Wairoa Takes Flight!
PRESS RELEASE 23 OCTOBER 2014: On November 1, Wairoa Maori Film Festival will take flight across the world with a selection of nine Maori-made and Maori-themed short films screening inflight on Air New Zealand. "Kia Ora Shorts is a new venture for the Wairoa Maori Film Festival and newly established Nuhaka Films," says Leo Koziol, Festival Director. "Discerning international travelers will be able to sample Maori culture in new contemporary short films, many of which screened at NZIFF Nga Whanaunga co-curated with Pollywood."
The selection of films screening inflight are:
BUTTERFLY Director Renae Maihi
HOME Director Apirana Ipo Te Maipi
TOHUNGA Director Rebecca Collins
AHI KA Director Richard Curtis
IN THE RUBBISH TIN Director Riwia Brown
MAUMAHARA Director Tamati Ihaka
FOOTSTEPS Director Lennie Hill
DOG ON DUTY Director Lennie Hill
RISING DUST Director Jack Woon
"These films profile the cultural issues of Aotearoa as well as presenting the stunning beauty of places such as the Hokianga and Rotorua," says Mr. Koziol.
Along with 8 Maori-themed films, Lennie Hill's FOOTSTEPS is a Maori / Pasifika film, director of Maori descent filmed in the stunning beauty of the Cook Islands.
NZIFF Nga Whanaunga is presented annually at the New Zealand International Film Festival. In 2014, the programme was curated by Wairoa Maori Film Festival Director Leo Koziol with guest curator Craig Fasi of the Pollywood Film Festival.
These films all go inflight on Air New Zealand long haul flights on November 1 2014.
ENDS
Official Festival Theme Announced
WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2015
THEME: NATIVE NOW!
Kia Ora Koutou Katoa!
The Official Theme of Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2015 is NATIVE NOW!
This is our landmark 10th year, and we are planning a future-focused event showcasing the best, the newest and the most innovative works of Maori, Polynesian and world indigenous screen art.
Our Call For Entries is now open. We are interested in works that are breaking the mould and shaping a new place within the 4th cinema and native screen realms. We want to see entries that have a transmedia showcase alongside a state-of-the-art screen work: be it short film, documentary, feature, documentary, experimental or media art. We want films that embrace the truth and beauty of Maori culture, in Te Reo Maori by Maori Directors and Maori Writers. Our people telling our stories to ourselves in our language.
We want to see works that are about native peoples living to their full potential imbued with deep authenticity, and will focus our curatorial process upon international entries by Native Origin Directors and Native Origin Writers.
We want to see Polynesian works from across the Pacific, in the spirit of Whanaungatanga and connectedness between the Children of Hawaiiki. Once again, we want these works to be written by Native Polynesians and directed by Native Polynesians.
Alongside a four day marae-based film festival, we will also host a one-day kai festival, and showcase NZ and Maori food over the weekend. Kiwiland Kai will be served as the best possible complement to Maori film and screen art, our first year of what is planned to become an annual event.
The work for a grand event at Wairoa 2015 has begun. Join us. Ancient Spirits Beckon. Your first step, is here.
Nau Mai! Nau Mai! Haere Mai!
Wairoa Maori Film Festival - May 29 to June 2, 2015.
Call for Entries Now Open: Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2015
CALL FOR ENTRIES 2015 ARE NOW OPEN
Entries to the Wairoa Maori Film Festival are now open as of Monday 20 October 2014, until 5 pm Friday December 19 2014. Entries at present can be made either by (a) physically mailing the completed/signed entry form and screener DVD, Blu-Ray or USB to the festival, or (b) by emailing a scan of the completed and signed entry form along with an online link. Terms and Conditions of Entry are available for review on the form, and on our Terms and Conditions page. Film makers are encourage to read this page to get a sense of the kind of content we are looking for.
FESTIVAL ENTRY FORM 2015 MS Word
FESTIVAL ENTRY FORM 2015 PDF
Future Maori film-makers shine – Aotearoa Maori Film Festival Sydney
Press Release - Aotearoa Maori Film Festival - Sydney, Australia, September 3 2014
This year’s Aotearoa Maori film festival in Sydney showcased a new film workshop for tamariki
(children). Although, only in its infancy the festival has a unique market in the expanding
multi-cultural city of Sydney.
Organiser of the film festival Brent Reihana says, “We’re show-casing our Maori talent in film-making and also growing the potential talent of our tamariki through these creative film workshops.”
About 15 enthusiastic youth participated in the 1-day workshop and learned more about Tikanga Maori and how it weaves in to making films. Participants were also taught skills in how to develop a creative concept, and how to tell a tumeke Maori story plus hands on activities including how to use a digital app. Audience members had the honour of seeing the finished work on screen as part of the film festival.
Mr Reihana says, “Our aim is to build an audience for Maori films in three locations – Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane”. To achieve this ambitious goal Brent and his film festival team need bums on seats. He admits, “Our priority is to sell tickets and make enough money to sustain the festival.”
Hurstville in southern Sydney is a hive of activity and home to one of the largest Westfield shopping centres in the area. Nearby there are historic buildings such as the St George Regional Museum, and the Ritz Hotel.
