Catalyst Lights the Spark for Short Films from Ratana and Luping

DEGANZ members Te Waiarangi Ratana and Jo Luping are attached to projects that have received funding from the latest round of the New Zealand Film Commission’s He Kauahi Catalyst. The fund provides up to $90,000 to local filmmakers to create exceptional narrative short films, including animation.

Te Waiarangi is working with Anahera Parata and Ben Bamford on the live-action action/adventure, Thieves of Te Rā. Evil forces hunt a Māori artifact with the power to command the sun. Two Māori heroes stand in their way.

Jo has teamed up with Paula Whetu Jones, Tainui Tukiwaho, and Kirk Torrance on He Tohu – The Warning. The animated horror/fantasy short warns against harming the planet. When disease and deforestation threaten the existence of the mighty God of the Forest, Tāne Mahuta unleashes a terrifying force, killing and absorbing every human in a nearby logging town.

Congratulations on the funding success; we look forward to seeing the films when they are completed!

Last updated on 2 October 2025