Māoriland Film Festival named finalist in the 2018 NZEA Event Awards

Māoriland Film Festival (MFF) is among some of NZ’s best events as a finalist in the 2018 NZEA Event Awards.

The MFF is one of five finalists in the Best Arts or Cultural Event 2018 category that includes A Waka Odyssey (New Zealand Festival), Matariki Festival 2018 (Auckland Council), Pop-up Globe Auckland Season 3 (Pop-up Globe Auckland) and Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe.

“It’s really exciting to be recognised among some really major events in NZ’s biggest cities. Our congratulations to all of the finalists especially those behind Te Hui Ahurei a Tuhoe. Our whanau of Māoriland are thrilled at being a finalist and what this means for Ōtaki and the Kapiti Coast” said Festival Director Libby Hakaraia

In March 2018, MFF celebrated its fifth annual festival in Ōtaki with over 12,500 visitors attending screenings, workshops and special events over five days. 60 international Indigenous filmmakers travelled from across the globe to present their work which included 10 NZ premieres of international feature films.

Mandated by Ngā Hapu o Ōtaki and organised by the Māoriland Charitable Trust, the MFF is a whānau led kaupapa Māori event that celebrates the vibrancy and vitality of Indigenous cinema each March. In just five years the festival has grown from working out of a small caravan to being the largest international Indigenous film festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

It is a huge achievement for the festival and for Ōtaki – whose community rally around the festival volunteering their time and energy to bring the festival to life.

As MFF has grown, so too have the activities of the Māoriland Charitable Trust (MCT). In 2017, the MCT opened the Māoriland Hub – the former Edhouse’s department store, now a multi-purpose kaupapa Māori multi purpose arts space. From here, the MCT host events and other activities year-round.

MFF2019 will be held from March 20 – 24, 2019. Keep an eye on our Facebook and website for programme updates – the full programme will be released on Waitangi Day – February 6, 2019.