Article in the Indian Newslink
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https://indiannewslink.co.nz/wellington-athlete-to-judge-2024-youth-olympic-medal-design-contest/
Feb 24 2023
ABOUT
‘Ink and Gold: An Artist’s Journey to Olympic Glory’ is a short form documentary that follows the journey of New Zealand artist and athlete, Zakea Page, winning the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games medal design competition and fulfilling a lifelong dream to perform at the opening ceremonies.
The film was shot over the course of one week in Lausanne, Switzerland, at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games and weaved together with self-taped footage of Zakea’s younger years as an athlete and artist. Accompanied with interviews of his family, ‘Ink and Gold’ highlights the connection between art and sport in bringing together peoples of diverse cultures and backgrounds to bridge barriers of language and foster connections, mutual understanding, and respect for one another. It also aims to dismantle the requirements of young people to choose between the two.
The story, artwork and design work in the film are a reflection of Mr. Page’s non-traditional upbringing as the child of international teachers and the many different cultures and experiences he was exposed to in New Zealand, Kuwait, Viet Nam, England, Bangladesh and China. These experiences are the foundation for his medal design, entitled “Beauty in Diversity”, to embody the Olympic celebration of respect, friendship and excellence, honouring every athlete's (and in this case, artist’s) journey
to the Games.
Throughout his childhood, the ideals of the Olympic movement inspired Zakea. The film beautifully encapsulates the initiative of Pierre de Coubertin to combine muscles and mind. Known as the father of the modern Olympic Games, de Coubertin believed that athletic competition promotes understanding across cultures to better demonstrate the spirit of sportsmanship which properly considers fairness, ethics, respect and a sense of fellowship.
“The important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle, the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” - Pierre de Coubertin
This idea of the importance in ‘the struggle to overcome’ was further cemented when Zakea discovered the works of American poet and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou, who worked to educate others on the importance of valuing human diversity. This focus made it all the more important for Mr. Page to surround himself with the diverse, inclusive and multicultural production team from New Zealand, England, India and America.
A poetic and uplifting portrait of a young man looking for connection with humanity combining art and sport in expressive form, Ink and Gold is filled with hope and the limitless possibility of tomorrow.
VISION
A message from the Director
As a child, it was always a dream of mine to win an Olympic medal. Designing the medals and performing at the 2020 Lausanne Youth Olympic Games was both a humbling and invaluable experience in which I realised the value of risk-taking, rising to meet a challenge, and taking part in the Games.
It is my belief that sport and art require a strong drive for excellence, dedication, and detail. Having traveled around the world, I witnessed how art and sport both bring together communities and people of diverse backgrounds. Artistry and competition bridge barriers of language and foster connections, mutual understanding, and respect for one another.
Drawing synergy from both art and sport, my performance at the Opening Ceremony was a statement against the stereotypical art vs sports dichotomy that New Zealand youth are very often forced into.
The documentary highlights the connection between art and sport to demonstrate that investing in both is culturally beneficial for New Zealand, the world of sport, and humanity. It is an opportunity to share what I learned and experienced - a reflection on my individual Olympic journey and the fact that we are all multi-faceted beings. It is my hope that the audience develops a deeper understanding of the beliefs and values that went into my performance - values that align with the Olympic movement which I take pride in as an artist, an athlete, and a New Zealander:
Innovation, creativity, and an appreciation for beauty in diversity.
TRAILER
NEWS
Come back soon to read the latest news!
Feb 24 2023
22 and counting... we could not be more proud!
We received two ‘Awards of Merit’ - our 22nd Best Documentary Short as well as our 4th Best Editor - at the Accolade Global Film Competition based out of La Jolla, California. We were truly humbled and honoured as the…
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Feb 23 2023
Just reached our 21st win at film festivals for Best Documentary Short Film!
Our 19th, 20th and 21st wins for Best Documentary Short Award at the Tekka International Film Festival in Singapore, the Indo Singapore International Film Festival, and the Nitiin International Film Festival in Malaysia! Plus, we picked up another Best Editor… Read more
Feb 12 2023
18 is our lucky number this week as we won our 18th 'Best Documentary Short' award of the year!
We are incredibly humbled to have won a total of 18 'Best Documentary Short' awards in more territories around the globe with nine more:
• Critics Choice Award at the Qatar Indie Film Festival
• Doha Independent Film Festival in…
Feb 5 2023
Our 23rd 'Official selection' and new awards taking us to 14!!!
We are holding our winning streak!!
We have been notified of our 23rd festival Official Selection with 14 awards now including 9 Best Documentary Short awards. The newest awards are from the following festivals:
- Gwangju International Film Festival in South…
Jan 28 2023
2023 has been very kind, indeed! 11th Official Selection of the year in the Havelock International Film Festival.
On a roll with our 11th Official Selection of the year in the Havelock International Film Festival.
Again, we truly appreciate all of the support and recognition our film is receiving!
Jan 27 2023
10th Official Selection of the year in the Santa Dev International Film Festival
Keep ‘em coming! 10th Official Selection of the year in the Santa Dev International Film Festival.
Many thanks to the festival organizers and judging committee for selecting our project.
Jan 27 2023
Chalk up another win for Best Documentary Short at the International Film Festival Belgium!
Our 4th win of the year for 'Best Documentary Short Film' at the International Film Festival Belgium!
We could not be happier and would like to extend many, many thanks to the festival organizers and judging committee for selecting our…
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Jan 27 2023
9th Official Selection of the year in the International World Film Awards
January is holding steady as we were given our 9th Official Selection of the year at the International World Film Awards based out of Slovakia.
