Latest News
5 STARS at SCREAMFEST!
October 30, 2020
April's film The Last Man on Earth gets top billing and a 5 star review from Jason Coleman of WHY SO BLU? and is then subsequently voted Best Short Film at SCREAMFEST (the largest and longest running horror film festival in the US).
FilmQuest Official Selection
September 16, 2019
April's film The Last Man on Earth has been selected to screen in Utah in the Spring of 2021 as part of the FilmQuest international film festival.
The Last Man on Earth at German Science Fair
October 14, 2020
The curator of Sci-Fi London film festival selected April's film The Last Man on Earth to appear at the Silbersalz Science and Media Festival in Halle, Germany as part of the festival's Wildcard section. "The connection between real science and fiction is essential to hold a mirror up to current socio-political, economic and environmental issues, as well as play with possible outcomes from our choices and the advancement of technology. These short-films have been curated by SCI-FI-LONDON, each chosen to entertain and encourage discussion, to provoke and provide you food-for-thought."
"Rare" makes it to Top 100
June 09, 2020
April's horror screenplay "Rare" has made it to the Top 100 in the Emerging Screenwriters
"Shoot Your Short" competition.
Screamfest, Hollywood - October 2020
October 07, 2020
April's film The Last Man on Earth, will screen at Screamfest in Hollywood, the largest and longest running horror film festival in the United States. The screening will be the film's L.A. Premiere. The festival usually takes place at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, but due to the pandemic, the festival will have live Drive-In movie showings. TLMOE will screen on Thursday 8th October.
Multiple Awards at Best Shorts Film Competition
January 02, 2020
April's film "The Last Man on Earth" has received the following awards from the Best Shorts film competition, L.A.
Award of Excellence: Actor: Leading (Shane Bartle as Carter)
Award of Excellence: Actor: Supporting (Duncan Armstrong as Max)
Award of Excellence: Actress: Leading (Greer Phillips as Annie Harper)
Award of Excellence: Disability Issues (April Phillips)
Award of Excellence Special Mention: Women Filmmakers (April Phillips)
Top Award at WorldFest Houston!
January 07, 2020
April's film "The Last Man on Earth" has been awarded with the top prize at the 53rd WorldFest in Houston. The Special Jury Award.
London Calling!
January 01, 2020
April's film "The Last Man on Earth" has been selected for the London Sci-Film Festival.
"The Last Man on Earth" in North Hollywood
February 16, 2020
April's film "The Last Man on Earth" will screen at the North Hollywood Cinefest in April 2020.
WINNER: Festigious Success for "The Last Man on Earth"
February 05, 2020
BEST DIRECTOR; BEST SCI-FI FILM, BEST ORIGINAL STORY
Festigious Success for "The Last Man on Earth"
February 02, 2020
We're thrilled to announce that April's latest film "The Last Man on Earth" is an OFFICIAL SELECTION for the FESTIGIOUS film awards.
More Awards for "The Last Man on Earth"
February 02, 2020
We're thrilled to announce that April's latest film "The Last Man on Earth" is WINNER of the BEST SCI-FI award at the L.A. Film Awards (LAFA) and that April also received an HONORABLE MENTION: DIRECTOR award.
Gold for "The Last Man on Earth"
December 15, 2019
We're thrilled to announce that April's latest film "The Last Man on Earth" has been selected for the Gold Movie Awards, London.
6 Awards at Independent Shorts Awards
August 03, 2019
We're thrilled to announce that April's latest film "The Last Man on Earth" has garnered 6 awards at the Independent Shorts Awards, Los Angeles, 2019. Gold Awards include Best Women Short and Best Supporting Actor for Duncan Armstrong. Silver Awards are for Best Director (Female) for April Phillips and Best Sci-Fi Short. Bronze Awards go to April Phillips for Best Original Story and to composer Tane Upjohn-Beatson for Best Original Score. Congratulations to the cast and crew.
Recognition at the Golden Fern Awards
October 29, 2019
April's film "Utu Pihikete" was recognised at the 11th Chinese Film Festival in New Zealand and the first Golden Fern Awards at Wellington's stunning Roxy Cinema. "Utu Pihikete" has previously screened in 3 centres and to tens of thousands of viewers in China at the New Zealand Film Festival in China.
"The Last Man on Earth" Finalist at Rhode Island
August 03, 2019
We're thrilled that our film "The Last Man on Earth" has been judged a Finalist at the prestigious Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival.
Latest film completed - The Last Man on Earth
May 23, 2019
Post production on April's latest film has been completed and the film will now be submitted to the top international and local film festivals.
The Retro Pack at Circa Theatre
July 22, 2019
The Retro Pack at Circa Theatre, Wellington with "Jazz on Broadway". Starring April Phillips, Andrew London, James Cameron, Greg Crayford, Oscar Laven. 23 to 27 July.
Wellington Jazz Festival - "Tunes With Views"
June 08, 2019
April sings as part of the Wellington Jazz Festival at the Cable Top Eatery, Kelburn, Wellington - jazz tunes with the best views in town. Free admission.
