True Love
True Love
Disconnected
Disconnected
Disrupt
Disrupt

Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2021 

Our premium collection of Māori and Pasifika short films from the gifted storytellers of Moana-nui-a-kiwa.

74 minutes
M
violence, offensive language & drug use

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.

Ngā Whanaunga is a competitive section of the Festival with the films in this collection eligible for the Wellington UNESCO City of Film Award for Best Film ($3000 cash prize) as judged by a jury. Audience members at the Wellington and Christchurch screenings will vote for the winner of the Letterboxd Audience Award, a cash prize of $1000.

Curator comments on each film appear in italics.

Films are listed in the order that they will screen.

Disrupt 2021

Cast

Joe Dekkers-Reihana
,
Kararaina Rangihau
,
Ella Edward

Producer

Peata Melbourne

Screenplay

Aroha Awarau

Photography

Tammy Williams

Editor

Lisa Greenfield

When a burglary goes wrong, CJ must choose between his whānau and his next fix. “A whānau bond can't be broken apart, even if the trespasses made skew to forsaking not forgiving.”  — LK

Sista 2020

Cast

Lizzie Overhoff
,
Daniela Mika
,
Katerina Fatupaito

Producer

Marina McCartney

Screenplay

Leilani Tamu
,
Chantelle Burgoyne

Photography

Tammy Williams

Editor

Annie Collins
16 minutes

Isabelle feels left behind as her teenaged older sister Tiana grows up leading to a moment of betrayal that threatens to shatter their relationship forever. “The unmistaken angst of running before learning to walk. A common and unfortunately incurable dilemma of many uninhibited, invincible youth of all generations. Learning fast is essential.” CF

fire in the water, fire in the sky 2021

Director

Cast

Evotia-Rose Araiti
,
Samoana Nokise
,
Te Hau Winitana

Producer

Hone Kouka

Screenplay

Mīria George

Photography

Elise Lanigan

Editor

Lala Rolls

Sisters Tia and Ina are far from home. Tia is focused on her work, while the free-spirited Ina just wants to dance. "The film traps you with curiosity to potentially discover the elusive existence of a better life. The sacrifice is real however the resolve is not guaranteed."  — CF

Disconnected 2021

Director

Cast

Scotty Cotter
,
Nicola Kawana
,
Tukairangi Maxwell
,
Villa Lemanu
,
Tomai Ihaia

Producer

Angela Cudd

Photography

Raymond Edwards

Editor

India Fremaux

Hip hop producer Chance hides away from his friends while secretly grieving a massive loss. “Emotional wounds bleed with no warning and seemingly no medical aid to assist with the spiritual healing required - however, bad can be accompanied by good.” — CF

True Love 2021

Director

Cast

Lance Savali
,
Lydia Peckham

Producers

Jimmy Crayford-Bollinger
,
Raymond Edwards

Screenplay

Raymond Edwards

Photography

Dave Garbett

Editor

Raymond Edwards
15 minutes

James and Bella are in love, but Bella has a secret which could change their lives. “True love is tested in this engrossing tale saturated with East Coast light and modern romance angst.”  — LK