Stalking. We’ve all done it – in one form or another. Facebook, Twitter, Google… hiding in someone’s rubbish bin. The Kiwi comedy How to Meet Girls from a Distance takes a funny and heartwarming look at these ‘creative research techniques’, exploring just how far one might go in order to win the adoration of their girl crush.

The film holds its world premiere in Wellington today, as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival, and to celebrate the team have released a teaser trailer (and poster) for us to enjoy.

Filmed over 17 days in Wellington (at an astonishing 21 locations!), Dean Hewison‘s ‘Peeping Tom rom-com’ is the first film to come out of New Zealand Film Commission and NZ on Air‘s new Make My Movie competition – where the winner receives $100,000 and the support of top Kiwi indie producer Ant Timpson. Lead actor Richard Falkner (who plays the hapless Toby) also serves as co-writer on the movie, alongside Hewison and Sam Dickson. Traces of Nut, the collective name for the creative team, are veterans of the New Zealand 48 Hour film competition. How to Meet Girls from a Distance is their first feature film – of many, we hope.

Here’s the teaser:

I’m really looking forward to seeing this today. Falkner is great in the lead role, playing Toby perfectly. Jonathan Brugh‘s character, dating coach Carl Stewart BA, will no doubt have many a scene-stealing moment. And although we don’t get to hear much from Pheobe (Scarlet Hemingway) in this trailer, she certainly lights up the screen as Toby’s object of desire.

The world premiere is a sell-out (brilliant!), but you can still catch How to Meet Girls from a Distance during the fest, including: Wellington on Jul 31, Auckland on August 5, Dunedin on August 19 and Christchurch on August 21 and 22. For details head over to the New Zealand International Film Festival website, and then get your tickets from Ticketek.

I hope this movie also gains a general release after the fest.

Toby has always been unlucky with girls. Ever since getting stabbed in the throat after asking a girl out in a café, Toby has resolved to learn everything he can about girls before meeting them, so he can become the man of their dreams.

After faking yet another girlfriend, his poor mother takes matters into her own hands and signs him up with a dating coach, Carl Stewart BA, with his unique methods and philosophies.

But Toby has finally found Phoebe and he thinks she’s the girl of his dreams. She’s intelligent, enchanting and she’s hot – everything Toby has been looking for. Discovering everything she likes and suddenly developing an interest in Mark Twain and capoeira. Toby is set for success.

But this girl brings challenges that Toby hasn’t had to face before – including a boyfriend – and Toby finds himself crossing lines he never thought he’d cross. Then there’s the problem of how to keep her, without her finding out that he knows everything about her.

How far would you go for a crush?

Directed by Dean Hewison, the film stars Richard Falkner, Scarlet Hemingway, Jonathan Brugh, Aidee Walker, Colleen Cleary, Owen Black, Hannah Clarke and Aroha White.

How to Meet Girls from a Distance is currently screening as part of the New Zealand International Film Festival.