Clay and Cats at Doc Edge

The 2024 Doc Edge Festival is officially underway, with films by DEGANZ members Phillida Perry and Annie Goldson in the lineup.

The Doc Edge is an international Oscar-qualifying documentary festival held annually in Aotearoa. This year marks the festival’s 19th edition, with 66 films and 28 digital immersive projects on display. The festival will run from 19 June – 14 July in cinemas across Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington. From 15-31 July, you can watch the films nationwide online.

Breaking The Mould

A visceral glimpse into the life and work of acclaimed New Zealand sculptor, Jaime Jenkins, whose unconventional upbringing combines with the elements to inform her ceramic explorations. The short will screen before the feature film Spontaneous Combustion: Songs for Barry Brickell.

Director: Phillida Perry

Refuge: A Duty to Care

From Doc Edge Superhero (2023), director Annie Goldson’s film centres on life and work at a secret pet shelter, allowing victims of family violence to seek safety while knowing their animals are being cared for. The film will play as part of the Short 5 collection.

Director: Annie Goldson

 

Last updated on 20 June 2024

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Te Wake and Curtis Selected for Aho Shorts

DEGANZ members Ramon Te Wake and Richard Curtis have been selected for Ngā Aho Whakaari’s 2024 round of Aho Shorts. This year, five films were selected for the short film development programme aimed at empowering tangata whenua and te reo me ngā tikanga Māori within the film and screen industry.

Ramon is the writer/director of Wait Wait, Now and is joined by Nicola Smith and Grayson Goffe on the team. Richard is the writer/director of Rapido, with Lea McLean and Tihini Grant on board.

The films underwent a selection process overseen by a panel of Aho Shorts alumni and esteemed industry professionals. The panel noted themes of resilience, identity, and the ever-evolving Māori worldview in the submissions.

Through Aho Shorts, the selected teams will participate in development sessions to get their projects production-ready. Additionally, the films will premiere at the Rotorua Indigenous Film Festival in November 2024. Ngā Aho Whaakari has also partnered with Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa (RNZ) and Whakaata Māori as broadcast platforms for the finished films.

Congratulations Ramon and Richard!

Last updated on 20 June 2024

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‘First Horse’ Wins the First Ever First Nations Award at SFF

After screening at the Sydney Film Festival, First Horse directed by Awanui Simich-Pene and edited by DEGANZ member Cushla Dillon, won the inaugural First Nations Award. This accolade is the largest cash prize in Indigenous filmmaking, rewarding $35,000 to the winner.

The film, set in 1826 with Aotearoa on the cusp of colonisation, follows a young Māori girl who encounters a dying man and his horse, exposing her to the best and worst of her rapidly changing world.

The jury commented on the film saying,

In awarding the winning work, the jury recognises its originality, elegance, and cinematic achievement in story and form. In a few short minutes, the talented creative team has crafted a deeply impactful film with a resonant emotional punch.

If you are keen to see the award-winning film, it will also screen at NZIFF this year as part of the NZ’s Best programme.

Congratulations Awanui, Cushla, and the rest of the First Horse team on the win!

Last updated on 20 June 2024

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Tabata’s ‘The Creature’ is on the Loose

DEGANZ member Jake Tabata‘s web series The Creature is out now, following its early selection to this year’s NZ Web Fest! The four-part series follows Aidan, stuck in the online dating rut of swiping with no results. He is ecstatic when he matches with his ‘dream man’ but must first face the perturbed Creature lurking in the shadows of his home.

In an interview with Re: News, Jake discusses how his identity informs his work. He says,

The Creature is loosely based on my own personal experiences with online dating as a young, queer man. I felt quite alone, really struggling with all the challenges I see with online dating and romance anxiety.

The series, produced by fellow member Isabelle (Izzi) Hoskyn, was entirely crowdfunded on Boosted and was made by a team of young, queer, and POC creatives.

You can watch the series here!

Last updated on 20 June 2024

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Ahikāroa Returns for a Sixth Season

The acclaimed series Ahikāroa is back for its 6th season, with editing by DEGANZ member Jack Woon and writing and storylining by Onehou Strickland (DEGANZ).

The series is a bilingual te reo Māori show that follows a group of kura kaupapa-raised rangatahi navigating the trials and tribulations of urban Māori living in Auckland. This season all hell breaks loose with shock exits, surprising returns, and new characters with new challenges. While delving into the usual drama of parties, drugs, and sex, this season also veers into Māori politics and spirituality.

Fans will not want to miss this newest season! The first six episodes are out now on MĀORI+ with more dropping each week.

Last updated on 20 June 2024

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