Oscar nominee in MG film festival

New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi’s short film Two Cars, One Night has been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short -“ and is showing in this year’s Mardi Gras Film Festival.

Queer Screen programmer Megan Carrigy told Sydney Star Observer it is believed to be the first time an Oscar-nominated film has been shown as part of the festival.

The 13-minute video is about two brothers waiting for their parents in a car outside a pub. One of the boys tries to impress a girl waiting in a car next to them.

He says, -˜My brother, he’s going to grow up to be a poof. You don’t know anyone like that do you?’ Carrigy said. And he says, -˜You are, bro, you’re gonna grow up to be gay, aren’t ya?’ And the little kid looks up from his book and goes -˜probably’. It’s a really, really beautiful queer moment.

Two Cars, One Night is showing in the Queer Youth Shorts segment of the festival -“ a session of films open to audiences 15 years and over.

The film’s 28-year-old director Taika Waititi is best known in New Zealand as Taika Cohen, an award-winning actor and stand-up comedian. For his work as a director, painter and photographer, the artist (of Te Whanau-A-Apanui descent) takes the name Waititi.

Queer Screen came close to screening an Oscar winner last year, when Adam Elliot submitted Harvey Krumpet to the festival.

It wasn’t really queer enough for My Queer Career, even though it was made by a queer filmmaker, Carrigy said.

Two Cars, One Night screens as part of the Queer Youth Shorts session at 5pm on Sunday 27 February at the Academy Twin Cinema, Paddington. Persons 15 years and over will be admitted to this session and bookings can be made on 9645 1611.