Awarau Premieres His Fourth Short Film of 2025

DEGANZ member Aroha Awarau has had a busy year, releasing four short films in 2025. His latest, Faded, premiered at the Worldwide Smartphone Film Festival in Australia on 16 August.

Faded is a two-minute documentary delivering a bold commentary on homelessness and social decay in Hollywood. It was shot and edited entirely on Aroha’s iPhone in under two hours – right on the iconic steps of the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars.

The idea came spontaneously while Awarau was in Los Angeles in May for the international premiere of Puti, his short film directorial debut, at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. During his Hollywood visit, Awarau was struck by the stark contrast between the red carpet glamour and the surrounding poverty. Compelled by what he witnessed, he began capturing the scenes that would later become Faded.

Aroha comments on the unique nature of the project, saying,

Faded proves how much the landscape of filmmaking has changed. Sometimes all you need is a story, a phone, and a place to sit – even if it’s on the same steps where they hand out Oscars.

Congratulations on the release, Aroha! We look forward to seeing what comes next.

Last updated on 20 August 2025