She first appeared in Shortland Street 12 years ago and this time she’s playing Susan Rolleston, Boyd’s mother, opposite Peter Hambleton.

You can read more about Miranda’s career and new role here

Following a successful run at the 2012 NZ International Film Festival, Toi Whakaari MTA graduate and director Alyx Duncan’s award-winning feature film debut The Red House opens in theatres across New Zealand this March.

Beautifully photographed over three-and-a-half years in China and New Zealand, The Red House tells the story of Lee (Lee Stuart) and Jia (Meng Jia), a couple in their 60s who have transcended the barriers of language and culture to build a life and love together – in a red house, tucked away in the bush, filled with 20 years of mementoes from their shared journey. When duty calls Jia back to her homeland to care for her aged parents, both Jia and Lee must face what it means to move beyond the place they call home.

Combining international scope with stunning intimacy, The Red House fluidly moves between the urban and the rural, exploring the differences between and the change within both worlds while always staying close to the heart of its central, deeply-felt love story. By using her childhood home as a location, and her father and step-mother in the lead roles, Duncan brings a persuasive authenticity to the narrative.

NZIFF director Bill Gosden, who selected the film for the festival, described the film as “a thing of quiet wonder”, just one of the many glowing notices the film has received en route to winning Best Self-Funded Film at the 2012 New Zealand Film Awards.

The film is out now! Here’s what the reviewers are saying: The NZ Herald, Stuff.co.nz

Now, a wider audience will have the chance to experience The Red House with its nationwide release in March. It’s currently scheduled for the following venues:

From 7 March

Christchurch: Alice Cinematheque

From 14 March

Matakana: Matakana Cinemas

Auckland City: Rialto Cinemas Newmarket, the Bridgeway

Waiheke Island: Waiheke Community Cinema

Rotorua: The Basement Cinema

Tauranga: Rialto Tauranga

Napier: The Globe Theatrette

Waikanae: Shoreline Cinema

Fielding: Focal Point Cinema

Wellington: The Paramount

From 21 March

Nelson: State Cinemas

Dunedin: Metro Cinema

Watch the trailer for The Red House

Another winner at the awards was the Toi Master of Theatre Arts (Directing) graduate Alyx Duncan, who won the ‘Best Self-Funded Film’ category with her film ‘The Red House’ – a story about the endurance of love in the face of cultural upheaval, environmental neglect, and the universal process of ageing.

You can watch a trailer for her film HERE

Congratulations to all the winners and nominees.

And a special congratulations to all the Toi Whakaari graduates and staff who were in among them, there were quite a few! Here they are: (winners are highlighted)

Circa Award donated by Tact for the Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year: Emmett Skilton – Paper Sky  (Acting 2009), Tim Carlsen – One Day Moko (Acting 2009) and Tola Newbury – The Prospect (Acting 2010)

The Emerging Artist Trust Wellington Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year: Hayley Sproull – Miss Fletcher Sings the Blues (Acting 2011), Moana Ete – The Prospect (Acting 2010) and Victoria Abbott - West End Girls (Acting 2011)

Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and Victoria University of Wellington Most Promising New Director of the Year: Melanie Camp – Immaculate (Directing 2012)

Brancott Estate Award for Costume Designer of the Year: Jane Boocock – West End Girls (Costume 2009)

Grouse Lighting Award for Lighting Designer of the Year: Laurie Dean – The Mourning After (ET and Advanced Dip 2004) and Lisa Maule – Michael James Manaia (ET Senior Tutor)

Weta Workshop Award for Set Designer of the Year: Daniel Williams – The Tigers of Wrath (Design 2006)

Peter Harcourt Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year sponsored by Bats Theatre and Taki Rua Productions: Tim Carlsen – One Day Moko (Acting 2009)

The Absolutely Positively Award for the Supporting Actress of the Year: Juanita Hepi – The Maori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Raua Ko Kahira (Acting 2009), Michele Amas – Peninsula (Acting 1984) and Nancy Brunning – Clybourne Park (Acting 1991)

Whitireia Performing Arts and Chapman Tripp Award for the Supporting Actor of the Year: Rawiri Paratene – The Maori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Raua Ko Kahira (Acting 1972) and Rob Lloyd – The Prospect (Acting 2004)

The Chapman Tripp Accolade for an Outstanding Performance
Te Kohe Tuhaka – Michael James Manaia (Acting 2004)

The Museum Hotel Award for Director of the Year: David O’Donnell – West End Girls (Acting 1979), Jane Waddell – Peninsula (Acting 1975) and Rachel House – The Maori Troilus and Cressida – Toroihi Raua Ko Kahira (Acting 1993)

Well done everyone!

Tickets available from www.iticket.co.nz

All at Toi Whakaari are saddened by the sudden death of David Carson-Parker at the weekend. He was an enthusiastic and generous supporter of not only Toi Whakaari but the Arts in general in Aotearoa New Zealand and he will be sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to his partner Jeremy, his family and his many friends.

You can read a special tribute to David on The Arts Foundation website HERE

The Fisherman: Cha Ba Cut