Māoriland Film Festival opens in Ōtaki

Māoriland Film Festival opens in Ōtaki

Earlier today The MAORILAND Film Festival opened with a welcome at Raukawa Marae in Otaki on the Kapiti Coast.

In attendance were filmmakers from as far abroad as Finland, Norway, USA, Canada, Easter Island, Australia, Samoa and all over Aotearoa.

Upon opening the festival, festival director Libby Hakaraia said, 'I couldn't have been more thrilled with this mornings pōwhiri. Today we have visitors who have travelled for some, as many as 36 hours to be here with us.

Speaking at the event, US Ambassador Mark Gilbert spoke about the origins of Sundance Film Festival, 'There is nothing more important than telling your own story... And telling it from the heart.'

The third annual Māoriland Film Festival will showcase over 130 films from indigenous filmmakers over 5 days in Ōtaki on the Kapiti Coast. Tickets to screenings are only $6

For more information about the festival, visit www.maorilandfilm.co.nz

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