Global education leader SAE Creative Media Institute has stepped up as key sponsor of the Show Me Shorts film festival’s most prestigious prize - Best International Film.

Show Me Shorts is New Zealand’s premiere short film festival, bringing together Kiwi and international films. With almost 50 campuses around the world, it is only fitting that SAE Auckland comes on board with naming rights for Best International Film at this year’s opening ceremony.

The SAE Auckland campus has seen a 100 percent increase in film student numbers this year. With demand so high, coupled with the global recognition of film education, it was a natural and obvious sponsorship fit for SAE.

"Historically SAE has been an audio-focused institute, but with the film industry boom this country has experienced in recent years we have had a significant increase in film student numbers," said Dr Suzette Major, SAE Auckland Campus Director.

"Our film department is going from strength to strength and I want SAE to be fully immersed and involved in what is actually happening in the world of film," she said. "By supporting this event we are in turn supporting the futures of our students, which is something we value deeply."

The Head of Film, Micheal Miller, said it was a fantastic way for students to learn and appreciate film as an international growth sector.

“With campuses all over the world and right here in Auckland, we’re a natural match for an award that brings the best international short films here to New Zealand screens,” said Micheal Miller. “I’m extremely excited to have SAE sponsoring Show Me Shorts best international film award.”

Festival Director Gina Dellbarca is just as excited to have SAE on board.

“We're really pleased to welcome SAE Institute to the Show Me Shorts whanau as the naming rights sponsor for one of our Oscar-accredited awards: SAE Best International Film ” she said. “SAE is a global organisation with extremely high standards, just like Show Me Shorts and our films. We think it's a great fit.”

Entries for this year’s festival close July 1. Visit their website www.showmeshorts.co.nz for more information.

------ENDS------

About SAE

Internationally, SAE is a leading global educator, operating over 50 campuses in 27 countries. Originating as an audio engineering institute in 1976, SAE has evolved to offer world-class qualifications in animation, audio, design, film, gaming and web & mobile. SAE operates one campus in New Zealand, based in Parnell, Auckland. SAE Auckland is an NZQA-accredited, degree-granting tertiary institute, offering workshops, diplomas and degrees in audio production, music production and screen production. In NZQA’s latest External Evaluation and Review (EER), SAE Auckland achieved a Category 1 rating with a Highly Confident in Educational Performance and Highly Confident in Capability in Self-Assessment. This is the highest possible rating that a New Zealand tertiary provider can achieve. SAE is a part of the Navitas group. Further information about SAE is available at www.auckland.sae.edu.

About Navitas

Navitas is an Australian global education leader providing pre-university and university programs, English language courses, migrant education and settlement services, creative media education, student recruitment, professional development and corporate training services to more than 80,000 students across a network of over 100 colleges and campuses in 27 countries. Navitas is an ASX Top 200 Company. Further information about Navitas is available at www.navitas.com.

For further information contact:

Lani Purkis

PR and Media Liaison

SAE Auckland

(+64) 9 373-4712

pr@sae.edu