FIRST ENCOUNTERS: 5th edition of THE BIG SCREEN SYMPOSIUM 2017: Theme of Authenticity and PretenSe in Auckland, New Zealand by Michael Lim

Script to Screen and J&A Productions organised THE BIG SCREEN SYMPOSIUM 2017 with the theme of Authenticity and Pretense over the weekend of 29 September and 1st October in Auckland, New Zealand. Attendees were the creme de la creme of the New Zealand film and TV industry and as well as emerging filmmakers. The highlights for me included the screenwriter of LION, Australian-born Luke Davies and creator of BBCTV’s LUTHER, Neil Cross. The small close-up last session I attended was by HUNT OF THE WILDERPEOPLE producer Carthew Neil who made participants share their 5 most important relationships with producer as voted by us as writers, directors, financier and distributors among other. Other sessions were excellent as well.
It was truly heartening to see staff members of the NZ Film Commission (NZFC) as they sang to paid tribute to departing CEO of NZFC, Dave Gibson after his speech.
There was sponsors booth which included the Writers and Directors and Editors Guild as well as camera rental companies and SHOWTOOLS.
There was not a doubt that all the sessions were driven by passion and the willingness to be candid and share an openness with the audience. These include people from casting to talent agents to distributors as well.
Special thanks to the organisers and hardworking crews for making it a great success in its 5th edition. The potential for it to include more international speakers from Asia is large understated and could be a future thing as the bridge between Asia and the Pacific including Australia reduces through co-production treaty deals between the nations of Australia, New Zealand and Singapore. There's a great meeting of minds here between the community from delegates to speakers and organisers.
My future wish is to see the Symposium travel further in its current format and grow also domestically and can see the potential of it being much larger scale domestically and in international editions in the future but I feel that it will lose its openness and flavour that makes this symposium truly special.
I will wholehearted recommend this symposium to international film people if they are curious about what goes on in New Zealand beyond the mega budget studio films that are shot and made here.
This was my first time attending and you can guarantee without a doubt I will be back for more future editions.
Congratulations to everyone involved in BSS as it is also known as from all delegates and speakers for making this a wonderful experience for me.

December 2017