Looking back on Māoriland Film Festival 2023

From March 15-19, the Māoriland Film Festival (MFF), the largest international Indigenous film festival in the world, celebrated its 10 year anniversary. 2023 marked Māoriland’s biggest film festival to date, with over 140 films screened from 150 Indigenous nations.

The community of Ōtaki saw the return of international guests on a never-before-seen scale; with over 100 filmmakers and industry professionals flying in from overseas. 

Wednesday’s opening night events commenced with Festival Director Libby Hakaraia delivering the annual Keynote Address at Rangiātea Church, reflecting on the history of Māoriland Films in Ōtaki. 

“It was an honour to stand in Rangiātea and share the story of where the name Māoriland came from as well as to talk about the past 10 years of our festival.  We exist for the cultural, social and economic benefit of our community. 

It has been hard work to grow something from zero and at the same time remain independent. 

Culturally we are secure in our whakapapa connection to Ōtaki in that it is not a venue but a home. We know we must continue to play our role as the storytellers to contribute to the vision that has been active in our community now for close to 50 years and has supported the revitalisation of reo me ōna tikanga.

Socially we see Indigenous film as an activator – engaging people in kōrero and spuring them to action. The stories we watch both shape the way we see the world and the radical inspiration we need to change it. 

And economically the MFF has contributed over $12 million dollars into our local economy.”

Many major features also had cast and crew in attendance including Etienne Aurelius, Chelsea Winstanley and Mainei Kinimaka for ‘Ka Pō’, Madison Thomas for ‘Buffy Sainte-Marie: Carry It On’,  Jules Koostachin for ‘Broken Angel’, Gail Maurice for ‘ROSIE’, Marie Clements for ‘Bones of Crows’ and Jub Clerc for ‘Sweet As’.

Rangatahi (youth) presence is a key aspect of the festival that was praised by many. Māoriland rangatahi leadership group ‘Ngā Pakiaka’ were responsible for opening and closing each screening and industry event, and facilitated Q&A’s with filmmakers.

“You can’t help but gaze at Ngā Pakiaka, “the roots,” and feel proud as you watch these exceptional rangatahi leaders flourish, knowing that they are the products of seeds planted some ten years ago by Libby, Tainui and Maddy.” says Kaiwhakahau Rangatahi, Aree Kapa.

Throughout the week, the Toi Matarau Gallery at the Māoriland Hub showcased ‘Ngā Tūmanako’ a new toi Māori exhibition featuring works by Darcy Nicholas, Karl Rangikawhiti Leonard, Jacqui Broughton, Jago Collier, Natasha Keating and more. Ngā Tūmanako is available to view at the Toi Matarau Gallery until May 20.

The annual Māoriland Red Carpet Party on Sunday night served as an opportunity to celebrate the filmmakers and collaborators at MFF2023. The Modern Māori Quartet lit up the stage with a performance of classic 80s covers.

The MFF2023 People’s Choice Awards were announced at the annual Red Carpet Party – recognising the films that left audiences stunned:

• ‘Tōtara’ Best Feature Film: Sweet As – Dir. Jub Clerc
• ‘Rimu’ Best Feature Documentary: A Boy Called Piano – The Story of Fa’amoana John Luafutu – Dir. Nina Nawalowalo
• ‘Māhuri’ Best Short Drama: E Mālama Pono, Willy Boy – Dir. Scott W. Kekama Amona
• ‘Māota’ Best Short Documentary: Plastic – A Love Letter to the Estranged – Dir. Va’a Magalogo

The Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Award was also presented at the Red Carpet Party by Te O Kahurangi Waaka on behalf of Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga. 

The award recognises and celebrates members of the Māori filmmaking community who have displayed a high-level contribution and/or achievement in screen storytelling. The recipients of this award for 2023 are Māoriland’s very own Tainui Stephens who has worked tirelessly in the screen industry for over 40 years. Tweedie Waititi who is one of the producers behind the reo Māori Disney films was also awarded a Te Aupounamu award.