NZIFF: Ngā Whānaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2023

This collection of eight 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 (Niue), Director of Pollywood Film Festival.

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."

Rated M