Wanaka local Richard Sidey has won this year’s Hiddleston/MacQueen Award for the best New Zealand film in the run up to the 18th NZ Mountain Film and Book Festival.

The Hiddleston/MacQueen Award, named after two late Wanaka adventurers, is presented annually before the Wanaka-based film festival, which has been downsized because of the COVID-19 pandemic but will still take place later this month.

Richard’s film The KFC follows five New Zealanders as they take on a paragliding adventure in Tanzania, with the aim of flying from the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. 

Stunning imagery, experiencing a new culture, adventure and camaraderie make this a quintessential Kiwi tale, the festival organisers said.

“One of the highlights for me was flying places where no one had ever seen a paraglider. Some people came out to see; others ran to hide,” Richard said. 

“Winning the award was totally unexpected, but we are delighted to have the film recognised in this way, as a lot of work goes into a project like this. All the guys pitched in with their own footage which made the film possible, sharing their own stories, as it’s pretty much impossible to stay together when paragliding in a foreign land. 

I hope The KFC inspires people to get outdoors with their friends and have an adventure, and maybe make a film about it too.”

Judge Whitney Oliver said The KFC took top marks. 

“The cinematography was creative, with captivating footage; great pacing with the editing, good energy and balance; the story was fun and definitely carried the spirit of everyman's adventure; great characters and good laughs; and ultimately left me with feelings of joy and inspiration, which I think is a great result for any adventure film.”

The festival trust received over 188 entries in the filmmaker competition; 54 films are included in the programme, including nine world premieres and 13 New Zealand-made films.

The festival is scheduled to run live in five venues in Wanaka and Queenstown from June 26 to 28 and nationally online from June 26 to July 5. 

Find out more information here.