Seventeen-year-old Media Studies and Media Club student Quinn, who was also a winner in the 2017 United Nations Plural+ Youth Video Festival, won first place for his animated short film Acceptance, which he drew himself from 1000 post it notes. Quinn’s short film addresses the hardships of immigration through the clever use of sticky notes.
Screen journalist and NZ Web Fest founder, Keith Barclay, who judged this year’s entries, was impressed by the winning film: “The commitment required to complete a film like Acceptance is huge, so kudos to a teenager for sticking with it – and for producing a well-told story,” he commented.
Quinn and all other category winners received $100 prizemoney and a FilmConvert Bundle license worth $320.
We quizzed Quin to find out more about Acceptance, below.
What is your inspiration behind the film?
Quinn Dacre: I wanted to do something different, through the medium of traditional animation. I was really inspired by the idea of each note being individually hand-drawn because the pain you go through makes it more worthwhile. I have always liked naïve art and the messy design styles of hand-drawn animations. At the same time, I wanted the film to feel authentic and human.
What is the film about?
QD: The film was made as a comment on the world events happening today. Acceptance is about the story of every displaced immigrant.
The main feature I wanted to focus on with this film is for it to be understood universally. Plural+ 2017 is a film festival with an emphasis on migration and fighting xenophobia with submissions from 67 countries. I wanted this film to have no barriers, just visualisation with an emotional impact.
What did it feel like to win?
QD: It felt great! It's always nice to know that there is someone out there who appreciates your work. It has only inspired me to keep producing more.
You can watch Quinn's film here.
