15 YEARS COMMEMORATIVE RETROSPECTIVE
Women in Film & Television (WIFT) NZ Mana Wahine Award AWARD RECIPIENTS Katie Wolfe – 2011 Ella Henry – 2012 Keri Kaa – 2013 Kay Ellmers - 2014 Chelsea Winstanley – 2015
Nancy Brunning & Rachel House – 2016 Christina Asher – 2017 Ainsley Gardiner – 2018 Whetu Fala – 2019 Nicole Hoey - 2020
2005
The theme of the first Wairoa Maori Film Festival (2005) was Mana Wairoa “Te Ao Mai Nga Whatu Maori” – “The World Through A Maori Lens.” AWARD RECIPIENTS
Short Film Drama (Aotearoa) Award Two Cars, One Night, Director Taika Waititi.
Best Dramatic Short (Aotearoa) Runners-Up: • Kerosene Creek, Director Michael Bennett, Producer Catherine Shelford • Tama Tu, Director Taika Waititi, Producers Cliff Curtis & Ainsley Gardiner International Indigenous Entry Award Te Toa Āniwaniwa, Director & Producer Robert Pouwhare Indigenous Entry Runners-Up: • Raven Tales, Directors Chris Kientz & Simon James • Estos Delores Somos, Director Roberto Olivares Feature Documentary (Aotearoa) Award Tuhoe A History of Resistance, Director Robert Pouwhare. Long Documentary (Aotearoa) Runners-Up: • Hikoi Inside Out, Director Kay Elmers, Producer Aroha Shelford • Hone Tuwhare: The Return Home, Director & Producer Michelle McGregor Short Documentary (Aotearoa) Award Buy Culturalism, Director & Producer Mark Sweeney (Wellington High School) Short Documentary (Aotearoa) Runners-Up: • Passion & Conflict, Director & Producer Tony Burt • Turangawaewae: A Place to Stand, Director Steven Mahoney, Producer Julian McCarthy Feature Drama (Aotearoa) Award: Whale Rider, Director Niki Caro Festival Prize: Pear Ta Ma'On Maf / The Land Has Eyes, Feature Drama, Dir.Vilsoni Hereniko, Rotuma, Fiji
2006 The theme of the 2006 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Nga Terenga Mahara ~ Nga Ara Ki Te Whakapono" – "Streams of Consciousness ~ Pathways to Belief.
WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2006 AWARD RECIPIENTS Short Film Drama (Aotearoa) Award: The Speaker, Director Tearepa Kahi. International Indigenous Entry Award: The Gathering Return of the Whale Dreamers, Director Kim Kindersley. Short Documentary (Aotearoa) Award: So Far, Yet So Close, Director Sophie Zhang. Feature Documentary (Aotearoa) Award: Squeegee Bandit, Director Sandor Lau. Best Te Reo Maori Entry: Nga Kaitiaki O Te Mauri, Director Phil England. Festival Prize: The Waimate Conspiracy, Director Stefen Lewis.
2008 The theme of the 2008 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Te Karanga O Papatuanuku – Te Waiata O Te Whenua" – "The Land Sings, The Earth Cries Out". WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2008
Festival Prize (Best Overall Entry) Festival Trophy & $500 Prize to "Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere" Director Simon Marler (Presented by Hon. Parekura Horomia) Dramatic Short (Aotearoa) Audience Award Festival Trophy to "Patu Ihu" Director Summer Agnew (Presented by Ella Henry) International Indigenous Drama Festival Trophy to "Four Sheets to the Wind" Director Sterlin Harjo (USA) (Presented by Pita Turei) International Indigenous Documentary (Short) Festival Trophy to "Nigger Lovers" Director Rhonda Hagan (Presented by Mayor Meng Foon) International Indigenous Documentary (Long) Festival Trophy to "Way of the Warrior" Director Patty Loew (Presented by Rawiri Paratene) Documentary (Aotearoa) Award Festival Trophy to "Turangaarere The John Pohe Story" Director Julian Arahanga (Presented by Mayor Les Probert)
2009 The theme of the 2009 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was “Kia Tau Te Rangimarie” – “Peace in our Time.” WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2009
Short Film Drama (Aotearoa) Audience Award: Warbrick, Pere Durie and Meihana Durie Directors. International Indigenous Entry Award: Tnorala Baby Falling, Warwick Thornton Director. Feature Drama/Documentary (Aotearoa) Award: Taking the Waewae Express, Andrea Bosshard and Shane Loader Directors. Festival Prize: Rain of the Children, Vincent Ward Director.
