MFF19 Programme Announcement |Celebrating Te Moananui a Kiwa at the 2019 Māoriland Film Festival

Māoriland Film Festival MFF, MFF2019, News

Announcing the programme for the largest Indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere

The biggest Indigenous film festival in the southern hemisphere is almost here. Hosted in Ōtaki on the Kāpiti Coast, the sixth annual Māoriland Film Festival (MFF) is bringing over 138 films and 62 events from 94 Indigenous nations to Aotearoa.

The 2019 MFF programme will be released on Waitangi Day (Wednesday 6 February) and will feature a strong lineup of films from Te Moananui a Kiwa (the Pacific), including the southern hemisphere premiere of Vai.

Made by the producers of the critically acclaimed ‘Waru’, ‘Vai’ is a portmanteau feature film directed by eight female Pacific Island filmmakers and filmed in seven Pacific countries: Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Kuki Aīrani (Cook Islands), Samoa, Niue and Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Another seven Pacific features and 41 short films from Aotearoa, Hawai’i, Papua New Guinea, Rapanui, Guam, Haida Gwaii, Vanuatu and more are scheduled in the 2019 programme, including the southern hemisphere premieres of Moananuiākea: One Ocean. One Canoe. One People and SGaawaay K’uuna (Edge of the Knife).

Moananuiākea: One Ocean. One Canoe. One People celebrates the epic voyage of the Hōkūle’a around the globe. Launched in 1976, the Hōkūle’a has travelled over 470,000 nautical miles to 85 ports and 26 nations, connecting countless individuals and communities around the globe.

Sgaawaay K’uuna makes history as the first feature film in the Haida language. Nearly lost to the terrible consequences of smallpox, residential schools, church and government intervention, there are currently less than 60 fluent speakers of Haida, many over the age of 70. Made to be a catalyst for language revitalisation and economic development, it tells the classic Haida story of the traumatised and stranded man transformed to Gaagiixiid, the wildman.

Filmed on stunning Haida Gwaii, Gwaai Edenshaw and Helen Haig-Brown’s 19th-century epic is a nod to the grand storytelling traditions that lure us to the big screen.

Māoriland Film Festival Director Libby Hakaraia says, “Indigenous stories help us make sense of our world, of our connections and our shared humanity. Our sixth festival includes stories from the polar regions, from the deserts, from the mountains of Iran and Nepal, and from nations who dwell upon and beside the planet’s vast oceans including the Pacific.

Indigenous films from the United States, Canada, Northern Europe, Iran and more will feature over the five-day festival as Indigenous cinema gains more recognition and wins more awards at some of the world’s largest film festivals.

Over 50 per cent of programmed directors are female, celebrating a diversity that Hollywood is often criticised for its lack of.

With many of these filmmakers planning to travel to Ōtaki to present their films, festival attendees will have the unique opportunity to meet and mingle with the storytellers and hear about their experiences directly.

The Māoriland Rangatahi Film Festival (MRFF) also promises to again be a major drawcard for schools in the lower North Island presenting films created by young people from around the world.

Programmed by youth for their peers these films give the filmmakers of tomorrow the chance to express their experiences and identities through the medium of film, and encourages them to engage with, challenge and reflect the issues in their day-to-day lives.

The MFF is now the largest public event on the Kāpiti Coast annually, hosting over 12,000 visitors in 2018 and providing $1.3 million into the local economy.

The Māoriland Film Festival takes place between 20 – 24 March and features over 138 films and 62 events from 94 Indigenous nations from across the globe – ranging from the Sámi people of Northern Europe through to First Nations and Native Americans of North America, Te Moananui a Kiwa (the Pacific), South East Asia, the Aboriginal people of Australia and the tangata whenua of Aotearoa.

Māoriland Film Festival Key Facts & Figures:

62 Events to be held over five days.
21 feature films and 117 short films with filmmakers from 19 countries and 94 Indigenous nations – 138 films in total.
37 New Zealand films
18 New Zealand premieres of international films including 8 Southern Hemisphere premieres.
50% of programmed filmmakers identify as women.
MFF2018 was attended by 12,000 visitors contributing over $1.3 million to Ōtaki and the wider Kāpiti Coast economy.