Behind the scenes many whanau volunteer to make the event successful. Brent says, “It’s heartening to see whanaungatanga alive and well in Oz and everyone working towards a worthwhile project.”
Tema Kwan Fenton, an experienced film-maker inspires the tamariki film-makers of tomorrow by sharing her knowledge. She reckons, “I’m keeping my hand-in and the kids are so confident and inspired which is great to see.” Kaiako Moana Sukkar and Devlin Tikitiki also help to design the programme loaded with techniques to develop the tamariki’s skill base.
The festival mainly screens short films both traditional and contemporary including Te Reo Maori across all genres. In the future Mr Reihana hopes to include documentaries and feature films to offer a broader range of films to his growing audience.
Mr Reihana, a businessman who runs Mantra Solutions a business consulting agency says one of the biggest challenges is that many Maori living in Sydney don’t have their extended whanau around them to support the kaupapa. He says, “It’s starting out small as a tight-knit community but we have opportunities to develop and grow through community partnerships and sponsorship.”
“We have some close ties with the Lebanese community and a top Australian law firm has shown some interest.” Mr Reihana is confident with the support of the Hurstville community and in particular its ethnic communities, the event can develop and thrive in the future.
The 2014 Aotearoa Maori film festival saw the debut of New Zealand’s first 3D Maori animated short film THE RANGIMOEKAUS and also the Cannes film festival Home by Api Ipo and Butterfly directed by Renae Maihi. Butterfly screened previously at imagineNATIVE Canada, exGround Germany, and the NZ International Film Festival.
The festival also passes down knowledge to the next generations of Maori - Ka pu te ruha, ka hao te rangatahi - As an old net withers another is remade. When an elder is no longer fit to lead, a healthier leader will stand in his place.
To sponsor or advertise with the Aotearoa Maori Film Festival or to find out more contact Brent Reihana at www.aotearoamaorifilmfestival.com
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE FOR MAORI SHORT FILM
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday 21 August, 10:10am
Bethune Communications
Kiwi animated short THE RANGIMOEKAUS international premiere - Sydney
The international premiere of New Zealand’s first 3D Maori animated short film THE RANGIMOEKAUS will screen in Sydney this weekend as part of the Aotearoa Maori film festival.
Director Helena Bethune says, “It’s exciting to be part of a big multi-cultural film festival that includes Maori indigenous films.”
The Rangimoekaus will screen as one of six Maori films including 2014 Cannes festival film Home and Butterfly by director Renae Maihi. The selection of Maori films is curated by Leo Koziol and the film festival is a partnership with the Sydney Maori business network.
Helena Bethune says, “There are about 25,000 Maori now living in Australia so hopefully some Mozzies come to the film festival which would be tumeke!”
The Rangimoekaus is about a hard case Maori whanau living on a marae in NZ - mischievous mokopuna are trying to help their Nan give up smoking.
The Rangimoekaus are also kaitiaki and care about the environment. The short film was produced in Wellington as part of a collaboration with Yoobee School of Design and Te Wananga O Aotearoa and includes a production crew of 30 talented Kiwi creatives.
The Aotearoa Maori film festival screens 22, 23 August in Sydney and 5, 6 September in Brisbane and will feature a Tamariki Filmmaking Workshop to introduce tamariki to the world of filmmaking and ignite their creativity to tell Maori stories.
View THE RANGIMOEKAUS promo trailer on YouTube and find out more about the film festival at www.aotearoamaorifilmfestival.com
FOLLOW TE RANGIMOEKAUS on Facebook
For all media enquiries contact Helena Bethune on 021 176 1495 or Leo Koziol on 021 143 4113
ENDS
Special Guests: Maori Film Festival in Sydney
Special guest film makers at the AOTEAROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL in Sydney will include Renae Maihi (Director BUTTERFLY) and Helena Bethune (Director of THE RANGIMOEKAUS). Oz-side Kiwis, come along once again to the AOTEAROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL, Hurstville Civic Centre, Sydney, NSW 22-23 August 2014. www.aotearoamaorifilmfestival.com
LOVE NATIVE FILM: SUPPORT NATIVE IN NUHAKA BOOSTED CAMPAIGN
Support this campaign on BOOSTED COMING SOON.
MAORI FILM LETTER
Check out the Maori Film Letter for June 2014, now available over at our sister website MANAWAIROA.COM.
http://www.manawairoa.com/maori-film-letter/maori-film-letter-june-2014
MANA WAIROA FILM AWARDS WINNERS
TE NATI FILM FESTIVAL AWARD - 2 X RETURN TICKETS TO TAHITI TO ATTEND TE NATI 2015
INC'D by Darren Simmons and Rob Mokaraka
BEST ACTOR – SHORT FILM (AOTEAROA AUDIENCE AWARD)
Rob Mokaraka in INC’D
BEST ACTRESS – SHORT FILM (AOTEAROA AUDIENCE AWARD)
Christine Edwards as Tai in AHI KA
BEST SHORT FILM (AOTEAROA AUDIENCE AWARD) - PRIZE: TROPHY & $500 SPONSORED BY THE WHAKAKI SMITH WHANAU
INC'D by Darren Simmons and Rob Mokaraka
BEST INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS ENTRY
THE HAUMANA by Keo Woolford
BEST AOTEAROA FEATURE DRAMA OR DOCUMENTARY - PRIZE: TROPHY & $500 SPONSORED BY BRAVE STAR MEDIA
KOTIRO MAORI E by Sophronia Smith
WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION (WIFT) MANA WAHINE AWARD
TO KAY ELLMERS
MANA WAIROA FESTIVAL PRIZE (BEST OVERALL ENTRY) PRIZE: TROPHY & $1,000 SPONSORED BY NGATI KAHUNGUNU IWI INC.