2010 The theme of the 2010 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Waka." WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2010
Best Male Actor (Short Film) Aotearoa:Tuhoe Isaac in DAY TRIP Best Female Actor (Short Film) Aotearoa: Shannon Claire in URU Best Maori Short Film Aotearoa (Audience Award) - Hiona Henare for URU Best International Indigenous Entry: REEL INJUN by Neil Diamond Best Aotearoa Documentary: THIS WAY OF LIFE by the Karena Family MANA WAIROA AWARD (Advancement of Indigenous Rights) Presented to HAWAII A VOICE FOR SOVEREIGNTY by Catherine Bauknight and the Native Hawaiian people
2011
The theme of the 2011 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was Maori Romance "Aroha Maori." Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2011
Best Actor – Short Film (Aotearoa Audience Award) Harlen Hoani Thompson in "Koro's Medal" Directed by James Barr
Best Male Actor – Feature Film (2011 Aotearoa Drama) Rangimoana Taylor in "Hook Line And Sinker" Directed by Andrea Bosshard & Shane Loader Best Female Actor – Feature Film (2011 Aotearoa Drama) Mabel Wharekawa-Burt in "Matariki" Directed By Michael Bennett Best Short Film (2011 Aotearoa Audience Award) "Taku Raku E" Director Kararaina Rangihau Producer Merata Mita Best International Indigenous Entry (2011 Festival) "Lani's Story" Director Genevieve Grieves (Australia) Best Aotearoa Feature Drama Or Documentary (2011 Festival) "Matariki" Director Michael Bennett For The First Time, The Wairoa Maori Film Festival In Association With WIFT Women In Film & Television Presented The WIFT Mana Wahine Award 2011: Wift Mana Wahine Award 2011 Katie Wolfe Katie Wolfe (Ngati Tama, Ngati Mutunga, Pakeha) Is A Film Maker, Actor And Director, Having Completed Two Short Films (“This Is Her” And “Redemption”) And Directed Her First Feature “Nights In The Garden Of Spain." Mana Wairoa Festival Prize (Best Overall Entry Festival 2011) "October 15" Director Kim Webby Producer Pietra Bretkelly
2012 The theme of the 2012 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was Uri O Te Hikahika O Hawaiiki - "Children of Hawaiiki." WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2012
Audience Award - Aotearoa Short Film Best Actor; Jesse James Rehu Pickery in MEATHEAD •Audience Award - Aotearoa Short Film Best Actress, Mabelle Dennison in WHAKATIKI •Audience Award - Aotearoa Best Short Film LAWNMOWER MEN OF KAPU by Libby Hakaraia •Best Documentary of Drama Feature - Aotearoa - OPERATION 8 by Abi King Jones and Errol Wright •Best International Indigenous Entry - VOICES IN THE CLOUDS by Tony Coolidge •WIFT Mana Wahine Award - to Ella Henry •Mana Wairoa Festival Prize Best Overall Entry - THE ORATOR O LE TULAFALE by Tusi Tamasese
2013 The theme of the 2013 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was Te Ara O Tawhaki - the Pathway of Tawhaki. WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2013
International Indigenous Award - BUSONG by Auraeus Solito Festival Trophy & $500 Prize sponsored by Brazilian Embassy of New Zealand Award Presented by Brazilian Ambassador Eduardo Gradilone to Auraeus Solito who had travelled to the festival from the Philippines. Audience Award Short Film - I'M GOING TO MUM'S by Lauren Jackson $500 sponsored by Whakaki Smith Whanau Audience Award Short Film - Best Actor - Duane Wichman Evans in I'M GOING TO MUM'S Audience Award Short Film - Best Actress - Jahna Batt in BUTTERFLY WIFT Mana Wahine Award - Keri Kaa Festival Trophy presented by Festival Chairperson Huia Koziol & WIFT Chairperson Robin Laing Best Documentary - Aotearoa - ALLAN BALDWIN IN FRAME by Tearepa Kahi Festival Trophy & $250 sponsored by Velvet Star Media Mana Wairoa Award - Best Overall Festival Entry - MAORI BOY GENIUS By Pietra Bretkelly & Ngaa Rauuira Puumanawawhiti Festival Trophy & $1,000 sponsored by Brave Star
Artist: Tracey Tawhiao
2014 The theme of the 2014 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Indigenous Frequencies.“ Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2014
