NZIFF: Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2024

This collection of seven Māori and Pasifika short films has been selected by co-curators Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka), Director of the Wairoa Film Festival, and Craig Fasi (Nuie), Director of Pollywood Film Festival.

Support these homegrown films and vote for your favourites at screenings all across the motu.

Films are listed in the order that they will screen. Please note that if any films are classified with an R rating, children under the rating age will need to leave the screening for the film(s).

My Brother
USA 2023
Director, Screenplay: Misa Tupou
Producer: Jana Park Moore | Cinematography, Editor: Keli’I Grace | Cast: Maima Savusa, Tupasi Toetu’u | 8 mins | In Tongan, Samoan and English, with English subtitles
Health of mind and especially body is often overlooked – Pasifika people are proud, towers of strength; in denial of the unwilling host to illness that they are. Change is choice – quality of life the decision. — CF

Butterfly/Bataplai
USA 2023
Director, Producer, Screenplay, Editor: Veialu Aila-Unsworth
Cinematography: Judd Overton | Music: Maxwell Stone, Otis Kane | Cast: Regina Pande, Graham Pande, Joana Mate, Olivia Korken | 8 mins | In English and Tok Pisin, with English subtitles
Unique, distinct, bold and proud – understanding and acknowledgement to own who you are despite the generic prejudice you will encounter. Embrace, enhance, expose – be Butterfly/Bataplai. — CF

The Great South
Aotearoa NZ 2023
Director, Screenplay: Taniora Ormsby
Producers: Taniora Ormsby, Aimee Laurent | Cinematography: Christopher Jackson | Editor: Issac Hetaraka | Cast: Zharn Pokoati, Tumamao George, Chantal Stowers, Tawhero Ungakore, Lucy James | 11 mins
Sometimes life isn't as black and white as we think it is, sometimes it’s red and blue – the hope in hopeless times is to somehow stay true. — LK

The Red Room
Aotearoa NZ 2023
Director, Screenplay: Alex Liu
Producer: Jacob Vale | Cinematography: Caleb Corlett | Editor: Luke Earl | Music: Mike Newport | Cast: Mikey Falesiu, Catherine Yates, Samson Vaotuua, Brendon Greene, TJ Snow | 17 mins
Therapy in the form of fantasy located in tomorrow here for you today. Suffering to heal via an “institution” that thrives with failure of the human condition. Stay calm – be prepared – know your enemy. — CF

Show Home
Aotearoa NZ 2023
Director: Jane Shearer
Producers: Sarah Cook, Jimena Murray | Screenplay: Jane Shearer, Steve Ayson | Cinematography: Marty Williams | Editor: Lucas Baynes | Cast: Miriama McDowell, Kip Chapman | 15 mins
The universe can teach if you are willing to learn. Desperation and lack of any contingency creates delusion and false hope. Sacrifice deserves certainty – words like hope and potential are fairytales. — CF

Hands of Fate
Aotearoa NZ 2023
Director: Sima Urale
Cinematography: Jared Jones | Cast: Zaynah Alexander-Champion, Nikhil Jade, Tulsa Saumamao | 6 mins
Not just another night in the city, a tale untold revealed; perhaps helplessness is a disguise. — LK

Chatterbox
Aotearoa NZ 2023
Director: Tainui Tukiwaho
Producer: Acacia O’Connor | Screenplay: Tuakoi Ohia, Tainui Tukiwaho, Brady Peeti | Cinematography/Editor: Amarbir Singh | Music: Brady Peeti, Tuakoi Ohia | Cast: Brady Peeti, Tuakoi Ohia, Richie Grzyb, Rei Samuel | 14 mins
The new Aotearoa Rocky Horror we didn't know we needed explodes on screen. Enjoy the ride, for this story will surely leave you wanting more, more, more! — LK