EOI for Creatives – MFF2026

Hā – History of Aotearoa Papamahi at MFF2025

Call for Indigenous Creatives – Māoriland Film Festival 2026

Ōtaki, Aotearoa – Māoriland Film Festival (MFF) invites Indigenous creatives of all disciplines to express their interest in presenting work at MFF2026, March 2026.

The MFF is the world’s largest Indigenous film festival, welcoming thousands of visitors each year to celebrate Indigenous creativity in all its forms. Alongside our film programme, we are calling for Indigenous artists, performers, and collectives to contribute works that will transform Ōtaki into a space alive with stories, art, and performance.

Tāme Iti at MFF2025

Numa MacKenzie at MFF2025

We welcome proposals from across disciplines, including but not limited to:

Sculpture, installation, and light art
Live Music, DJs
Wānanga and Papamahi
Multimedia and gallery works (painting, photography, textiles, carving, taonga, digital art)
Sound art, VR/AR/XR, and emerging technology
Site-specific and public art

Note: Creatives working in film, video, or music video formats should submit their work via FilmFreeway.

Terms

This EOI is open to Indigenous artists only (Māori, First Peoples, Aboriginal, Native, Tribal, etc.).
This is an Expression of Interest, not a funding opportunity.
We are seeking completed works or works already in progress that can be presented at the festival.
If selected, Māoriland will negotiate artist fees. In some cases, Māoriland may also seek funding to enable the inclusion of the work or support the creative to apply for a grant.
Submitting an EOI does not guarantee inclusion in the festival.

How to Apply

Complete the online EOI form by October 24 2025. Applicants will be notified of outcomes by 31 January 2026.

Contact [email protected] with any questions

Māoriland is guided by kaupapa Māori values and is committed to presenting works that uplift Indigenous voices, respect cultural integrity, and engage audiences in powerful, transformative experiences.

NGĀ POU O TE WHARE

Hou mai koe ki roto i te whare kōrero o Māoriland. Ko tōna tāhuhu ko te iwi, ko te poutāhu ko te mana o te kupu, ko te poutuarongo ko te ira tangata. Kei waenga ko te poutokomanawa o te aroha noa. Ka mutu, ko ngā pou koko ka titi iho ki te whenua ko ēnei:

We bid you entry into our house of stories. The ridgepole is the people, the front post is the authority of the word, the rear post is the essence of our humanity. Between them, we find the support pillar of love. The posts that anchor the corners to the land are these:

CELEBRATION

Māoriland celebrates the rise of Indigenous cinema. It invites filmmakers from around the world to share their compelling big screen stories with us, and with each other.

INSPIRATION

Māoriland upholds the mana and inspiration of our storytellers. We are guided by our elders, and taught by our children. The festival assists our community to expand their perspectives and to connect with those from other cultures.

RESPECT

Māoriland is rooted in the traditions and language of the hapū and iwi of Ōtaki. It is our honour to extend manaakitanga to the many visitors to the festival.

INCLUSION

Māoriland provides a portal to the Indigenous world for ALL people. It assists social cohesion, a sense of pride, and the informed well- being of our community.