Te Nati Film Festival Award - 2 x Return Tickets To Tahiti To Attend Te Nati 2015 - Inc'd By Darren Simmons And Rob Mokaraka Best Actor – Short Film (Aotearoa Audience Award)Rob Mokaraka in Inc’d Best Actress – Short Film (Aotearoa Audience Award)Christine Edwards As Tai in Ahi Ka
Best Short Film (Aotearoa Audience Award) - Prize: Trophy & $500 Sponsored By The Whakaki Smith Whanau Inc'd By Darren Simmons And Rob Mokaraka Best International Indigenous Entry The Haumana by Keo Woolford
Best Aotearoa Feature Drama Or Documentary - Prize: Trophy & $500 Sponsored By Brave Star Media Kotiro Maori E By Sophronia Smith Women In Film & Television (WIFT) Mana Wahine Award to Kay Ellmers Mana Wairoa Festival Prize (Best Overall Entry) Prize: Trophy & $1,000 Sponsored By Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Inc.The Pa Boys, Director Himiona Grace, Producers Mina Mathieson & Ainsley Gardiner
2015 The theme of the 2015 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Native Now!" WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2015 Aotearoa Short Film - Best Actor (Audience Award) Timoti Tiakiwai – In Ow What? By Mike Jonathon
Aotearoa Short Film - Best Actress (Audience Award) Maria Walker - In Tits On A Bull By Tim Worrall
T-Tahiti Prize (Return Business Class Flight To Tahiti On Air Tahiti) Tits On A Bull By Tim Worrall Aotearoa Short Film - Best Short Film (Audience Award) Tits On A Bull By Tim Worrall Women In Film & Television WIFT Mana Wahine Award Chelsea Winstanley International Indigenous Prize Black Panther Woman - By Rachel Perkins Mana Wairoa Award For Overall Best Entry & Advancement Of Indigenous Rights To: Confessions Of Prisoner T - The Teina Pora Story - Michael Bennett
Artist: Charlotte Graham
2016 The theme of the 2016 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Native Vibrations" / "Maori Reggae." WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2016
T-Tahiti Prize for Best Maori Themed Film Work Return trip to Tahiti, including accommodation, to the T-Tahiti film festival in 2017 ($5,000 Value) To: Todd Karehana (Maori) for THE SPECTACULAR IMAGINATION OF THE POHARA BROTHERS Girl Viking / Stark Studios Prize for Best Writing in a Scripted Short Film $200 from Girl Viking and $1000 Audio Post Production Services (Stark Studios) Plus $500 value of script consultation from Tanya Wheeler (Girl Viking) Trophy to Award Winner (designed by Natasha Keating) To: Todd Karehana (Maori) for THE SPECTACULAR IMAGINATION OF THE POHARA BROTHERS RESET / Stark Studios Prize for Best Use of Music in a Short Film $200 from RESET and $1000 Music Post Production Services (Stark Studios) Trophy to Award Winner (designed by Natasha Keating) TO: Jason Taylor (Maori) for THE TURNING TIDE White Horse / Stark Studios Prize for Emerging Maori Director $200 from White Horse and $1000 Post Production Services (Stark Studios) Trophy to Award Winner (designed by Natasha Keating) To: Robert George (NZ Maori/Cook Island Maori) for SMITHS AVE Bright Sunday Prize for Emerging Pasifika Director $5000 in-kind services from Bright Sunday marketing and publicity, plus $500 cash prize from Bright Sunday Trophy to Award Winner (designed by Natasha Keating) To: Ursula Grace Williams (Samoan) for THE KING Indigenous Grandmothers Te Reo Maori Award $1,000 prize from PET Southern Star of Mahia, Aotearoa Trophy to Award Winner (designed by Natasha Keating) To: Kararaina Rangihau (Maori) for UKAIPO WHENUA Te Wairoa Award for Media Leadership Cash prize sponsored by Wairoa District Council Trophy to Award Winner (designed by Natasha Keating) To: Kiri Gilbert, Bronson Wharehinga and Zach Stark International Indigenous Award for Global Film Making Trophy to Award Winner (designed by Natasha Keating) To: Temuera Morrison (Director, Maori) and Tiaraini Drollet Le Caill (Producer, Tahitian Maohi) for THE LOST PEARL Mana Wairoa Grand Award for Advancement of Indigenous Rights Trophy to Award Winner (designed by Natasha Keating) To: Jenny Fraser (Murri Australia) for SOLID SISTERS WIFT Wairoa Mana Wahine Award co-recipients, Nancy Brunning and Rachel House.
