Festival NEWS......

Photographer makes a splash winning

Olympus Auckland Photo  Day

Photography enthusiast  Manuel Toribio of Devonport made clever use of his girlfriend's camera self timer to capture himself diving off the wharf at Stanley Bay and has taken first prize in the twenty four hour competition with his image called "The Flight".

Manuel was one of hundreds of photographers who participated in the event, submitting  over 800 photography entries to be judged. 

 The judging panel of Ron Brownson, (senior curator Auckland Art Gallery) Kellie Blizard (chief photographer, The Aucklander), and freelance photographer Jocelyn Carlin all agreed Manuel's entry stood out to them right from the beginning.

"This is a winning image, it expresses aspiration, it's uplifting and represents all that's positive about living in this region. All the rewards of risk are apparent here, gathered in a great moment" the judges said.

Manuel is a 25 year old Argentine national and is working as barista and waiter in Devonport while he waits for his New Zealand residency.

"The Festival programmes were dropped in at the restaurant where I work and I thought I'd love to give it a go, so I borrowed my girlfriend's camera. I was third time lucky with this shot" he said. "I spend my spare time enjoying my days in  Auckland,  I just love it here. I can't believe I've won the top prize."

Festival Director, Julia Durkin, says Manuel is a perfect winner for the sponsor's 1^st prizes "with his talent  he obviously needs his own camera and now he is an owner of  a great Olympus digital SLR plus a Nitro Coffee machine from Gravity Coffee.  He's a deserving winner of the 5^th annual Auckland Photo Day."

The winning photographer will win 1st prize package:

  and  

An Olympus E-410 DSLR with 14-42mm and 40-150mm lenses (Twin Lens Kit) and joint first prize isNitro Coffee Machine - total joint prize value over $4000!

And more news - The NBR Awards for Sponsorship of the Arts have selected Olympus Auckland Photo Day as a finalist in this year's Awards.

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Auckland Festival of Photography recognised as a regional asset

Press Release courtesy of North Shore City Council:

Arts projects benefit from funding by North Shore City Council

North Shore City Council's Grants Assessment Subcommittee was pleased to
announce it has allocated a total of $400,000 to seven arts projects of
regional significance from our city's share of the Auckland Regional
Services Trust Arts (ARST) fund.

Of the 20 expressions of interest received from across the region's arts
sector, seven were found to fit the eligibility criteria requiring projects
to be of regional significance and/or to contribute to the ongoing
development of the region's arts infrastructure. The seven successful
applicants cover a range of different disciplines; including theatre,
writing, photography and contemporary dance.

The chairperson of the subcommittee, Margaret Miles, says the council is
excited to be able to support key arts organisations and projects in this
way as they add cultural richness and vibrancy to the whole region.
"Many important arts groups and ventures struggle financially, so this
ARST fund allocation will play an important role in developing and cementing
a rich and varied arts programme that all Aucklanders can enjoy.
"These grants help established groups to continue with their projects,
assists emerging artists to build a firmer financial foundation and
increases the public profile of the arts across the region."
North Shore City Mayor Andrew Williams also supports the regional
allocations adopted this time around. "We look forward to a stronger arts
sector, not only in our city, but across the wider region as a result of
these grants."