Māoriland People’s Choice 2018

For the second year running, Māoriland Film Festival has operated a People’s Choice voting system.

The 2018 Māoriland People’s Choice Award winners,
as chosen by our audience are:

PEOPLE’S CHOICE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY – MANKILLER

Directed by Valerie Red-Horse Mohl

Mankiller (2017) is the story of an American legend, Wilma Mankiller, who overcame
rampant sexism and personal challenges to emerge as the Cherokee Nation’s first
woman Principal Chief in 1985. MANKILLER examines the legacy of the formidable
Wilma Mankiller, who has been credited to this day as one of the most important
leaders in America’s fight for equality.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE BEST DRAMA WARU

Directed by Briar Grace-Smith, Casey Kaa, Ainsley Gardiner, Katie Wolfe, Renae Maihi, Chelsea Cohen, Paula Whetu Jones, Awanui Simich-Pene

WARU is a feature film made up of eight 10 minute short films, each written and directed by Māori women film makers.

Following the death of a child, eight Māori women are confronted by guilt, pride and defeat but will ultimately risk everything for the greater good of their community.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE FOR BEST SHORT FILM – POSSUM

Directed by Dave Whitehead

Possum is a tale of two young brothers who accompany their lumberjack father to a forest campsite. At odds with each other, their relationship meets the ultimate test when they venture into the woods, hunting a notorious possum named Scar.

PEOPLE’S CHOICE FOR BEST NATIVE SLAM – MOA MA LE PINKO

Directed by Courtney Montour, Jesse Littlebird and Amberley Jo Aumua.

A Samoan man grapples to come to terms with his mother’s death and her burial wishes. A visit to the cemetery leads him to a blunt and eye-opening conversation with a Maori woman also grieving the loss of her mother. Moa Ma Le Pinko (Chicken and Bingo) takes a comedic look at death, grief and moving forward. Created in 72 hours for the Native Slam III filmmaking challenge at the Maoriland Film Festival.