Wellington Jazz Festival - The Retro Pack
June 06, 2019
April and The Retro Pack perform at Kapiti Playhouse as part of the Wellington Jazz Festival 2019 with a new show, "Jazz on Broadway"
Musical Antipasto
May 23, 2019
April is appearing in this one-off variety show at Cable Top Eatery, Wellington for Wing It Productions.
April co-producer of "A Rippon Good Night!"
May 12, 2019
April partners up with MC and comedienne Pinky Agnew to bring you a Wellington theatre first - a benefit variety concert to raise funds for fellow actor and friend, Todd Rippon and his wife Pippa while he undergoes chemo. This concert at Wellington's Circa Theatre is now sold out and features over 40 stars of New Zealand stage and in addition to producing the show, April and Pinky also appear on stage - Pinky as MC and April with her band, The Retro Pack.
Femme Natale 2 - the sketch comedy show returns
April 25, 2019
The hit comedy stage show Femme Natale returns to Bats Theatre, Wellington.
April's new film in post production
July 31, 2018
Principal photography on April's new film, sci-fi thriller "The Last Man on Earth" has been completed and now the post production process begins. Starring Shane Bartle, Greer Phillips and Duncan Armstrong. Filmed on location at Avalon TV & Film Studios, Wellington, New Zealand.
Best Director award, New York
June 18, 2018
April has been awarded Best Director at the Short Film Awards, New York (SOFIES). Her film "R.E.M." had been nominated in 7 categories including April for best writing, actress and director. The film was up fabulous competition including the Oscar winning film "The Silent Child".
"Femme Natale" returns due to popular demand
July 02, 2018
April appears in the return season of Fingal Pollock's sketch comedy show "Femme Natale" at Bats Theatre in Wellington from 3 to 6 July 2018.
"Utu Pihikete" film in China
April 13, 2018
April's film "Utu Pihikete" (writer, co-producer, actress) has been selected to screen at 3 centres in the People's Republic of China, proudly alongside some stellar Kiwi movies. Congratulations to the cast and crew.
April appears in sketch comedy show "Femme Natale"
May 22, 2018
April appears in Fingal Pollock's sketch comedy show "Femme Natale" at Bats Theatre in Wellington from 23 to 26 May 2018.
7 Nominations at SOFIES, New York
February 04, 2018
April's film "REM" has received multiple nominations at the Short Film Awards (SOFIES), New York. Nominations are: Outstanding Technical Work, Best Editing (Nick Swinglehurst), Best Writing (April Phillips), Best Actress (April Phillips), Best Actor (Chris Ryan), Best Director (April Phillips), Best Narrative Short Film (April Phillips/Godiva Productions). Fingers crossed!!
Outstanding Achievement Award
December 28, 2017
Playwrights Association of New Zealand (PANZ) has awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award 2017 to April Phillips for multiple productions of her plays.
Winner at Fantastic Planet, Sydney
December 02, 2017
April's film "REM" is the winner of the Independent Spirit Award at the 2017 Fantastic Planet genre film festival in Sydney. April attended the red carpet event to accept the award.
SWANZ Awards 2017 Finalist
September 27, 2017
"Blind Eye", April's feature film adaptation of her stage play of the same name, is a finalist in the 2017 Screen Writers' Awards New Zealand (SWANZ) in the Unproduced Screenplay category.
Best Actress Nomination at Madrid
July 01, 2017
2 nominations at the Madrid International Film Festival 2017 for Best Lead Actress and Best Original Screenplay for April's short film "REM".
Fantasia Film Festival screening
July 21, 2017
Quel honneur.! "REM" will screen at the 21st Fantasia International Film Festival in Montreal. ""THE MOST IMPORTANT AND PRESTIGIOUS GENRE FILM FESTIVAL ON THIS CONTINENT." - Quentin Tarantino. April is absolutely thrilled to be selected for this festival.
A Platinum Win at the 50th Worldfest Houston!
April 28, 2017
April's short film "REM" wins a Platinum REMI Award at the prestigious 50th Worldfest film festival in Houston.
Award for Excellence Special Mention at Indiefest
April 23, 2017
April's short film "REM" has been awarded an Award for Excellence Special Mention at this year's Indiefest Film Festival Awards.
BlueCat Semi-Finals
July 31, 2017
April's horror film "Rare" has made it to the semi-finals of the BlueCat Screenplay Competition. There are 30 semifinalists out of a total of 1075 submissions so that's pretty neat.
Horror Hound selection at Cincinnati
March 18, 2017
April's film "REM" has been selected to screen at the terrifying HORROR HOUND FILM FESTIVAL in Cincinnati, Ohio. HHFF is from Horror Hound Magazine and this organisation is all about HORROR - radio, films, magazines. So it's thrilling that our film has been selected to join other great films in this genre. Special Guests at the festival include actors from "The Walking Dead", "Bates Motel", "Twilight", "American Horror Story", "The Seed of Chucky" and more. Writer/Director April Phillips reluctantly had to decline an invitation to be on the Filmmaker's Panel because of other commitments.
Best Director nomination, Switzerland
September 21, 2016
At the Ouchy Film Awards, Lausanne, Switzerland, April has been nominated for Best Director for her work on the film "REM".