MFF2019 Complete List of Titles:

Southern Hemisphere Premieres of international Indigenous feature films

Anori (Greenlandic/Kalaallit Nunaat) directed by Pipaluk Kreutzmann Jørgensen
Dawnland directed by Adam Mazo, produced by Bruce Duthu (Houma), executive produced by Heather Rae (Cherokee), Impact Produced by Tracy Rector (Choctaw/Seminole)
Haka Puai Te Kainga (Eating Up Easter) (Rapanui) directed by Sergio M. Rapu
Trouble in the Garden (Nehiyaw (Great Plains Cree)) directed by Roz Owen, executive produced by Raven Sinclair
Moananuiākea: One Ocean. One Canoe. One People. (Kanaka Maoli) directed by Na’alehu Anthony
Ohiyesa: The Soul of an Indian (Flandreau Santee Sioux) directed by Sydney Beane, John Whitehead, Jesse Heinzen
SGaawaay K’uuna (Edge of The Knife) (Haida ) directed by Gwaai Edenshaw, Helen Haig-Brown
Vai (Fiji, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Kuki Aīrani, Niue, Māori), directed by Nicole Whippy, ‘Ofa-Ki-Levuka Guttenbeil-Likiliki, Matasila Freshwater, Amberley Jo Aumua, Mīria George, Marina Alofagia McCartney, Dianna Fuemana, Becs Arahanga

Aotearoa Premieres of of international Indigenous feature films

Aliko & Ambai (Arufa Village, Bena Jenno Kanagio – Koiken, East Sepik) directed by Mark Eby, Diane Anton
Angelique’s Isle (Anishinaabe) directed by Michelle Derosier and Marie-Hélène Cousineau
Akornatsinniittut – Tarratta Nunaanni (Among us – In The Land Of Our Shadows) (Inuit) directed by Marc Fussing Rosbach
Black Divaz (Wonnarua Clan group) directed by Adrian Russell Wills
Connection to Country (Ngarluma) directed by Tyson Mowarin
Iglu: Angirraq (House:Home) (Inuit) Mosha Folger
In My Own Words (Indigenous Australia) directed by Erica Glynn
Tia and Piujuq (Inuit) directed by Lucy Tulugarjuk
Toyon Kyyl (Sakha) directed by Eduard Novikov
Voice From The Desert (Anangu), directed by Amy Pysden, Daniel Clarke, produced by Zaachariaha Fielding

By Country:

Aotearoa

Banabans of Rabi (Niue, Banaban, Gilbertese)directed by Blessen Tom, Hele Ikimotu
Cosmic Adventures (Samoan / Māori) directed by Bailey Poching
Fan Girl (Samoa) directed by Mario Faumui
He Oranga Pumau (Ngāpuhi, Ngāi Tahu) directed by Tanya Filia, Jessie McVeagh
I Am Waru (Ngāti Porou) directed by Angela Cudd-Wharehinga
Island Fu (Rarotonga) directed by Maya Solomon, Paeone Thatcher
Kōwhai (Ngā Puhi, Ngāti Hāmoa) directed by Aydriannah Tuiali’i
Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāi Te Rangi), directed by Heperi Mita
My Brother Mitchell (Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Ruapani, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngai Te Rangi) directed by Todd Karehana
My Friend Michael Jones (Samoa), directed by Ian Leaupepe and Samson “Rambo”
Rock, Paper, Scissors, Miracle? (Rarotonga) directed by Astarlli Taokia & Jette Johnson
The Crossroads: Le Māgafā (Samoa) directed by Sani Sagala
The Grave Digger of Kapu (Ngāti Kapu, Ngāti Raukawa ki te Tonga) directed by Libby Hakaraia
The Messiah (Samoa) directed by Vela Manusaute
The Note (Aitutaki) directed by Andrea George
Uapōifalemalu (Samoa) directed by Brown Paper Ink, Crooked Fence Films
Who We Are (Rarotonga) directed by Callia Newnham (Through Our Lens)

