Alexandra film producer Will Nelson has won the prestigious Best Cinematography Award at the New Zealand Mountain Film Festival.

The New Zealand Mountain Film Festival celebrates adventure sports, premiering in Wānaka and touring the country annually.

Will produced the documentary Flow State about highlining: a form of extreme slacklining at high elevations over rivers, valleys, and similar terrain.

The documentary follows two slackliners as they challenge themselves within their sport, confront past trauma and become better men - all while being 1000 metres above the ground. 

Will loved being able to work with such amazing people. 

“The Highliners welcomed us in like family.”

The documentary was created over the duration of a year as a part of Will’s last year at Massey University in Wellington and was filmed mostly in Queenstown. 

Will created the documentary with help from director and editor Jacob Bowling and production manager Kees McKahon. 

The team worked on overcoming challenges to film the documentary, such as using high-end camera equipment in the snow with heavy packs. 

“I have watched the festival for many years growing up and have always been inspired by the films that are in there - I always knew I wanted to be there as a filmmaker,” Will told the Central App

Will was “absolutely stoked” when awarded Best Cinematography.

He also was fortunate enough to attend the New Zealand Cinematographers Awards, picking up a Gold Award in the Student Category. 

Will is soon heading off on his OE, travelling to South East Asia and Europe, so more exciting films are likely to be in store.