Butterfly/Bataplai
Butterfly/Bataplai

Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts 2024 

Māhutonga

Support these Māori and Pasifika films and vote for your favourites at screenings all across the motu.

Aug 31

MTG Century Theatre

79 minutes
TBC
NZ Classification TBC

Ka whiti, ka whiti, te whakawhitinga mai o ngā moana, 
i te toki aronui, i te taura tuituia, i te kōpū matanga, 
i te kaipūrakau nō te moana nui a Kiwa. 
He taura here i te iti, i te rahi. 
He waka kawea manako e ngā iwi katoa.

This collection of Māori and Pasifika short films has been selected by co-curators Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka), Director of the Wairoa Film Festival, and Craig Fasi (Nuie), Director of Pollywood Film Festival. Support these homegrown films across the motu and vote for your favourites at screenings in Auckland and Wellington. 

The Wellington UNESCO Creative City of Film Best Film Award will be presented at the Wellington screening. The Letterboxd Audience Award will be announced at the NZIFF 2024 Auckland Closing Night on Sunday 18 August.

The Great South 2023

Director, Screenplay

Producers

Taniora Ormsby, Aimee Laurent

Cinematography

Christopher Jackson

Editor

Issac Hetaraka

Cast

Zharn Pokoati, Tumamao George, Chantal Stowers, Tawhero Ungakore, Lucy James
11 minutes

Sometimes life isn't as black and white as we think it is, sometimes its red and blue the hope in hopeless times is to somehow stay true. LK

Hands of Fate 2023

Director

Cinematography

Jared Jones

Cast

Zaynah Alexander-Champion, Nikhil Jade, Tulsa Saumamao
6 minutes

Not just another night in the city, a tale untold revealed; perhaps helplessness is a disguise. LK

My Brother 2023

Director, Screenplay

Producer

Jana Park Moore

Cinematography

Keli’I Grace

Editor

Keli’I Grace

Cast

Maima Savusa, Tupasi Toetu’u
USA In English, Samoan and Tongan with English subtitles
8 minutes

Health of mind and especially body is often overlooked Pasifika people are proud, towers of strength; in denial of the unwilling host to illness that they are. Change is choice quality of life the decision. CF 

Butterfly/Bataplai 2023

Director, Producer, Screenplay, Editor

Cinematography

Judd Overton

Music

Maxwell Stone, Otis Kane

Cast

Regina Pande, Graham Pande, Joana Mate, Olivia Korken
USA In English
8 minutes

Unique, distinct, bold and proudunderstanding and acknowledgement to own who you are despite the generic prejudice you will encounter. Embrace, enhance, expose be Butterfly/Bataplai. CF

The Red Room 2023

Director, Screenplay

Producer

Jacob Vale

Cinematography

Caleb Corlett

Editor

Luke Earl

Music

Mike Newport

Cast

Mikey Falesiu, Catherine Yates, Samson Vaotuua, Brendon Greene, TJ Snow
17 minutes

Therapy in the form of fantasy located in tomorrow here for you today. Suffering to heal via an institution that thrives with failure of the human condition. Stay calm be prepared know your enemy. CF

Show Home 2023

Director

Producers

Sarah Cook, Jimena Murray

Screenplay

Jane Shearer, Steve Ayson

Cinematography

Marty Williams

Editor

Lucas Baynes

Cast

Miriama McDowell, Kip Chapman
15 minutes

The universe can teach if you are willing to learn. Desperation and lack of any contingency creates delusion and false hope. Sacrifice deserves certainty words like hope and potential are fairytales.   CF

Chatterbox 2024

Director

Producer

Acacia O’Connor

Screenplay

Tuakoi Ohia, Tainui Tukiwaho, Brady Peeti

Cinematography

Amarbir Singh

Editor

Amarbir Singh

Music

Brady Peeti, Tuakoi Ohia

Cast

Brady Peeti, Tuakoi Ohia, Richie Grzyb, Rei Samuel
14 minutes

The new Aotearoa Rocky Horror we didn't know we needed explodes on screen. Enjoy the ride, for this story will surely leave you wanting more, more, more! LK