A Tauranga directing duo have had their short film selected to open an Oscar-accredited film festival.

Filmmakers Jake and Claire Mokomoko are over the moon that their first-ever short film will show at the Show me Shorts Festival - New Zealand's leading international short film festival.

As first-time filmmakers, securing funding was impossible. But that didn't stop the husband and wife team from forging ahead with their vision.

Hāngi Pants is a comedy based on the tangi of Uncle Tawera and the succession of ex-wives who show up and seek to out-do each other.

'Hāngi Pants is a real life hilarious story based on my mother's memory of witnessing a string of women coming out of the woodworks at a tangi,” says Claire, who co-wrote the story alongside Jake.

'We knew it would make for a funny short film and saw it as an opportunity to follow our passion for telling stories.

'We didn't think twice about funding this ourselves, but it's great to see our work being recognised.”

The cast of Hāngi Pants. Photo: Supplied.

Having attended Film School and worked as a camera operator for over 17 years, Jake's no stranger to the industry.

Now working as an independent Director of Photography, Jake has spent the last four years travelling around the world shooting stories for Amazon Prime and the UFC.

'Without a doubt our drive and determination comes from having six kids and showing them they can achieve anything they set their minds to,” says Jake.

Hāngi Pants will make its world premiere on Friday October 2 at Show Me Shorts Festival Opening Night before screening at multiple locations around the country.

Locals will have to wait until Sunday October 18 when it screens at The Rialto in Tauranga.

The Hāngi Pants trailer can be found here.