Hollywood a’calling
FROM novelists and dancers to conservationists – talented youth are being recognised for their efforts.
About $125,000 in awards was given out at the North Harbour Club’s annual AIMES Awards Gala Dinner on November 8.
Torbay resident and author Ben Sanders won the Excellence in Arts category as well as the Supreme Award.
The 24-year-old says the $25,000 award money will allow him to continue writing fulltime and to travel to America for research.
He may also be flying to America to walk the red carpet sometime in the future. The film rights for a fourth novel he is working on were taken up by the Warner Brothers film company earlier in the year.
Hollywood star Bradley Cooper is lined up to produce the film and play the lead character.
Sanders says it was ‘‘a bit of luck’’ which saw his script land in Warner Brothers’ hands, but says it’s very exciting.
‘‘To have Bradley Cooper attached, that’s pretty cool,’’ he says. ‘‘ Even if they don’t make the film it’s so neat to have that endorsement from Hollywood. It was pretty bizarre to Google myself and find an article in the Hollywood Reporter which mentioned my name and the book I’m working on.’’
Sanders is focusing on finishing the book before moving on to his fifth and sixth novel.
North Harbour Club president Matthew Bellingham says the organisation is proud to support excellence.
‘‘Each year I wonder how we are going to reach the same levels of excellence with our recipients as we did the previous year,’’ he says. ‘‘And each year we manage to continue on at levels equal to those in the past, and my expectations are constantly exceeded. Our winners are truly remarkable individuals.’’
Fellow Torbay resident Dannie Cullen was awarded the Excellence in Service to the Community and says it was a long nervous wait before she heard her name.
‘ ‘ I sat there with my parents listening to all the previous award winners in various categories. To be put in the same category as them
young was amazing. words, I’m shocked.’’
The 22-year-old was selected as one of the first Department of Conservation ambassadors for the Sir Peter Blake Trust this year and is heading to the Catlins in the South Island to help with a wildlife project early next year.
Cullen hopes to use the I have no still quite money to start an environmental web series.
‘‘My really big dream is of piloting a kids’ show which is environmental and science based. I want something which is focused in conservation and touches on things like what we have here in New Zealand – volcanoes, the ocean, mountain ranges. Also getting the word out about what’s there, getting them excited and aware of how they can get involved.’’
Eight young ‘‘rising stars’’ have won Emerging Talent Awards, which recognise young individuals showing promise in their category, but are still working towards reaching their full potential. Each winner received $5000.
Pinehurst School student Harry Bartlett won his award for his Irish dancing.
‘‘I was extremely humbled,’’ he says. ‘‘I didn’t quite expect it . . . it shows more dancers can apply for awards like this because it’s getting recognised.’’
Bartlett is using the money to go to Boston to train with world champion dancer Liam Harney. He will then go to Canada for the world championships in late March and early April.