THE PA BOYS, Director Himiona Grace, Producers Mina Mathieson & Ainsley Gardiner
FESTIVAL READY TO GO!
PRESS RELEASE: WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL
READY TO GO!
27 May 2014, Nuhaka, Wairoa, New Zealand
Tenei te mihi, te karanga, te wero ki a koutou katoa!
Nau mai, haere mai ki te Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2014.
A year of curating films, travelling the world for content, and programming the best of Maori and indigenous film making culminates this week with the ninth annual Wairoa Maori Film Festival.
The Wairoa Maori Film Festival this year has 14 screenings and over 50 films, including documentaries, shorts and feature drama. Guests in attendance include international film makers from Hawaii, Tahiti, USA and Poland.
Screenings are in Kahungunu Marae, famed for featuring in scenes of John O'Shea's BROKEN BARRIER in 1955. Opening night is a special preview of THE DARKSIDE by Warwick Thornton, presented in association with the New Zealand International Film Festival. Closing night is "Bush Cinema," underground shorts at the Morere School Hall with the hot springs open until late.
Celebrating it's 9th year bringing indigenous cinema from Aotearoa and abroad, the 2014 Wairoa Māori Film Festival in conjunction with our sponsors The NZ Film Commission & WIFT promises to be a new and improved experience for past, returning & new whānau.
The Festival Team has been working tirelessly to curate a program of leading indigenous shorts, features and documentary films from home & beyond and we are pleased to announce the attendance of Hawaiian filmmaker Keo Woolford with his film THE HAUMANA. THE HAUMANA is a story of a gone-to-seed Honolulu lounge singer who rediscovers his lost culture through the magic of men's hula. Watch the trailer, below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StTv-oOfycA
Other features screening include THE DARKSIDE by Warwick Thornton (Australia), THE PA BOYS by Himiona Grace, FANTAIL by Curtis Vowell, and WHITE LIES TUAKIRI HUNA by Dana Rotberg based on the novella by Witi Ihimaera.
A collection of new Maori short films play each night of the festival. Three of these films recently screened at Cannes Short Film Corner in France - HOME by Apirana Ipo Te Maipi, AHI KAA by Richard Curtis, and RISING DUST by Jack Woon.
Documentary highlights include KOTIRO MAORI E by Sophronia Smith, the story of the historic Rongomaiwahine waiata by Uncle Tommy Taurima. On Sunday, the festival screens HE TOKI HUNA NZ IN AFGHANISTAN by award winning film makers Kay Ellmers and Annie Goldson. Kay Ellmers will be the recipient of the fourth annual WIFT Mana Wahine Award at the Gala Dinner on Saturday night.
A selection of Maori short films and THE DARKSIDE by Warwick Thornton will go on to screen at the New Zealand International Film Festival later this year. A collection of Canadian native short films is also presented in association with imagineNATIVE Film+Media Arts Festival in Toronto, the largest indigenous film festival in the world held at TIFF Bell Lightbox.
The Wairoa Maori Film Festival is a film festival like no other. As well as screenings in a traditional Maori marae, guests come and soak with their hosts in the relaxing Morere Hot Springs. Guests on Saturday night ca enjoy the Gala Awards Dinner performance of the Wairoa College Kapa Haka group. All attendees can check out a refined selection of the best of Māori and indigenous cinema from the comfort of their chair - or pull up a mattress and wrap up for a day or night of movies!
Program information can be found on the new and improved festival website here. (www.kiaora.tv)
Please register your interest with guest services/audience development coordinator Renae Maihi as travel and accommodation can be arranged on a first come first serve basis.
Renae Maihi +64 21 252 9151 manaakiwairoa@gmail.com
Guest Services Manager/ Audience Development
Festival Passes and Gala Awards Dinner Tickets can also be purchased online at:
http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2014/wairoa-maori-film-festival-2014/wairoa
Festival attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and pillows with them to screenings. Meals are for sale throughout the festival $10 per person, as well as coffee/tea breaks.
Nau Mai! Nau Mai! Haere Mai! Ancient Spirits Beckon!
Kua Ara Ake Te Kopunipunitanga O Te Wairua!
WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2014
29th - 1st June 2014 Queens Birthday Weekend
Kahungungu Marae, Nuhaka, New Zealand.
Authorised by Te Roopu Whakaata Maori I Te Wairoa - Wairoa Maori Film Festival Society Inc.