The Pinkies Are Back depicts a group of extraordinary women conquering and surviving breast cancer, setting up a dragon boat team, and working together to win a gold medal in a competition held in Auckland. It’s an ode to women on the water.
There are breast cancer survivor dragon boat teams around the world, as it has become an established popular rehabilitation system - "Exercise is Medicine". They put all efforts into paddling, just as they fight for the silver lining of their life.
Released in New Zealand cinemas on March 18, 2021, and globally distributed in 2022, the film continues to inspire people around the world and not only those who have been affected by breast cancer.
Official Film Festival selections:
- Lopdell Film Festival, Auckland
- CineFestOz, Australia
- Shenzhen International Film Festival in China
- Beijing International Sports Film Festival, China
- Paladino d'Oro Sports Film Festival, Italy
- SPORT MOVIES & TV – Milano International FICTS Festival, Italy
- FICTS Nagano Film Festival, Japan
It has been a successful 12 months with FICTS festivals, winning the "Mention d'Honneur" award at the 'SPORT MOVIES & TV – Milano International FICTS Festival' in 2022. This year, the film entered another FICTS Festival in Japan and walked away with another special win.
Out of 305 film suggestions for the FICTS Nagano film festival, The Pinkies Are Back made the final cut of 14. Local volunteer students and professionals were challenged to translate 6 films into Japanese subtitles, which included The Pinkies, and it was a great success.
On the final day (September 24, 2023) Producer Lisa Burd was presented (via Zoom) with the Grand Award of FICTS Nagano, 'GUIRLANDE D'HONNEUR'.
During the Zoom call with a room full of viewers, Producer Lisa Burd was able to learn how the film impacted every single person. It was oh so special!
A junior high school student said "I knew the importance of challenge without worrying about age. Someday we'll be sick and getting old. But I want to be more powerful like them."
The Pinkies Are Back is available to watch on TVNZ+
