Loren Taylor

Loren Taylor's directorial debut, “The Moon is Upside Down”, is an uproarious and cleverly dark-humoured rollercoaster. Against the backdrop of New Zealand's stunning countryside and gritty urban suburbs, three characters grapple with an insatiable yearning for connection.

an avant-garde comedy about a group of evolutionary losers who have a message for Homo Sapiens: don’t f*ck up the world.

This is a story about fear and fate, explored through the experience of both the victim and the perpetrator. A young woman home alone receives a call from a stranger, a young man asking her to the pictures. She declines but later finds the man with a knife standing in her dining room. He wants to have sex with her and seems confused about whether his intentions are brutal or romantic. Seeing his confusion and fear she talks him into letting her go outside to bring the washing. He holds his knife at her back – she realises she has no chance of escape. As they are walking back across the lawn to the house she is stung by a bee. She collapses. Weeping she tells him she is allergic to bees and convinces him to go inside to get vinegar from the kitchen to stop the swelling. As soon as he is out of sight she is up and running in one fluid movement. The intruder is left standing desolate on the lawn with the vinegar bottle – his fantasy unravelled. We find him at the pictures alone.

Falling Leaves is a heartfelt and quirky short film by Taika Waititi, blending his signature humor with poignant storytelling. Set in a small New Zealand town, the film explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time through the eyes of its offbeat characters. With striking visuals and a tender yet comedic tone, Falling Leaves captures the bittersweet moments of life and human connection, offering a glimpse into Waititi's early creative brilliance.

Two players, one heinous crime to be revealed. Wellington Winner of 48 Hours Furious Filmmaking 2004.