Australia

Fly Peewee, Fly! (Wiradjuri) directed by Sally Riley
No Way To Forget (Gunditjmara) directed by Richard Frankland
Payback (Kaytej) directed by Warwick Thornton
Round Up (Bulgunwarra, Ngāruahine) directed by Rima Tamou
Saturday Night, Sunday Morning (Bulgunwarra, Ngāruahine) directed by Rima Tamou
Two Bob Mermaid (Dunghutti) directed by Darlene Johnson
Undiscovered Country (Ngarluma) directed by Tyson Mowarin
Walter’s Ghost (Indigenous Australia) directed by Caden Pearson

Canada

A World Of Our Own (Ojibwe) directed by Morningstar Derosier
Aaahhh!!! Flipping Dinosaurs & Floppy Fish! (Temagami First Nation (Bear Island)) directed by Alysha
Biidaaban: The Dawn Comes (Michif) directed by Amanda Strong
Fast Horse (Cree) directed by Alexandra Lazarowich
First Impressions (Peters First Nation, Sto:lo) directed by Andrew Genaille
Heads Up (Algonquin) directed by Abraham Cote
Heels to Heal (First Nations) directed by Eileen Francis
Her Water Drum (Tuscarora (Haudenosaunee)) directed by Jonathan Elliott
Idle No More (Algonquin) directed by Ginger Cote
In The Valley Of Wild Horses (Cree, Iroquois, Carrier and Tsilhqot’in) directed by Asia Youngman and Trevor Mack
Ka Ussi – Tsishkutamashuht (Les Debutants) (Innue) directed by Rachel, Béatrice, Gisèle Mark
Kuujjuaq (Inuit) directed by Sammy Gadbois
Leave It On the Water (Penelakut Tribe) directed by Steve Sxwithultxw
Les Vaillants (Anishinaabe) directed by Martin Gunn
Mahiganiec (Petite Louve) (Inuit) directed by Jacqueline Michel
OChiSkwaCho (Cree) directed by Jules Koostachin
Out of Nothing (Cree) directed by Alexandra Lazarowich and Janna Kyllästinen
Protect Our Future Daughters (Mi’gmaq) directed by Maryanne Junta, Helena Lewis
Remediation (Haida/Nisga’a) directed by Luke Parnell
Run As One – The Journey of the Front Runners (Wolastoqey from Tobique First Nation) directed by Erica Daniels
Sacred By Nature (Siksika Blackfoot) directed by Trevor Solway
Silent Film (Mohawk) directed by Hunter Cyr Montour, Wyatt Harper, Dylan Standup
Spirit (Muskeg Lake Cree Nation – Plains Cree) directed by Tristin Greyness
The Amautalik (Inuit) directed by Neil Christopher
The Importance of Dreaming (Wolastoqey from Tobique First Nation) directed by Tara Audibert
The National Interest (Peters First Nation, Sto:lo) directed by Andrew Genaille
The Story of Pasha (Inuk) directed by Pasha Partridge
Ukaliq and Kalla Go Fishing (Inuit) directed by Nadia Mike
Waaseyaa (Garden Village, Nipissing First Nation, Ojibwe, Bear Clan) directed by Evelyn Pakinewatik
We’ll Always Have Toynbee (Mohawk) directed by Sonia B. Boileau
Within The Stars (Oglala Lakota / Diné directed by Razelle Benally
Ya’ma’yetha (The Hunter) (Nakoda) directed by Cameron Kootenay, Daryl Kootenay

Finland

Eatnanvuloš lottit – Maan sisällä linnut (Birds in the Earth) ( Sámi) directed by Marja Helander
Gobmemáinnas (Sápmi) directed by Niki Rasmus
Salbma (Hymn) ( Sámi) directed by Katja Gauriloff
You & Me (Utsjoki,Sápmi) directed by Lada Suomenrinne

Germany

Reclamation (Teques/Caribe) directed by Viveka Frost

Greenland

Greenland Timelapses | Qeqertarsuaq (Greenlandic Inuk) directed by Ulannaq Ingemann

