Māori Youth Story Earns Film Festival Recognition

An award-winning short film, honouring the resilience of Māori youth, has been named a finalist at the Whānau Mārama - New Zealand International Film Festival.

Written and directed by Aroha Awarau (Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Porou, Niue, Samoa), Puti has already screened at the Beverly Hills Film Festival in Los Angeles and New Zealand's own Māoriland Film Festival in Ōtaki and the Rotorua Indigenous Film Festival.

“Puti was made because people believed in the story, and seeing it recognised around the world is the greatest thank you we can give,” says Awarau.

An award-winning journalist and playwright, Awarau spent ten years trying to bring Puti to life after the story won best short film script at the Pikihuia Māori Writers Awards in 2014.

His dream was finally realised when he secured funding and shot the film in central Auckland in September.

This year saw a change in the short film competition format at the New Zealand International Film Festival. Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts and New Zealand’s Best have been combined into one competition, featuring 13 finalists selected from 88 submissions. Winners are chosen by a jury and audience vote, with awards totalling over $13,000.

Tipene Opetaia (Te Rarawa, Ngāpuhi, Samoa), who produced Puti through her company Glorious Inc, embraces this positive change, acknowledging local filmmakers’ passion for telling their stories.

“We are honoured to be part of this newly unified change. It’s a bold step towards a more inclusive and representative showcase of local talent. It’s a privilege for our team to stand alongside such a powerful lineup of films,” she says.

Puti’s main cast ranged from ages 8-19, including powerful performances from Mia Van Oyen, Tuakoi Ohia, Cale Silich, Kael Munro-Nonoa, and Erika Muna Lee.

The film’s key creative team includes executive producer Lanita Ririnui (Ngāiterangi, Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāpuhi, Kuki Airani) and associate producers Leaupepe Ta’ala Ralph and Sara Jane Elika (Samoa) of ECG.

Last year, the film, which honours the resilience of Māori youth forced to step up and financially support their families, made national headlines after its creative team launched a public crowdfunding campaign to help finance the film.

“Making short films in Aotearoa is tougher than ever due to budget cuts and limited resources. Although we received funding, we still had to rely on film professionals working for below-standard rates,” says Awarau.

He says the film’s latest nomination is a testament to the dedication of the cast, crew, funders and supporters.

Puti received $15,000 as part of the Aho Shorts programme, a fund given by Ngā Aho Whakaari - the industry body for Māori involved in screen production - for short films from Māori filmmakers.

A further $8,000 was raised from the online arts crowdfunding platform Boosted. Additional support came from Te Māngai Pāho, NZ On Air, and Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga - New Zealand Film Commission. Local businesses, including Cordis Auckland and Wireless Rentals, also contributed.

Whānau Mārama - New Zealand International Film Festival opens in Auckland on July 31st and runs until August 10th. It then launches in other centres across Aotearoa, starting with Christchurch on August 8, and concludes nationwide on September 10.

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