Silent film awards to be held in Tauranga

International festival composer Nathan Avakian with Baycourt's mighty Wurlitzer Organ which will star in this year's regional awards evening. Photo/supplied

The best up-and-coming filmmakers will be celebrated with a red carpet event at this year's International Youth Silent Film Festival in Tauranga.

Festival organisers and the Baycourt Community and Arts Centre have today confirmed the New Zealand Regional Awards Final will be held on November 22.

This year, 35 entries were accepted for judging and the top 12 silent films have now been selected.

This will be the second festival of its kind in Tauranga after last year's debut set the bar high, Baycourt manager Megan Peacock Coyle said.

"...We were blown away by the quality, craftsmanship and storytelling of this year's batch of films."

Ms Peacock Coyle said if it was not for the films and "wonderful creativity" from the young filmmakers, there would be no competition.

Finalists compete for a total prize pool of $6500 across 10 category awards, with the winners of each category to be chosen by this year's Celebrity Judges - actor, scriptwriter and director Tim Balme, and Bay of Plenty Film chief executive Anton Steel.

All of the Top 12 silent films will be screened during the awards, with each film to feature live musical accompaniment from award-winning organist and the international festival's composer Nathan Avakian who will be playing Baycourt's mighty Wurlitzer Organ on the night.

The 2017 International Youth Silent Film Festival New Zealand regional awards final is on at Baycourt's Addison Theatre on November 22 at 7pm. Tickets cost $12 for adults. Entry is free for children aged 14 and under. Tickets are available from www.ticketek.co.nz or over the counter at Baycourt box office.