A collection of Māori and Pasifika short films curated by Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka), Director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, with guest co-curator Craig Fasi (Niue), Director of the Pollywood Film Festival.
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Screened as part of NZIFF 2020
Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2020
This film collection is screening in select cinemas and venues across the country. See here for details.
A collection of Māori and Pasifika short films curated by Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka), Director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, with guest co-curator Craig Fasi (Niue), Director of the Pollywood Film Festival. Curators’ comments on each film appear in italics.
In 2020, for the first time, Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts is a competitive section in the Festival.
The best film in Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts as judged by an international jury, will receive the Wellington UNESCO City of Film Award for Best Film. This $3000 cash award will be presented at the in-cinema screening at Roxy Cinema in Wellington on Sunday 2 August.
The winner of an audience vote from the online audience and those at the ASB Waterfront Theatre, Auckland and Roxy Cinema, Wellington screenings will receive the Ngā Whanaunga CineMāori Audience Award. The $1000 cash award has been sponsored by CineMāori, the new online platform for Māori cinema. The winner will be announced on Sunday 2 August at the Festival closing ceremony, along with the Audience Award for NZ’s Best competition.
Purea 2020
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Māori elder Hamo must bear the burden of carrying the spirits of her ancestors to their sacred mountain. Respectful and heartfelt. Deep in meaning and unlimited in vision. — CF
Forgive Me 2020
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Student Sina meets his professor in a cafe for their weekly game of chess, but soon discovers real life is more complicated than just a game. In an unbearable political climate, forbidden love is punishable by death. Would you give your life for love? — CF
Kapaemahu 2020
Four mysterious boulders on Waikiki Beach hold ancient spiritual powers. This stunning animation respectfully reawakens the long lost story of Māhū, who journeyed from Tahiti to Hawai’i bearing healing gifts. — LK
Emily 2020
After a terrible accident a mother faces her worst nightmare. A powerful story of loss and the human condition to overcome tragedy or accept defeat. — CF
I Am the Moment 2020
An innovative Pasifika artist is unmasked. In pre-pandemic Tokyo, Tongan performance artist Kalisolaite ‘Uhila naturally visualises the creator becoming the created. — CF
Money Honey 2019
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The chance discovery of a $20 note opens up a world of opportunity. Drift back to the 80s Spacies parlours (or is it the 90s?) when life for kids was not so serious – or was it? — LK
Gurl 2020
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An infamous Māori drag queen falls for a fading rugby star on an ill-fated night in 1975. We’re gonna go back, way back, to a Vivian Street parlour serving instant coffee and toasted sandwiches, and a hypnotic glimpse into the life of the diva, the goddess, the one, the only Carmen. — LK