Call For Entries To Wairoa Maori Film Festival

CALL FOR ENTRIES TO WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL

Monday January 24th, 2005,
Wairoa, Aotearoa New Zealand

The organisers of this year's Wairoa Maori Film Festival have the pleasure today of announcing a Call for Entries to the Entrants Screening programme of Wairoa's first showcase of Maori creativity and talent.

"With the dates finalised as Thursday June 2nd to Monday June 6th, 2005 (Queen's Birthday Weekend), the organisers are now ready to accept entries to be included in the festival programme," says Festival Director Leo Koziol.

The Entrant Screening programme will be played at the Gaiety Theatre and community venues (including local marae) from Friday June 3rd to Sunday June 4th, 2005.

Criteria for entry is: films with Maori in lead or supporting roles; productions focused around Maori stories; films with Maori in "behind the camera" roles; and indigenous film productions from around the world.

Categories for entry include: short and long documentary, short film, feature film, music video, and animation. Festival organisers are hoping to include some awards component in the entrants programme.

"We'll definitely have an Audience Award, and are currently in the process of seeking sponsors for prizes in various sub-categories," says Mr. Koziol.

Entries close Friday April 1st, 2005, therefore festival organisers are encouraging Maori film-makers to get their entries in soon.

"You can download the entry form at our website, which can be found at www.manawairoa.com," says Mr. Koziol, who is a descendant of the local Rakaipaaka and Kahungunu tribes.

"We've actually got over a half dozen entries already, even though a call for entries has not been made," said Mr. Koziol.

"From the caliber of what we've received so far, we know the talent among our Maori film-makers and Maori actors is out there."

"We also view the stories of our Maori people as being the story of our nation, the story of being a New Zealander," said Mr Koziol.

"Therefore we encourage Pakeha film-makers to apply if they have Maori actors or stories in their entries."

Confirmed sponsors of the film festival include the Ministry of Economic Development Regional Initiatives Fund, the New Zealand Film Commission, Creative New Zealand Te Waka Toi and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

Festival patrons include Merata Mita, Cliff Curtis, Waana Davis, Don Selwyn, Witi Ihimaera, Pauline Tangiora, Isabella Westbury, Huia Brown, Huia Koziol, Kimberley Powell, Here Nissen, Mayor Les Probert, Mayor Bob Harvey, Roger Donaldson, Geoff Murphy, Mika and Rena Owen.

A festival communications office is in the process of being established at the Gaiety Theatre, and a Festival Coordinator position has been advertised.

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Authorised by: Wairoa Maori Film Festival Society & Rautaki Group Consultants 2004 PO Box 379 Wairoa * Ph. 64.6.837.8761 * www.manawairoa.com

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