Comic success stories

Taika Waititi’s debut feature Eagle vs Shark has won the award for best screenplay at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado. The film, which also screened at South by Southwest in Texas, was promoted as a “wry comedy that chronicles the quirky romance of two awkward misfits.” The award has added to male lead Jemaine Clement’s growing presence in the US. His long-running comedy act Flight of the Conchords (with Bret McKenzie) is currently being turned into a self-titled TV series, which begins screening on HBO in June. NZ’s TV3 is reportedly interested in acquiring the rights to the show.