The Last Man on Earth

In this 2019 short film, reporter Annie (Greer Phillips) is holed up in a dilapidated TV studio after a pandemic caused by a vaccine aimed at eradicating birth defects has wiped out millions. Annie thinks she is alone — apart from Max (Duncan Armstrong), a young man with Downs Syndrome caged up outside. Enter Carter (Shane Bartle) whose hatred of 'freaks' like Max tips over into violence. But in the heat of the moment it is Max who acts. Shot at the former Avalon Television Centre on the edge of Wellington, the film garnered more than a dozen awards — including gongs for each of the three main actors. 

If freaks like him didn't exist we wouldn't have needed a vaccine.

– Carter (Shane Bartle) expresses his belief in eugenics

Key Cast & Crew

Jeff Hurrell

Editor

Duncan Armstrong

As: Max

Greer Phillips

As: Annie Harper

Tane Upjohn-Beatson

Composer

Shane Bartle

As: Carter

April Phillips

Director, Writer, As: Prime Minister