The Polycees

After a run-in with his slimy deputy, the Prime Minister's young daughter is shocked to find a magical creature living in Parliament under her Dad’s desk!

  • Celia Jaspers
    Director
    Milk, Homeschool
  • Celia Jaspers
    Writer
    Milk, Homeschool, Chasing the Wind
  • Celia Jaspers
    Producer
    Milk, Homeschool
  • Jed Brophy
    Key Cast
    "Deputy Prime Minister"
    Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, District 9, King Kong
  • Mischa Blake
    Key Cast
    "Lee King"
  • James Jennings
    Key Cast
    "Prime Minister Joseph King"
    Space Invader, Legends of the Seeker, The Gulf
  • Jessica Mutch-MacKay
    Key Cast
    "Em Bellishing"
    One News
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Kids, Fantasy, Puppets, Comedy, Drama
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    January 31, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    New Zealand
  • Country of Filming:
    New Zealand
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Cinemascope 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Dances with Films LA
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 25, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Official selection
  • Show me Shorts
    Auckland - Wellington
    New Zealand
    October 7, 2023
    New Zealand Premiere
    Official Selection
  • WorldFest Houston
    Houston
    Remi Award - Bronze
  • Nenagh Children's Film Festival
    Nenagh
    Ireland
    June 9, 2023
    World Premiere
    Finalist - Best Intl Live Action Film
  • Byron Bay Film Festival
    Byron Bay
    Australia
    October 20, 2023
    Australian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • FIFO Tahiti
    Tahiti
    February 2, 2024
    Tahiti Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Absurdo Film Awards
    na
    Italy
    na
    Winner - Best Editing
  • SAFILM San Antonio Film Festival
    San Antonio
    United States
    August 1, 2023
    Texas Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Children's International Film Festival of Wales
    Tredegar, Wales
    United Kingdom
    October 19, 2023
    Wales Premiere
    Finalist - Best Actor, Best Child Actor, Best Film
  • Reale Film Festival

    Italy
    Honourable Mention
  • Wairarapa Film Festival
    Martinborough
    New Zealand
    October 29, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Cinekid Screening Club
    na
    Netherlands
    Screening club only
  • LA Children's Film Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    March 29, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Winnipeg Reel to Real
    Winnipeg
    Canada
    February 20, 2024
    Canadian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Iconic Images
    online
    Semi Finalist - Best Actor
Director Biography - Celia Jaspers

Prolific content creator with over 30 years experience in the industry. Directing since she was 19 years old, amassing hundreds of hours of content from TV, documentary, factual and narrative. Passionate about heartfelt, kids and family content that both young and old can enjoy co-viewing together.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The Polycees has been a passion project for nearly 20 years. The world and concept is thoroughly developed, and has now been re-imagined in the form of a short film, attached to a larger feature film screenplay. The pure joy of filming this short piece is what makes me keep going, my beautiful crew were so great to work with, we had the best time, and its the buzz of those experiences that make you come back for more! And equally the pleasure of editing your own material is so fun, I love rediscovering the story and piecing powerful moments together, really seeing the performance for the first time off set is one of lifes great joys to me too.