Punch selected for European festival
Professor of Art and Design Welby Ings’ feature film Punch has been officially selected in competition for the 26th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), where it will have its international premiere on 22 November.
The prestigious festival, held in Estonia’s capital city of Tallinn from 11 to 27 November, is one of only 14 A-list film festivals accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers Association. Other accredited festivals include Cannes, Venice and Berlin.
With an attendance of 80,000 people annually, Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival is the one of the biggest film festivals in Northern Europe.
Festival Director Tiina Lokk described Punch as having a “consistently high artistic standard,” and said the film “surprises and delights with fresh insight and perspective.”
Punch, which had its national premiere in this year’s Whanau Marama: New Zealand International Film Festival, has already garnered widespread critical acclaim.
The film tells the visually-rich story of Jim, a 17-year-old, small-town boxing hero who carries the hopes and dreams of his alcoholic father on his shoulders. His growing relationship with local takatāpui boy, Whetu, forces him to confront the truth about his sexuality.