Official Programme Online

Tena Koutou Katoa:

Welcome to the first newsletter of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2006!

(1) OFFICIAL PROGRAMME ONLINE

The Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2006 is now less than three weeks away, and the Official Festival Programme is now available *online* to download, review and print out. Check it out now!

The festival programme is available by clicking on "Festival Programme" on the following page:

http://www.manawairoa.com/fest2006/home2006.htm

The programme is presented in PDF format.

Wairoa Maori Film Festival ~ Sun & Culture On The East Coast
Labour Weekend 20th to 23rd October 2006, Wairoa Aotearoa New Zealand
www.manawairoa.com

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(2) FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights of this year's Wairoa Maori Film Festival include:

* Gala Opening Night Screening of "Ngati", presented in assocation with the New Zealand Film Archive. The Gala Opening Night will include a Tribute to Wi Kuki Kaa and Tama Poata presented by staff at the New Zealand Film Archive. Present at the Gala Opening Night will be Barry Barclay, Film Director of "Ngati" and Special Guest of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2006.

* Special Guest Barry Barclay, with screening of feature film and documentary works and an "In Conversation With" event. Films Directed by Barry Barclay to be screened over this Labour Weekend include "Ngati", "Te Rua", "The Feathers of Peace" and "The Kaipara Affair". Festival Director Leo Koziol will also participate in a one hour "In Conversation With" event with Barry Barclay, a new component of the festival that it is hoped will become an annual event. The retrospective of Barry Barclay's works is presented in assocation with the New Zealand Film Archive.

* The Festival Centrepiece is "Trail of Te Kooti", presented in assocation with the New Zealand Film Archive. This Silent Film Classic from 1927 will be presented with live piano accompaniment by Tama Karena.

* Wairoa Maori Film Festival Awards Night & Maori Music Extravaganza!, with the official Awards Ceremony of the film festival, a Maori musical retrospective presented by the New Zealand Film Archive, and live Kapa Haka presented by local Matatini finalists Te Rerenga Kotuku.

* International Indigenous Selection: The international indigenous selection will include a range of Aboriginal Australian dramas and documentaries. These include feature film "Ten Canoes", "The Gathering: Return of the Whale Dreamers" and an Aboriginal Documentary Showcase presented in association with The Central Australia Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA).

* Films from and about our Polynesian cousins across the Pacific, including the "Pollywood 2006" selection presented by Craig Fasi of the Moving Image Centre. Also screening will be the story of the plight of Tuvalu ("Time & Tide") as it faces the challenge of global warming and rising sea levels, "Siva Pacifica" presented in association with the National Geographic Channel, and "Tavake" a short drama from the Kingdom of Tonga.

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(3) TICKETS, ACCOMMODATION & GETTING THERE

Tickets go on sale at the end of this week at Ticketek offices nationwide, and online via www.Ticketek.co.nz. Phone bookings will be taken at Ticketek on: 09 307 5000.

Ticket sales in Wairoa will be available at the end of this week at the Wairoa Visitor's Centre, corner of SH2 and Queen Street, Wairoa Ph. 06 838 7440.

The Official Festival Office opens adjacent to the Gaiety Cinema, Marine Parade, Wairoa, on Thursday 19th October and operates throughout the festival. The Festival Office will offer advance sales (Cash only) and film-maker registration for those presenting their works at the festival.

Information on accommodation options in Wairoa are available on our website:

http://www.manawairoa.com/fest2006/wairoa2006.htm

The website also includes directions on getting to Wairoa, located only 90 minutes from Napier and one hour from Gisborne, both popular Labour Weekend holiday destinations.

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We look forward to seeing you here at the Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2006!

Ka kite ano,

Leo Koziol (Rakaipaaka, Kahungunu) on behalf of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival 2006

ENDS

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