really enjoyed this as a vibe piece. good suspension build with a twist at the end.

There's nothing better than a Toot Toot film in grand finals, how good were those laughs! Michael and Mark you guys are so funny and we are so lucky to have you in the chch 48 community, not just for all the joy you bring with your films, but everything outside of the competition too. Love you lots!!

After nine years of competing, with many finalist spots and various regional awards under their belt, and with 27 different creatives contributing, weaving in and out of this team over that time, rip focus have prevailed this year as Ōtautahi Christchurch's regional winner! Incredible stuff.

We knew this one would be considered a big tonal swing for this team, and we knew the films strengths would make it a quiet, confident contender for a high score - but we didn't expect it to be recieved by the panel as warmly as it was, and it's always great to see a reliable Christchurch team have it all come together like this.

Here's what this film does that made it stand out this year: it is properly tense, AND it has a real authentic story underneath it. That combination is rarer than it sounds in this competition, rarer still that a team that is more commonly known for it's silly silly fun time would be able to knock it out of the park. That being said, maybe we shouldn't be so surprised - rip focus' 2020 lockdown submission 'QK' is a (self proclaimed) hidden gem that really captures James' ability to write serious, thoughtful work about personal trauma. This years film is actually in many ways a return to form for James, amplified by incredibly impressive newcomers, Stella, Steph and Alice, along with reliable support from Stephen and Fraser.

As Buddy mentions, we did get some tense films, and a few strong thoughtful films this year, but a horror that is actually scary, and that is *about* something when you sit with it afterwards? That's what makes this one stand out. This is one of the first films in a while that has pulled off tense, serious and thoughtful all at once without one of them eating the others. I think that's probably all it was to see this one take off the way it has.

Perhaps more shocking then the win for you guys is that editing nom hahahaha. Like I say, judging be a mystery, but when you have questions coming up like 'how did that camera have enough space for Stella to run in front of it without it colliding into the ladder' and then from the audience questions like 'how does an editing nom go to a film with no cuts' it actually re-enforces the stunning amount of technical work on display to get these scenes flowing together so naturally. The judges don't know this, but here's the fun fact we obviously kept to ourselves about this one, we knew you only had one light to work with, so knowing that and then seeing how you blended each room together to light each moment individually was absolutely outstanding.

And then there's the story itself, another film that invites the audience to step into ones shoes, and equally leaves you with a number of thoughtful questions. The biggest one for me being, 'What do the spooks represent? Is what we're seeing a paranomal experience in the house, or the physical manifestation of the anxiety and trauma the lead is experiencing", after a few watches it's fun to notice how certain moments of dialogue are paired with a spooky moment, and as others have mentioned here too, I appreciate that it wasn't as simple of a relationship as Stephen's the bad bad man throwing ghosts her way, but actually she is so worn down and the situation is so toxic that any little thing she might say to him could be something that opens the ceiling door, and the self deprication of 'I'm just being stupid' can be so real for people in that cycle of abuse.

If I was looking over your shoulder ahead of submission, I would have probably dropped that team intro :P it's a fun tradition, but I think it pulled some audience members out of being able to embrace the whole film for what it was, it setup the idea that we were in for a silly time, and at the heats there were some who laughed initially assuming that's what you were meant to do. Still, it obviously wasn't a drawback for the judges, so this is just a taste thing I suppose.

THE BEST THING: A big congratulations for you all. To end on a slightly different angle, my reflection for the best thing about this film is that James has made some incredible friends. And as you mentioned in your acceptance speech, spending time with friends and having a good time over the weekend is the ultimate goal of this comp - you're lucky to have such talented friends really raising the bar for the team this year, ones that bring perspectives and experiences to the table that deserve championing.

THE NEXT THING: I don't see this team being one that is interested in continually aiming for the tippy top of the competition. Getting there is a huge bonus, but we won't be surprised if you choose to pull a team diversity next year, or worse. You're an audience first kind of team, so whatever you choose to do, we look forward to it!

When I describe this competition to people, I say there are two "big dog" teams in chch, Rabid Aunty Jean and you guys (I say it with excitement and love). I ADORE you guys and am so glad that we have a big dog here for us all to look up to after RAJ abandoned us (I kid). This film will be another that I share with people in years to come as I try to get them to participate; look at what can be produced! It's so slick! So smart! And so funny! I don't want to fall behind for next year, so will have to get started on our script asap ;)

Hell yes team, what a film! Easily my favourite of your three excellent films, and one that I hope makes it way to the national finals. This needs to be blasted as loud as it can at the embassy, so loud that it is heard at the beehive! Such great performances and a fantastic script. I hope the team take the energy from this year and continues to make bigger and better films many years into the future!

Such a special film, so glad to see this at finals. POV is such a difficult genre to pull off, and to bring together something like this is something I massively admire. Have really loved the discussions this has generated with friends, the sorts of discussions you wouldn't typically expect to come out of a 48 hours film. Thank you for sharing this film with us all, it is one I will never forget! Hoping Fruitstorm returns next year, as well as your hilarious work with Toot Toot :)

I have such admiration for y'all! For most teams (rip focus included), comedy is the way to go in this competition. It's easy, risk-free, and with a five-minute limit, it is much easier to make a silly sketch than it is a drama. Here you are back again to make us feel, and once again you've pulled it off! Such a well-made short, I love the way your films look. They're so clean! You capture beauty in the mundane so well!

I seriously have to thank you, team, for making films like this. It is teams like Screen Qweens that really inspired us to give a serious film a go. We have enough comedy in this competition! That being said, I'm so here for a Screen Qweens comedy. I'm here for anything! Look forward to watching whatever you cook up on the big screen again next year :)

God I LOVED this movie!! Such a treat to watch at the heats and again at the finals. It is such a classic 48 hours banger. The delivery of some of those lines make me laugh as I write this. And the punch bowl gag is gold, what a moment and what a film!

Can not believe you beat me for best editing!! End of review.

Just kidding. Actually, I don't know if you heard me since you were at the front and I was at the back of the theatre, but I was the loudest cheer when you won best editing. SO happy for you and so happy to see this at entx after you were robbed last year (was also so relieved I didn't win because wow).

Herms, Toot Toot, and Planet Fox are my absolute favourite teams, not just because they make me giggle, but because of the spirit they bring to the competition. Adore everything you've done over the past few years. I will cherish my 3d glasses for years to come. I really hope you continue to enter no matter where on earth you find yourselves! Love you James and co!