The International World Film Awards is an IMDb Qualifing Festival, organized once a year to…
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Jan 25 2023
Updated to Quarter Finalist for the South Pacific Film Festival!
Huge thanks to Jo and Chris for moving us to Quarter Finalist - Best NZ Short Film category in the next phase of the South Pacific Film Festival. They have been very communicative and a complete pleasure to work with…
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Jan 21 2023
Our 8th Official Selection of the year for the International Film Festival Belgium!
We are happy to announce our 8th Official Selection of the year, again for Best Documentary Short, at the International Film Festival Belgium.
Many thanks to the festival organizers and judging committee for selecting our project.
Jan 19 2023
Official Selection into Wisdom Tree International Film Festival
January is holding strong as we were invited to enter and declared an Official Selection for 'Best Short Film' in the Wisdom Tree International Film Festival.
Again, we could not be happier. The team associated with this festival has been…
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Jan 13 2023
Official Selection into our first New Zealand festival - South Pacific Film Festival
We could not be more excited to announce that we have been selected into the South Pacific Film Festival, our first Kiwi film festival!
The mid season festival is at the end of March 2023 in Ruby Bay and Motueka…
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Jan 12 2023
Official Selection for the 4 theatre selection Festival and award competition
We were given Official Selection status by the '4 theatre selection' festival and award competition.
Many thanks to the festival organizers and committee for recognizing our film. Here's hoping it does well in the festival!
Jan 12 2023
Another Best Documentary Short Award from Poombukar International Film Festival
We truly appreciate all of the support and recognition for the 'Best Documentary Short' at Poombukar International Film Festival
Many thanks to the Festival organizer and judges for their consideration.
Jan 8 2023
'Official Selection' #3 - Accolade Global Film Competition
'Ink and Gold' is honoured to achieve it's 3rd 'Official Selection' at the Accolade Global Film Competition in La Jolla, California on 28 February 2023.
Very excited to be selected as a part of this competition that has been running…
Jan 8 2023
Award Winner - Rohip International Film Fest
Update: We are honoured to have won the Best Documentary Short Special Mention award!
'Ink and Gold' is an official selection for 'Best Documentary Short Film' the inaugural year of Rohip International Film Festival in Kallal, Tamil Nadu, India. Excited…
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Jan 8 2023
2023 Begins With A Bang!
We are truly honoured to win the Best Documentary Short Award at the Indo French International Film Festival in Pondicherry, India, as well as now being nominated for the prestigious Golden Yazhi Award.
This festival, in its second year, is…
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Awards
2023 Film Festival Official Selection & Awards
• 4theatre selection (Italy) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Accolade Global Film Competition (CA, US) - Best Documentary Short & Best Editing Awards
• Boden International Film Festival (Sweden) - Semi-Finalist Best Documentary Short
• Cambodia Film Festival (Cambodia) - Official Selection
• Dilmun International Film Festival (Bahrain) - Best Documentary Short & Best Poster Awards
• Doha Independent Film Festival (Qatar) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Emiratis Film Festival (Oman) - Official Selection
• Golden Nugget International Film Festival (London, UK) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Gulf Tiger International Film Festival (United Arab Emirates) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Gwangju International Film Festival (Republic of Korea) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Havelock International Film Festival (India) - Best Documentary Short, Best Director, Best Editor & Best Producer Awards
• Indo French International Film Festival (India) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Indo Singapore International Film Festival (India) - Best Documentary Short, Best Editor & Best Concept Awards
• International Film Festival Belgium (Belgium) - Best Documentary Short Award
• International Online Web Fest (Italy) - Best Documentary Short, Best Young Director & Best Original Song Awards, as well as
Nominee for Best Editor, Best Cinematographer & Best Sound Design Awards
• International World Film Awards (Slovakia) - Official Selection
• Lion city International Film Festival (Singapore) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Liverpool Indie Awards // LIA (UK) - Official Selection
• Muscat International Film Festival (Oman) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Nitiin International Film Festival (Malaysia) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Osaka International Film Festival (Japan) - Official Selection
• Paris Short Film Festival (France) - Official Selection / To be screened & judged in 2024
• Poombukar Independent Film Festival (India) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Qatar Indie Film Festival (Qatar) - ‘Critics Choice’ Best Documentary Short Award
• Rohip International Film Festival (India) - ‘Special Mention’ Best Documentary Short Award
• San Antonio Independent Film Festival (Ecuador) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Santa Dev International Film Festival (India) - Best Documentary Short & Best Editing Awards
• Saudi Arabia International Film Festival (Saudi Arabia) - Best Documentary Short Award
• South Pacific Film Festival / NZ Independent Film Festival (New Zealand) - Quarterfinalist, Best NZ Short Award
• Stockholm City Film Festival (Sweden) - Official Selection
• Suwon-Si International Film Festival (Republic of Korea) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Tekka International Film Festival (Singapore) - Best Documentary Short Award
• The IndieFEST Film Awards (CA, USA) - Official Selection
• Tylos International Film Festival (Bahrain) - Best Documentary Short Award
• Wisdom Tree International Film Festival (India) - Official Selection
Screenings & Events
NZ Independent Film Festival screenings (part of South Pacific Film Festival) includes shorts from 6 continents. Entry at 6.30 and screening starts at 7pm. This will be our 2nd screening in New Zealand. ‘Ink and Gold: An Artist’s Journey to Olympic Glory’ will also be up for an Audience Award alongside a place in the festival finals in August held in Nelson and Wellington. So if you or anyone you know is around Nelson at the end of March, please feel free to drop in, view our film, and support the festival!
$17.60