Kōkako
Kōkako

Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2023 

Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) is pleased to announce this year’s Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts selection.

91 minutes
M
Offensive language & drug use

Eight short films from Aotearoa and the Pacific have been selected by curators Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka), Director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, and Craig Fasi (Niue), Director of the Pollywood Film Festival and will screen during NZIFF in all festival locations.

The selected shorts this year are: Tulounga Le Lagi (dir: Pati Tyrell), Kōkako (dir: Douglas Brooks), Whakaako kia Whakaora / Educate to Liberate (dir: Robert George), The Last Sunday (dir: Saito Lilo), Mako (dir: Mark Papali’i), Bringing Mere Home (dir: Keelan Walker), He Pounamu Ko Āu (dir: Tia Barrett), and I Am Paradise (dir: Hiona Henare).

Co-curators Leo Koziol and Craig Fasi say “Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2023 is proudly local talent mastered for an international stage. This year's collection takes us on a journey. From the birds of the soaring forests, to the hard-scrabble streets of South Aukilani, the soaring mountains of Te Wai Pounamu, and the gentle sunset of the lake of Muaūpoko. Justified visual confrontations mourn with vigilance and speak of sacrifice with empowerment. Stories present a change in social attitudes that gift contemplation with an escapist fantasy feel. At the heart of it all - he tangata, he tangata, he tangata - it is people and the stories we tell, the struggles we overcome, the grief we grapple, the forever wisdom of each living day up on screen as Natives all, telling their own stories, their own way."

All finalists will be eligible for the Wellington UNESCO City of Film award for Best Film ($3000 cash prize), as judged by a jury. This award will be presented at the final Wellington screening of Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts. Audience members at Tāmaki Makaurau and Te Whanganui-a-Tara screenings will vote for their favourite short to win the Letterboxd Audience Award, a cash prize of $1000, and this will be announced at the Closing Night of NZIFF in Wellington.

Curator comments on each film appear in italics, and films are listed in the order that they will screen.

Tulouna le Lagi 2023

Director, Writer

Animation

Tanu Gago

With

Jermaine Dean
,
Manu Vetenibua
,
Fili Tapa
,
Moe Laga
,
Falencie Filipo

Commissioned by CIRCUIT Artist Moving Image
5 minutes

"Visually confrontational with ritualistic connotations of an environment we may have never considered." – CF

The Last Sunday 2022

Producer

Georgina Grey

Cinematography

Marino Evans-Vakatini

Editors

Marino Evans-Vakatini
,
Saito Lilo

Cast

Iavana Seuala
,
Haanz Fa’avae Jackson
,
Italia Hunt
,
Talayna Tuihaangana
,
Popo Lilo
,
Sekini Sililoto-Lilo
Aotearoa New Zealand In English and Sāmoan with English subtitles
13 minutes

"The burden of any form of responsibility will distort the true nature of simple intent. Would you make the ultimate sacrifice for family, religion and status?" – CF

The Last Sunday won the Wellington UNESCO City of Film Award for Best Film 2023.

Mako 2022

Producer

Amy Laura Jansen

Screenplay

Mark Papalii
,
Amy Laura Jansen
,
April Philips

Cast

Koby Bryce
,
MikeyEse Daniel
,
Taofi Mose-Nehemi
Aotearoa New Zealand In English and Sāmoan with English subtitles
16 minutes

 "Mental, physical, emotional and spiritual challenges are essential to give perspective of who you are. Mako reflects on self-empowerment and the reward of uplifting others." – CF

Mako won the Letterboxd Audience Award for 2023.

Whakaako kia Whakaora / Educate to Liberate 2022

Producers

Chris McBride, Petrina Togi-Sa’ena

Artists/Collaborators

Huriana Kopeke-Te Aho
,
Numa McKenzie
,
Toa Sieke Taihia
,
Emory Douglas
,
Tigilau Ness
,
Chris McBride
7 minutes

"50 years later the stand for the marginalised continues. Vigilance with purpose will sustain and cultivate the seed of equality. Diversity is the nourishment of any thriving society." – CF

I Am Paradise 2023

Director, Producer, Screenplay

Cast

Rickylee Russell-Waipuka
,
Mahutonga Hotere
,
Shavaughn Ruakere
,
Teone Kahu
,
Erina Daniels
,
Neila Kahu
17 minutes

"The dreamy, escapist fantasy feel of this film contrasts deeply with the reality of lived daily life for many Māori; yet aroha and hope remain and our tamariki keep us strong." - LK