Astonishing tales of love, loss, and regret, an artist's unwavering sacrifice for their magnum opus, a vengeful bride seeking justice, and a mysterious, red-eyed creature lurking in the shadows of a darkened bedroom.

These are just a handful of the captivating stories awaiting audiences when the top 16 films of the International Youth Silent Film Festival - IYSFF - New Zealand National competition premiere at the NZ Awards Final which returns to Baycourt Community & Arts Centre in Tauranga on Thursday, November 2.

Organisers are also delighted to announce that for the first-time ever admission to the annual awards ceremony will be free – but you must register to secure your spot.

To reserve up to 10 seats at the final simply register online at www.baycourt.co.nz/iysff

The task of selecting the finalists from a remarkable pool of 34 submissions fell on the shoulders of an illustrious judging panel, made up of six current and former film industry professionals.

With deliberations now done and dusted, the Kiwi organisers are proud to announce the top 16 films for 2023 are:

• Atelophobia – Zoe Samson (Tauranga Girls' College, Tauranga)
• Be Careful What You Wish For – Heidi Korhonen, Clair Atkinson, Charlotte Tanner, Iris Williams (Christchurch Rudolf Steiner School, Christchurch)
• Crowded Thoughts – Savahna Munro (Tauranga Girls' College, Tauranga)
• Crystals in the Shadows – Ella Lambert (Tauranga Girls' College, Tauranga)
• Elf on the Shelf – Katy McLeod, Lucy Rout, Faenza Ricardi (Ōtūmoetai College, Tauranga)
• Girl in Canvas – Maea Wikohika (Tauranga Girls' College, Tauranga)
• Her – Tearani Wikohika, Yasmin Austwick, Sienna Burns (Tauranga Girls' College, Tauranga)
• I Didn't Do It! – Finn Nicholson, Isaac Ussher, Isaac Upreti, Mila Goodwin, Harvey Oemcke, Billy Sadd, Indie Woolsey, Isla Mills, Pippi Cleland, Temaia Ihaia (Pahoia School, Tauranga)
• Lover's Waltz – Leah Swindells (Tauranga Girls' College, Tauranga)
• Mother's Day Surprise – Daisy Cooper (Homeschool, Te Puke)
• Mums Star – Malachi Steel (Home school, Whakatāne)
• Red Eyes – Shakeel Roa, Corey Bates (Tauranga)
• Shelf Life – Amelia Walshe, Sophie Hampson, Esther Schubert, Max Norwood (Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington)
• The Journey – Ben Spies, Toby Holwill, Loki Wardlaw, Lachlan Muriwai (Kapiti College, Paraparaumu)
• The Last Goodbye – Jayden Dent, Drew Bryan, Benji Wallis, Zen Miyanami (Ōtūmoetai College, Tauranga)
• The Swap – Bede Miller (St Andrew’s College, Christchurch)

Taking on the mantle of this year’s head judge is filmmaker, producer, and the first-ever IYSFF NZ winner Micah Winiata - Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāti Porou -  who was tasked with the responsibility of selecting this year’s top three films.

The annual IYSFF competition challenges Kiwi filmmakers, aged 22 and under, to create a three-minute silent film set to one of 10 musical scores specifically composed for the festival.

This unique fusion of music and visuals takes viewers on an unforgettable journey, relieving filmmakers from the pressure of recording dialogue and audio.

This year's finalists are all competing for a cash prize pool of $3,000, which will be awarded to the top three films.

These awards are generously sponsored by Priority One Tauranga (first place), Tauranga City Council (second place), and Bay of Plenty Actors Studio (third place). Additionally, there are also six 'Best Of' category awards up for grabs.

In an exciting twist, the New Zealand competition organisers have also introduced the new Kōhungahunga – Fledgling Filmmaker Award, which celebrates the artistry of filmmakers aged 12 and under and is proudly sponsored by Film Bay of Plenty.

The top two films, along with the new Kōhungahunga – Fledgling Filmmaker winner, will all automatically represent New Zealand at the annual IYSFF Global Awards in Portland, Oregon, USA, scheduled for June 2024.

“Experiencing the NZ Awards for the first time live in 2022 helped cement for me what an incredible opportunity this competition provides for young Kiwi creatives. The IYSFF is an important date in our annual program, and we're delighted to continue our support into its eighth year and beyond,” said Baycourt manager Reena Snook.

Since its Aotearoa debut at Baycourt in 2016, five Kiwi films have received international acclaim at the Global Awards. Notable victories include Crash, The Climb, and Overexposed," clinching first-place awards in 2023, 2022, and 2019, respectively. "The Chase" secured second place in 2018, and "A Random Act of Kindness" claimed third place in 2019.

With such a rich history, Reena is confident the 2023 IYSFF NZ National Finalists will continue this tradition of excellence.

“Get ready for an exhilarating night as we announce all of this year’s awards live at finals ceremony, hosted by The Breeze Tauranga morning show stars, Jolene James and Max Baird, and IYSFF NZ 2022 first and second place winners Ben Young and Sveta Hackett.

“We cannot wait to share our filmmakers’ incredible stories and creativity with everyone. It will be a night of pure excitement, so don't miss this opportunity to witness the next generation of filmmaking talent in New Zealand!” added Reena.

The IYSFF NZ Nationals 2023 is proudly delivered with the generous support of major sponsors Priority One Tauranga, Tauranga City Council, and Bay of Plenty Actors Studios, and major media partner MediaWorks.

The International Youth Silent Film Festival New Zealand National Awards Final 2023 is on at Baycourt Community and Arts Centre’s Addison Theatre on Thursday, November 2, 7pm. Entry is free, but registrations are essential.

To reserve your seats  - 10 max - please register online at www.baycourt.co.nz/iysff