13 Awards Distributed

The Festival attracted over 200 artists from all over New Zealand plus international guests, many of whom attended the Awards Ceremony on Sunday 27 March. Thirteen awards were presented in recognition of outstanding achievement in each art form as well as general awards, culminating in the Best of the Fringe which was awarded to Footnote Dance for their production Hullapolloi.

The Festival coordinated a group of nine judges to see all Festival events. The awards were judged according to their level of innovation, experimentation, standard of presentation, and engagement. Festival Director, Paul Smith, said with so many talented acts it was a difficult task for the judges. "The most popular acts are not always the most innovative and the criteria prioritises innovation over attendence levels."

"The production of Hullapolloi was a challenging work for both the dancers and the audience. The dancers were in full body suits that came up over their heads which meant they had to dance by sound and touch. The piece was engaging and provocative generating ongoing dialogue and debate."

"There were many other stand-out works in the Festival and I would like to congratulate all the artists involved for what they have achieved. The Festival brought an amazing array of art to the public and created a fantastic atmosphere in the city. The Dunedin Fringe Festival presented a well coordinated programme of high quality innovative art that engaged a significant proportion of the population." 

Actual audience numbers will not be available for some weeks as the Festival gathers information from the many artists involved.

THE AWARD WINNERS:

BEST COMEDY – Harpur’s Bizarre: Immortal Combat by Sarah Harpur
Nominees:  I’m Sorry I Said That by Irene Pink & Justine Smith, Wilson Dixon’s American Dream

BEST DANCE – Capturing Other by Beautiful Sake Productions
Nominees: Hullapolloi by Footnote Dance, Chocolate Zucchini Cookies by Dance Lab

BEST MUSIC – Lines of Flight by Metonymic Trust
Nominees: No Depression (In New Zealand) by The Eastern Family, Master’s Curious Delirium by Bird Wizdom

BEST THEATRE – Once Was… by The Theatre As Is
Nominees: Mates & Lovers by Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand, The Visitor by Sit n Spin Productions

BEST OUTDOOR – Animae by Erica Duthie & Struan Ashby

Nominees: Tablo Presents! by The Notional Theatre Company, Chocolate Zucchini Cookies by Dance Lab

BEST VISUAL ARTS – Bloodlines and Bloodstains by Desi Liversage
Nominees: Don’t Look by Complete Protection, Half by The Branch

BEST FRINGE INVENTION – Jumboots by Jarn Bulling
Nominees: Critter Cage Jacket by Matt Neumegen, Seat Hoggers by Kina Hewat
 

BEST PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN The Branch – Half
Nominees: Mates and Lovers by Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand, I’m Sorry I Said That by Irene Pink & Justine Smith

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – Drowning in Veronica Lake by Flaxworks
Nominees: Love You Approximately by The Clinic, Capturing Other by Beautiful Sake Productions

MOST PROMISING WORK – The Visitor by Sit'n Spin Productions 
Nominees: Capturing Other by Beautiful Sake Productions, Once Was by The Theatre As Is

MOST ORIGINAL CONCEPT – The Fullness of Empty Pockets by Colleen Altagracia
Nominees: Capturing Other by Beautiful Sake Productions, Don’t Look by Complete Protection

STAND OUT PERFORMER – Sarah Iwaskow in Capturing Other
Nominees: Paora Taurima & Simon K Leary in Mates and Lovers, Alex Ellis in Drowning in Veronica Lake, Campbell Kneale in Our Love Will Destroy the World

BEST OF FRINGE – Hullapolloiby Footnote Dance

Nominees: Mates and Lovers by Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand, Lines of Flight by Metonymic Trust