giselle Ilaoa - She/Her
Producer - Carisse Uta’i - She/Her
Logline: A young woman grapples with her repressed sexuality when she reconnects with her childhood friend and must navigate her growing affections.
Script Consultant - Marina McCartney

Gloss Finish (documentary)
Director - Gabi Maffey - She/Her
Producer - Matilda Boese-Wong - She/Her
Logline: A person with sweaty hands searches for a dance partner who, like them, bears the clammy burden of a gloss finish.
Script Consultant - Zoe McIntosh

My New Zealand Family (documentary)
Director / Producer - Shamin Yazdani - She/Her
Producer - Sam Wilton - He/Him
Logline: In the early 90s in a conservative Christchurch, two families from different worlds form an unexpected bond. 2025: the children now in their 30s reflect on their enduring friendship.
Script Consultant - Zoe McIntosh

On Sundays (scripted drama)
Director /Writer - Roxie Mohebbi - She/Her
Produce - Betty Scott Molloy - She/Her
Logline: One Sunday, while waiting for her Mother to visit, Mahsa revisits early childhood memories of coming to New Zealand which help her connect with her stoic Middle Eastern mother.
Script Consultant - Marina McCartney

A big congratulations to our commissioned teams!

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