Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab Launches Bold New Slate of Māori Feature Films at imagineNATIVE

Friday, June 6, 2025

Toronto, ON — Māoriland, Aotearoa New Zealand’s leading Indigenous screen organisation, proudly presents the international launch of The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab (MICL) feature film slate at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival in Toronto, Canada.

The MICL is Aotearoa’s first Indigenous feature film development lab, grounded in the Māori principle of tuakana-teina—a reciprocal model of mentorship that connects emerging and established Indigenous filmmakers to share knowledge, skill, and expertise. 

Over a nine-month intensive process, the MICL has developed eight bold and original feature film projects from Māori storytellers.

Today at imagineNATIVE, these feature projects will be introduced to international industry guests, co-production partners, and funders through a showcase with the writers and producers.

MĀORILAND INDIGENOUS CO-LAB

• MAHUIKA by Paula Whetu Jones, produced by Sandra Kailahi – The love between mothers and daughters in one family is tested when a 14-year-old girl is sexually violated, forcing them to come together to heal or lose each other in the flames of rage and blame.
  
  
• HIDDEN by Aroha Awarau, produced by Jason Taylor – Two unlikely allies – a disgraced Māori cop and a grieving Samoan mother – must overcome their homophobia and outwit corrupt authorities to rescue their gay loved ones, who have been captured by human traffickers and bound for Europe.
  
• THE JADE STARS by Rafer Rautjoki, produced by Heperi Mita – Career ambitions clash with bittersweet romance in 1960’s Auckland, as an aspiring rock ‘n’ roll singer and a savvy young Māori woman attempt to find their place in a time of momentous social and cultural change.
  
  
• DON TE HAUTE by Kirk Torrance, produced by Angela Cudd – Lost in a haze of talking lizards, goddesses, alcohol and depression, Don teeters on the edge of oblivion. But when the daughter he long ago abandoned knocks on his front door, he must make a choice: Take on the world or watch her walk in his footsteps. 
  
  
• HEMO IS HOME by Tainui Tukiwaho, produced by Lanita Ririnui – Raised by ghosts. Haunted by questions. When a sinister spirit rises, nine-year-old Hemo must unlock his ancestral power and defend the only home he’s ever known—the family cemetery.

TUAKANA

• THE UGLIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD by Kath Akuhata Brown, produced by Lea McLean – To inherit her Australian husband’s estate MĀori woman Adi Kincaid must prove to a judge that she is indeed, the ugliest woman in the world.
  
  
• DISCO KUINI by Libby Hakaraia, produced by Madeleine Hakaraia de Young – A Indigenous girlhood anthem set in 1980s Aotearoa with a Polynesian funk soundtrack

TEINA

• PRESSURE by Bronson Price (aka Melodownz), produced by Māoriland Films – Three teens in Auckland, a young private school student, a promising young rugby league prospect, and an aspiring rapper caught in the streets, face life-defining choices as loyalty, pressure, and betrayal push them to the edge in a city that rarely forgives.

The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab is Aotearoa’s first Indigenous-led feature film lab, backed by Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga –  New Zealand Film Commission’s Industry-Led Talent Development Fund, and Māoriland’s Te Uru Maire – Māori Trades Training Program. 

This year-long project guides Māori filmmakers from concept to market through a four-stage process—script development, team formation, project packaging, and industry engagement.

Five writers were selected through a competitive process led by the Co-Lab Kāhui: Adam Piron, Lindsay Monture, Emile Peronard, Tainui Stephens, and Libby Hakaraia. The programme is shaped by tuakana–teina—a model of reciprocal learning between experienced and emerging creatives.

Hip hop artist and first-time screenwriter Bronson Price (Melodownz) joined as a teina through Māoriland’s Te Uru Maire – Māori Trades Training Program. The writers’ room, facilitated by tuakana Kath Akuhata Brown and Libby Hakaraia, alongside visiting experts including Joan Sheckel (LA) and Monty Soutar (Aotearoa) was a space of shared creativity. 

Following the Script Accelerator, producers were attached to each film to form creative teams now advancing through international markets.

“The experience was profoundly impactful in shaping both the script and my journey as a screenwriter. Being immersed in a kaupapa Māori environment, surrounded by fellow Māori screenwriters and international Indigenous mentors, created a powerful sense of community and cultural affirmation. Together, we supported each other, not only in storytelling craft but also in navigating the film industry as indigenous creatives. This collaborative and culturally grounded setting provided a rare and enriching foundation to grow as a Māori writer.”  – Aroha Awarau

The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab builds on a decade of Indigenous collaboration through NATIVE Slam, Ngā Pakiaka, and MATCH. Supported by a collective of international Indigenous filmmakers, including recent Canadian Screen Award winners Gail Maurice and Marie Clements, the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab is powered by Puritia Framework—Maiangitia te mana ātaata: toward Māori screen success.

Kāiarahi (Mentors): Chris Kahunahuna, Jules Koostachin, Marie Clements, Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa, Zoe Hopkins, Billy Luther, Gail Maurice

Kāhui: Emile Peronard, Adam Piron, Lindsay Monture, Tainui Stephens, Libby Hakaraia

Māoriland: Madeleine Hakaraia de Young, Oriwa Hakaraia, Matilda Poasa, Jaimee Poipoi