NZ short film to compete at Cannes festival

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New Zealand short film Closer has been selected for competition at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in France.

Directed by Wellingtonian David Rittey, Closer is the story of Nathan, a deaf teenager trying to cope in the wake of the death of his sister.

Ten international shorts will compete for the short film Palme d'Or. Closer is the first New Zealand short to make the competition since Infection in 2001.

David Rittey will travel to Cannes for the competition screening of Closer, which will double as its world premiere.

"This sort of recognition is the kind of thing you hope might happen one day, so it's overwhelming for me that it's happened so early in my career," Rittey said in a statement.

"It's the best reward I can offer the other people who worked so hard on the film, particularly for the deaf community and Toby Agnew who played the main role."

The Cannes Film Festival takes place from May 12-23.

Rittey is not the only New Zealander in competition at Cannes this year. Shrek 2, by US-based New Zealander Andrew Adamson, is one of 18 feature films in competition at the festival.

- NZPA