Waititi's short film "Two Cars, One Night" was nominated for an Oscar as best live-action short in 2005, and his second short "Tamu tu" received the Special Jury Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival that same year. The project was brought to Miramax by Peter Lawson, vp acquisitions, who will oversee the project with Keri Putnam, president of production and Kristin Jones, senior vp production, international development and acquisitions. Michael Luisi, executive vp business affairs, negotiated the deal on behalf of Miramax with Kathleen Drumm and Catherine Juniot representing New Zealand Film.

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