Gaylene Preston flew to the United States for theatrical premieres of her new feature Perfect Strangers in New York and Los Angeles. They were presented by the local chapters of Women In Film. The film has since had its American cable television premiere on the Oxygen Network.

Its US dvd release sold an initial 90,000 units. It has now completed theatrical releases in New Zealand and Australia, distributed by 20th Century Fox. A 40-print theatrical release in Italy is now being planned.

And last month Rachael Blake won Best Actress for her lead role in the movie. “"It was my absolute pleasure to be amongst international film makers of such calibre, and a great honour for the work in Perfect Strangers to be acknowledged worthy of such an award by an international Jury. I feel this second ‘Best Actress’ award for Perfect Strangers it is acknowledgement of the authenticity within the work and as such, a particular nod to Gaylene Preston who created on set an invaluable , limitless arena, of flexibility, trust and ease." Rachael Blake also won Best Actress at the Fantasporto Film Festival in Portugal.

The Film Commission, which is handling international sales, has licensed the film for release in more than 40 countries. Recent sales include agreements for the film to be released in Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Israel, Thailand, Korea, and the Middle East.

Perfect Strangers was written by the director and produced by Preston and Robin Laing for Gaylene Preston Productions in association with Huntaway Productions, the New Zealand Film Production Fund, the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand On Air, and TVNZ.

NZ Film