FILM SCHOOL'S MATT HENLEY WINS AGAIN

After winning the New Zealand section of the 2007 Kodak Film School competition for his work as director of photography on Manslaughter, one of three films his class made as their final graduation projects, Mr Henley then discovered he had won the Asia Pacific section.

The annual Kodak competition is part of the world Student Filmmaker Programme and is designed to encourage outstanding young filmmakers who specialise in cinematography. Matt Henley’s work was in competition against student films from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan.

Australian cinematographer, Peter James, ACS ASC, judged the Asia Pacific semi-final of the competition, and says the lighting on Manslaughter is amongst the best he’s ever seen on a student film. "The cinematography is first class, of the highest professional standard," he says.

Mr Henley studied film theory at Victoria University before deciding to head to the Film School in 2006 to learn the practical aspects of film making. He says he learned a great deal on the year-long course. The Film School employs film industry professionals to train its students in all aspects of their craft, and Mr Henley says that he particularly valued the skills passed on from cinematographers Adam Clark and Waka Attewell, and that Hamish McIntyre's encyclopaedic knowledge of the camera, lighting and grip departments was invaluable.

As part of his prize Mr Henley won a trip to the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival in February 2008, where the film will be presented at the Kodak Short Film Showcase, along with the winners from the Latin American and North American regions.