Guam

i Hinanao-ta (Our Journey) (Chamoru) directed by Cara Flores

Hawai’i

Hae Hawai’i (Native Hawaiian) directed by Ty Sanga
Last Taxi Dance (Kanaka Maoli) directed by Brayden Yoder
Leitis In Waiting (Kanaka Maoli, Tonga) directed by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson
Mauka to Makai (Kanaka Maoli) directed by Jonah Okano, Alika Maikau
Praise Song for Oceania (Kanaka Maoli) directed by Justyn Ah Chong
Ka Mahina a Me Ka Po (The Moon and The Night) (Kanaka Maoli) directed by Erin Lau
Down on the Sidewalk in Waikiki (Kanaka Maoli) directed by Justyn Ah-Chong

India

Niyamgiri – The Mountain of Law (Kondh Tribe, Odisha, India directed by Surya Shankar Dash

Iran

Taghi (Revolt) (Iran) directed by Kooroosh Asgari
The Hunt (Bushehr-Iran) directed by Masoud Kazerouni
Are You Volleyball?! (Iran) directed by Mohammad Bakhshi
Balance (Iran, Kurdistan, Kobani, Shangal) directed by Barzan Rostami

Mexico

Hant Quij Coipaxi Hac – The Creation of the World (Comcáac (Seri), Metis) directed by Antonio Coello
How Did The Rabbit Get To The Moon (Huastec) directed by Gabriela Badillo
The Sorcerer’s Cricket (Yaqui) directed by Gabriela Badillo

Nepal

Phulsiri (Gurung) directed by Ngima Gelu Lama

Norway

Boom Boom ( Sámi) directed by Per-Josef Idivuoma
Solas Datter (Daughter of the Sun) ( Sámi) directed by Sara Margrethe Oskal

Sweden

Home (Inuit, Greenlandic) directed by Inuk Jørgensen
Matej (Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Awa, Te Arawa and Ngāti Ruapani) directed by Julian Karehana

Swaziland

Emkhatsini (Between) (Ngāti Pareraukawa / Ngāti Huia) directed by Toa Stappard

United States of America

Believer (Ponca/Ojibwe) directed by Migizi Pensoneau
Black Mountain Boy (Diné/Navajo) directed by Jonathon Yellowhair
dukʷibəɫ swatixʷtəd (Changer’s Land) (Choctaw) directed by Tracy Rector
Fainting Spells (Ho-Chunk Nation) directed by Sky Hopinka
First Medicine; The long Man (Cherokee Nation) directed by Joseph Erb
Gʷidəq (Geoduck) (Choctaw) directed by Tracy Rector
Hooghan (Navajo) directed by Blackhorse Lowe
Light (Cherokee) directed by Sarah Hennigan
Shell No (Choctaw) directed by Tracy Rector
The Man They Call Fuel (Choctaw, Cherokee) directed by Zach Litwack, produced by Colleen Thurston, Jennifer Loren
The Violence of a Civilisation without Secrets (Ojibway) directed by Adam Khalil, Zack Khalil, Jackson Polys
Walk In Beauty (Diné, Mandan Hidatsa, Tsimshian) directed by Forrest Goodluck
Your Name Isn’t English (Nüümü (paiute) , Dinè (Navajo), Apache) directed by Tazbah Rose Chavez

Vanuatu

Tulalip and Gaua – Merelava Women’s Shellfish Project (Ni-Vanuatu) directed by Georgina Kaitiplel

+ the NATIVE Slam IV and E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Challenge (Titles yet to be announced)

VR Films at MFF2019

Awavena (Yawanawa), directed by Lynette Wallworth, produced by Tashka Yawanawa, Laura Yawanawa
Biidaaban: First Light (Anishinaabe), directed by Lisa Jackson
Thalu (Ngarluma), directed by Tyson Mowarin
NZ Wars: The Stories of Ruapekapeka (Ngāpuhi), created by Mihingarangi Forbes

About Māoriland Film Festival: Now in its sixth year, Māoriland Film Festival (MFF) is the largest international Indigenous film festival in the Southern Hemisphere. Each March, MFF welcomes Indigenous filmmakers from around the world to Ōtaki to celebrate Indigenous creativity and storytelling in film. For more information visit: https://maorilandfilm.co.nz/

Contact

Madeleine de Young

Māoriland Film Festival Co-ordinator

[email protected]

021 120 7615