Māoriland Film Festival Connects Indigenous Filmmakers
Why this is here: The festival facilitates a two-way cultural exchange, with filmmakers from Aotearoa traveling to Australia to teach filmmaking skills and share their culture with young Australians.
Indigenous filmmakers from around the world are meeting in Ōtaki, New Zealand this week for the 13th annual Māoriland Film Festival. The festival, running until Saturday, has grown to showcase over 100 films. Filmmakers from Australia are participating in a cultural exchange, staying at a local marae and sharing their work.
Filmmakers are building relationships and discussing co-productions. The New Zealand Film Commission supports these connections, aiming to foster international collaboration. Organizers note the festival provides a grassroots foundation for industry-level initiatives.
Taniora Ormsby, a Māori filmmaker, is presenting his horror short Devil in the Gat at the festival. He hopes to see more Māori filmmakers explore diverse genres beyond traditional colonial stories. Festival director Tainui Stephens says the event unites people with a shared indigenous perspective and a focus on supporting young storytellers.