Damsel in this dress

We had a blast making this film with our wonderful friends. We were convinced our green screen roof fight scene would be a disaster but it ended up being our fave part. So silly and ridiculous. We hope you have fun watching it too.

I went and found my notes from the first time I watched this cuz it wasn't on the screening room yet and I didn't wanna forget to review this brilliance. They're scrawled roughly across the page in short barely legible writing cuz I didn't wanna look away and read - "LOOLLLLL, LOVE! Nipple grip! The 3rd dress! Not the double bass! Lol the gun. Shot her with an arrow! The 4th dress! Is the queen wearing the dress? The blood face after the flicked bullet! Gingerbread ninja stars! Intentional penis shot? I love excessive violence over such important issues!"

Anyway haha, I have not forgotten your film. I am really bummed you weren't shortlisted but I'm also enjoying sending this on to my friends.

Before 48 hours, I wasn't much of a short film watcher, so watching the vast array of films that come through the competition has been an amazing experience. I'm in awe at the layers and depth people can get into a 5 minute story. Those films have a way of lingering with you after watching them.

But so do films that are unapologetically themselves. A bloodbath of matching dress driven chaos! This film is exactly what it intended to be, and I LOVE it.

As far as long, chaotic fights go, I think you paced it well, too. There were little pauses or slowed down moments here or there that gave us a second to have a break before escalating it again, allowing us to enjoy the esculation without becoming overwhelmed. It was cartoonishly brutal (and I mean that as a compliment). I loved the green screen fight on the roof too.

Plus! The easter eggs! We love a tusken raider moment (nailed the cry)!

I imagine the shortlist today maybe felt confusing or disappointing. Auckland seems like quite a competitive region to be a part of. But please know that your film is adored, gave us so many laughs, and is now giving more people laughs. I think there's a lot of value in giving an audience so much enjoyment. Thank you for giving that to us. I hope it was as fun to make as it was to watch :)