2017 The theme of the 2017 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Slow Cinema." WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2017
T-TAHITI PRIZE - return trip to Tahiti to travel to the T-Tahiti Film Festival Awarded to: TAMA by Jared Flitcroft & Jack O'Donnell Moana Prize (Best Pasifika Short) decided by the Moana Jury Awarded to: MARIA by Jeremiah Tauamiti Whenua Prize (Māori Short) decided by the Whenua Jury Awarded to: TAMA by Jared Flitcroft & Jack O'Donnell Audience Award - Māori Short Film Awarded to: TAMA by Jared Flitcroft & Jack O'Donnel Audience Award - Māori Short Film - Actor Awarded to: Eric Matthews as Tama, in TAMA by Jared Flitcroft & Jack O'Donnel Audience Award - Māori Short Film - Actress Awarded to: Aidee Walker, in LAUNDRY by Becs Arahanga Mana Kāinga Award - for community contribution to Māori film-making Awarded to: NATALIE - Qianna Titore & the Hokianga community Te Wairoa Award - For Contribution to Media in Wairoa Ratima Hauraki & Zach Stark RUGGED & WYLDE WMFF WIFT Mana Wahine Award Awarded to: CHRISTINA ASHER WMFF PIFT Mana Pasifika Award Awarded to: CRAIG FASI of the Pollywood Film Festival International Indigenous Award Awarded to: FROM UP NORTH by Trudy Stewart, Janine Windolph & Noel Starblanket Mana Wairoa Award - for contribution to the advancement of indigenous rights Awarded to: LGBTQI+ AOTEAROA THEN & NOW by Teresa Wells & Qmunnity Gisborne Youth
Artist: Tame Iti
2018 The theme of the 2018 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Maori Futurism." WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2018
MOANA BEST MALE ACTOR: Isaac Ligsay - Ka Piko (young man ) MOANA BEST FEMALE ACTOR PRIZE: Ruita Purea - A Boy from Rarotonga (as the grandmother) MOANA BEST FILM : My Friend Michael Jones, Directors Samson Rambo & Ian Leaupepe WHENUA BEST MALE ACTOR PRIZE : Eds Eramiha, - Meke (Sonny, the boxer) WHENUA BEST FEMALE ACTOR PRIZE: Miriama McDowell - Mouse WHENUA BEST FILM : Puoro - Komako Silver Inaugural Whakapapa Film Festival of Italy Prize was presented to Renae Maihi Pacific Islanders in Film & Television (PIFT) Mana Pasifika Award was presented to Sima Urale Women in Film & Television (WIFT) Mana Wahine Award was presented to Ainsley Gardiner Te Wairoa Award for Contribution to Media - Mary Stubbings WMFF International Indigenous Award - Asinnajaq - THREE THOUSAND Mana Wairoa Grand Prize for Advancement of Indigenous Rights WARU - Directors Various Moana Jury - Craig Fasi, Ngaire Fuata, Misa Tupou, Stella Muller Whenua Jury - Aroha Awarau, Michael Bennett, Anahera Higgins, Jani Wilson
Artist: Kereama Taepa, Font: Johnson Witehira
He Tohu Whakanui 2019 In 2019, our Festival Director Leo Koziol was recognised with the He Tohu Whakanui Award at the annual Te Aupounamu NZ Film Commission Maori Screen Excellence Awards.
NZIFF Nga Whanaunga Since 2012, Wairoa Maori Film Festival has had a relationship with the New Zealand International Film Festival to curate Maori and Pasifika short films. In 2014, curator Leo Koziol was joined by Craig Fasi of the Pollywood Film Festival. Together they curate the programme in the now rebranded Whanau Marama NZIFF Festival.
