DEGANZ Watch List: One for the Factual Lovers

,

It’s been hard to keep up with all the new work from DEGANZ members coming out! For factual series lovers, here are series by members to check out across various platforms.

From looking into the past, to analysing the present, to thinking about how we can learn and progress for the future, these shows tackle social issues pertinent to Aotearoa.

Farewell Guangdong

Factual Series

Director: Lynda Chanwai-Earle

In 1937, Japan invades China. The Japanese sweep south to Guangdong, capturing the strategic port of Guangzhou. Many women and children try to escape war-torn China. Their husbands in New Zealand beg the government to grant them sanctuary here. These are some of the harrowing stories of our grandmothers and mothers, the pioneers of our community.

Based on Lily Lee’s publication Farewell Guangdong, the show uses dramatic re-enactments, interviews, and historical archive material to bring to life first-hand accounts from the wives and children who fled Guangdong, China during the second Sino-Japanese War from 1937 to 1945.

d8talk

Web Series

Director: Joe Canham

No matter where we come from, how we identify ourselves or what we’re into, the desire to find connection is universal. Over the next six months, a diverse group of young New Zealanders will take part in a dating conversation via a new social media project, d8talk. Simply put d8talk is people talking about dating.

The Niu Dawn – Lessons of the Dawn Raids

Factual Series

Editor: Laura McBeath

Unravelling the lasting echoes of the 1970s Dawn Raids: the extraordinary stories of what happened, why it matters and how young generations are using the lessons of the past as ways to deal with our future.

Queer Aotearoa: We’ve Always Been Here

Factual Series

Director: Harry Wynn

Join Eli Matthewson for a journey through the untold history of New Zealand’s queer community, celebrating the resilience of trailblazers who pushed for an inclusive Aotearoa.

 

To see more recent work from DEGANZ members, check out our 2024-2025 holiday watch list and latest catch-up piece!

 

/by

‘The Moon is Upside Down’ Named One of the Online Film Critics Society’s Best Non-U.S. Releases of 2024

The Moon is Upside Down, written and directed by DEGANZ member Loren Taylor, was selected as one of ten international films for the Best Non-U.S. Release at this year’s Online Film Critics Society Awards.

While the awards tend to focus on films with wide releases in America, this category recognises a slate of ten international films as the best releases outside the U.S. in 2024. Others on the list include Acting by Sophie Fiennes, Berlinale Silver Bear winner Dying, and Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cloud. Amongst the award winners are Hollywood heavyweights Anora and The Substance.

This is the third international nod for The Moon is Upside Down which won Best First Feature at the A-list festival Tallinn Black Nights and the Special Jury Award at the Santa Fe International Film Festival. 

If you missed the film in theatres last year, you can stream it on Aro Vision.

 

/by

‘n00b’ on Netflix Australia

Local dramedy series n00b, directed by DEGANZ members Victoria Boult and Josh Frizzell, is available to stream on Netflix in Australia.

The show, created by Victoria and producer Rachel Fawcett, is set in 2005 Gore, Aotearoa. It follows the social downfall of Nikau Bennett, a popular teenager whose world is turned upside down when he is outed to the whole school. As Nikau plummets from cool guy to social outcast, the series explores his struggle to navigate the complicated dynamics of high school and find the confidence to embrace his true self.

Congrats to the n00b team on the continued success!

For those based in Aotearoa, you can still catch the series for free on Three Now.

 

/by

DEGANZ Members Amongst the 2025 Day One Shorts

Day One has announced the eight commissioned teams for this year’s round of short films, including two projects featuring DEGANZ members Giselle Ilaoa, Lee Li, and Tyler Redmond.

The competition was tough this year, with 109 applications narrowed down to a short list of 16 before the final projects were selected.

Day One Shorts is a series of short films by rangatahi emerging filmmakers from across the motu. They explore cultural, social and political issues by taking story risks, pushing the envelope, and looking to the future. Supported by NZ On Air, RNZ, and Wakaata Māori, the initiative provides scripted projects with $20k and documentaries with $15k to produce their films. In addition to funding, Day One offers the filmmakers wrap-around talent development support, including workshops, professional script consultancy, and mentorships for the directors and producers.

Congratulations to all the selected teams! Check out the projects from DEGANZ members below.

Aolfa Mai, Alofa Atu

Scripted Drama

Writer/Director: Giselle Ilaoa

A young woman grapples with her repressed sexuality when she reconnects with her childhood friend and must navigate her growing affections.

Fearlessli

Documentary

Writer/Director: Lee Li

Producer: Tyler Redmond

Amidst the uncertainty of her future as a transgender asylum seeker, Lee Li navigates unseen struggles and relentlessly advocates for her community, fighting for a future where others like her can call Aotearoa home.

 

/by

‘n00b’ Goes to Market in Berlin

Comedy-drama series n00b, directed by DEGANZ members Victoria Boult and Josh Frizzell, is heading to the Berlinale Series Market.

The market is a joint initiative of the European Film Market, Berlinale Co-Production Market and Berlinale Talents, dedicated to serial content. Across three days, series with high market potential are presented to industry experts, creatives, buyers, and distributors. It brings together networking opportunities, thematic panels analysing international trends, pitch sessions, and its acute selection of high-quality episodic content for acquisition, pre-sales, and co-production.

This year’s selection includes 17 series from 13 different countries. n00b is the sole selection from Aotearoa.

Congratulations to Victoria, Josh, and the rest of the n00b team for the prestigious selection!

 

/by