DISHES

‘DISHES’ — OUR STORY 

‘DISHES’ is an eerie, cathartic and beautifully grotesque exploration of the fear of transformation, the way trauma manifests in the body and radical self-acceptance. 

The creation of this short dance-horror film is a collaboration between queer dance artist Grace Nickel and film director Annika Peterson, who are childhood friends reconnecting through this creation process. The ‘DISHES’ world highlights the contrast between the often mundane reality, and the surreal potential of our minds. 

Conceptualised during heartbreak, this is a visceral and vulnerable embodiment of lived experience, grief and fragmented identity. ‘DISHES’ lives in the seam between dance and the body-horror genre of film, and showcases the perspectives and innovative techniques of young Aotearoa-based artists.

OUR TEAM

Creative Director and Dancer: Grace Nickel

Film Director: Annika Peterson

Producer: Tasmin du Mez

Co-Producer and Catering: Jake Stapleton

Director of Photography: Alex Shirtcliffe

Sound Design: Cameron Winters

Stills Photography: Isla Crawford-Whitaker

OUR ASK

We are wanting to film in early July 2025, with the objective being to have the film ready for showing by the last quarter of this year. 

$1250 will help cover the costs of:

Location Costs 

• Location hire
• Transport for crew and cast
• Gas comp.

Catering 

• Craft services for two shoot days
• Meals for cast and crew for two shoot days

Art Department  and Production

• Harddrives
• Costume
• Set Dressing + Props

Our donors will be updated throughout our process and credited at the end of the film when it is presented.

‘DISHES’ — OUR STORY 

‘DISHES’ is an eerie, cathartic and beautifully grotesque exploration of the fear of transformation, the way trauma manifests in the body and radical self-acceptance. 

‘DISHES’ is a 10 minute experimental film that captures a dance choreographed and performed by Grace Nickel. By using a cinematic medium we heighten the dance’s visceral impact, enhancing its bodily horror and grotesque aspects. Zooming in on cracking joints, exposed flesh, and contorted limbs, we can dehumanize and stylize these movements in ways that would not be possible through traditional dance performance. Paired with a haunting ambient score and sound design that amplifies the unnatural physicality of the dance, the result is an unsettling and beautiful audio-visual dance experience.

The creation of this short dance-horror film is a collaboration between queer dance artist Grace Nickel and film director Annika Peterson, who are childhood friends reconnecting through this creation process. The ‘DISHES’ world highlights the contrast between the often mundane reality, and the surreal potential of our minds. 

Conceptualised during heartbreak, this is a visceral and vulnerable embodiment of lived experience, grief and fragmented identity. ‘DISHES’ lives in the seam between dance and the body-horror genre of film, and showcases the perspectives and innovative techniques of young Aotearoa-based artists.

YOUR IMPACT

Our film has only two locations; the sink, and the surreal industrial landscape of the mind, and one character, with two identities. We believe this makes ‘DISHES’ a highly achievable project, with the potential for reach far beyond its small budget.

Your support will help bring this cathartic, visceral and innovative project to life. Together we can boost this opportunity for our local artists to create, collaborate and present their work.

Every dollar helps! Please support us in reaching our goal with ‘DISHES’ and share this Boosted campaign with your whanau <3