2019 The theme of the 2019 Wairoa Maori Film Festival was "Tatau Tatau - Come Together." WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2019
Pitch Wairoa Pitching Prize Te Hira Horua Waiariki $1,500 towards his film project Jade Waetford $1,500 towards her film project Mana Wairoa Te Reo Prize Recipient: Hinekura, Becs Arahanga
Te Wairoa Media Prize Recipient: Liz Hunkin Prize: Artwork from Wairoa District Council Kete by Jan McKenzie commissioned by Wairoa Maori Film Festival Moana Jury Short Non-Fiction Prize –Pasifika Director Recipient: Toa`ipuapuagā, Strength in Suffering, Vea Mafileo Moana Jury Short Fiction Prize –Pasifika Director Recipient: Liliu, Jeremiah Tauamiti Whenua Jury Short Non-Fiction Prize Prize – Maori Director Recipient: Take, Victoria Hunt Whenua Jury Short Fiction Prize Prize – Maori Director Recipient: Ani, Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu Mana Wairoa Male Actor Recipient: Shane Rangi (Die Like a Shark) Mana Wairoa Female Actor Recipient: Darneen Christian (Krystal, by Briar Grace-Smith) Women in Film & Television (WIFT) Mana Wahine Award Recipient: Whetu Fala Mana Wairoa International Indigenous Award Recipient: Hiona Henare for women directors of Spirit Womon Mana Wairoa – Advancement of Indigenous Film Recipient: Fred Renata Whenua Jury 2019: Sonja Hammer, Tama Waipara, Jani Wilson, Tim Worrall Moana Jury 2019: Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa, Craig Fasi, Marina McCartney, Misa Tupou
2020 The theme of the 2020 Wairoa Maori Film Fesival was "Kotahitanga - Tino Rangatiratanga - Mana" WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL 2020
Audience Award - Maori Directed Short Film - Hangi Pants, Jake Mokomoko Whenua Prize - Best Maori Director (Short Film) - Mika for Gurl Moana Prize - Best Pasifika Director (Short Film) - Robert George for I Am The Moment Te Reo Maori Prize (Short Film) - Daddy's Girl / Kotiro - Cian Elise Waiti Whakapapa Film Festival of Italy Award - Daddy's Girl / Kotiro - Cian Elise Waiti Mana Wairoa Award (Advancement of Indigenous Rights) - Gather
Women in Film & Television (WIFT) Mana Wahine Award Recipient: Nicole Hoey Whenua Jury: Joseph Rickit, Nicola Smith, Dan Taulapapa McMullin, Ira Heyder Moana Jury: Renae Maihi, Ani O'Neill, Craig Fasi, Louisa Tipene Opetaia
SUPPORTING AOTEAROA FILM MAKING SINCE 2005 Wairoa Maori Film Festival completed a survey of our accepted NZ entries from 2017 to 2021. The results: • • • • •
In the past five years 142 Aotearoa films screened across five film festivals. Of these films 56% were directed by female directors, 40% were directed by male directors and 4% were directed by other gender. Of these films, 23% were directed as student films, and 77% of the films were not. Language wise, 57% of films were primarily in the English language, 22% were in English/Maori, 12% were in NZ Maori and 9% were in a Pasifika tongue (Cook Island Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Tokelau). Of these films, 70% are directed/written/or produced by Maori creatives, 17% made primarily by Pacific creatives, and 13% are made by Pakeha creatives.
TESTIMONIALS Winning The Whakapapa Film Festival award was a wonderful honour that gave me the opportunity to go to Italy and build connections with the beautiful community in the province of Matera. With this award, I was able to develop an entirely new audience and gain a new fan base. I was hosted there as a VIP in what was to become the European Captial of Arts and Culture in 2019 and the full press conference put me and my films on the radar of Italy. Furthermore the cultural heritage minister of Matera made a commitment to support me for any projects that I may have and/or wish to film in their region in the future. Audience development is crucial for a filmmaker and I have a very genuine commitment to this. While in Italy, importantly as a storyteller, I was able to visit the graves of our fallen NZ soldiers, including our Māori Battalion in Monte Cassino and this sparked a story idea for me that I hope to develop in future and return to Italy to film. I would also like to say personally for me as a Māori woman that it is challenging in our careers because we have to contend with sexism, racism, imposter syndrome and lateral violence. These things delay our careers and chip away at our self belief. Leo Koziol and the Wairoa Māori FIlm Festival have always, always been there supporting me and my films and this support has been so important to me I will always hold a soft spot in my heart for Leo and this festival. - Renae Maihi
TESTIMONIALS
From Film Freeway
Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2021 COMING SOON