The Sunny Side of Ngongotaha Coming Soon

Created, written and directed by DEGANZ member Kishan Raman, the web series The Sunny Side of Ngongotaha has released its official trailer.

Filmed in the Waikato, Ngongotaha and Rotorua, the independent production is Aotearoa’s first ever web series created by Fijian Indians about Fijian Indians. The creators have shared how proud they are to present a unique perspective of storytelling from one of the most underrepresented communities on screen.

The Sunny Side of Ngongotaha follows Rav, who is desperate to avoid the prospects of an arranged marriage, so he enlists the help of his crazy cousin Ron to find a girlfriend in their hometown of Ngongotaha.

The web series will be available to watch on YouTube from December 12.

Congratulations to Kishan and the team!

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Jackie van Beek Nominated for AACTA Awards

Congratulations to DEGANZ member Jackie van Beek who has been nominated in two categories at the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards (AACTA) for her work on Nude Tuesday.

Jackie is nominated for a Best Lead Actress in Film award as well as a Best Screenplay in Film award for Nude Tuesday.

Directed by fellow DEGANZ member ArmaฤŸan Ballantyne,ย comedy film Nude Tuesday follows a conservative, middle-aged couple, played by Jackie van Beek and Damon Herriman, trying to save a failing marriage with a trip to a new-age relationship retreat rich in sexual liberation and extreme nudity.

Jemaine Clement has also been nominated for a Best Supporting Actor award for his work on the film.

The 2022 AACTA Awards will be presented across two ceremonies at The Hordern in Sydney, on December 5 and December 7.

Good luck Jackie!

 

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Members Win NZ Web Fest Awards

The winners for the 2022 NZ Web Fest Awards were announced earlier in the week, with DEGANZ members Michelle Ang and Julie Zhu walking away with awards!

Michelle Ang took away an award for Best Director – NZ Factual for her work on Hair Now which also won the award for Best Show – NZ Factual. For her work on Self Help, which won Best Show NZ Narrative and Best Ensemble NZ Narrative, Michelle took home the award for Best Director NZ Narrative alongside Rawiri Jobe. With her two directing awards, Michelle’s win marked the first time someone has won awards for their work on factual and narrative shows in the same year at NZ Web Fest. Both shows are free to watch online.

For her work on Takeout Kids, Julie Zhu was a joint winner of Best Director – NZ Factual together with Michelle. All five episodes of Takeout Kids are available to watch on The Spinoff website.

Congratulations to Michelle and Julie!

See the full list of winners here

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Members’ Films Feature in Latest Season of Loading Docs

The latest Loading Docs season titled The Power of Emotion has been released on the Loading Docs website. Eight short documentaries make up the collection, including films made by DEGANZ members Sophie Black, Harry Wynn, Ashley Pitman, and Vea Mafile`o.

Sophie Black directed Believing is Seeing, which explores the mysterious phenomenon of mass psychogenic illness. With the help of Dr. Robert Bartholomew, this short discovers the effect of technological advancement on our brains–Is social media making us sick?

Believing Is Seeing Directed by Sophie Black

Harry Wynn directed Shred, whichย follows male bodybuilders as they prepare for a local competition. Pushing the pursuit of looking good to the extreme, these young men deal with the pressure of social media as they try to achieve an unattainable physique.

Shred Directed by Harry Wynn

Ashley Pitman directed The E Blacks follows kiwi video gamers as they fight for the chance to represent their country at the Commonwealth Games. For the first time ever, Esports will be included in a major international sporting event and the pressure is on to level up for the event.

The E Blacks Directed by Ashley Pitman.

Vea Mafile`o produced Beneath the Surface, which follows a world champion swimmer as she prepares for the Commonwealth Games. Revealing hidden truths about her experiences and motivations, the short is as much about equality as it is about the pool.

Beneath The Surface Produced by Vea Mafile`o

Co-founded by DEGANZ member Julia Parnell, Loading Docs is a unique initiative that produces short documentaries that captivate and inspire audiences locally and internationally, while developing and promoting New Zealand filmmaking talent.

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We Are Still Here Wins at imagineNATIVE

Uniquely Indigenous drama film, We Are Still Here, wins big at the imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival, taking home the Dramatic Feature Award. Congratulations to DEGANZ members Chantelle Burgoyne, Tim Worrall, and Renae Maihi who were on the directorial team alongside Richard Curtis, Miki Magasiva, Mario Gaoa, Beck Cole, Danielle MacLean, Dena Curtis, and Tracey Rigney.

The film premiered at NZIFF, and screened at multiple international films festivals including the Melbourne International Film Festival, and at the opening night of the Sydney Film Festival.

We Are Still Hereย is told through the perspectives of eight protagonists across 1,000 years, spanning past, present and future. It explores themes of kinship, grief, and resilience. The interwoven stories highlight the strength of love and hope over the trauma that Indigenous people in the Pacific share. The film seeks to remind viewers that despite colonialism, racism, imperialism, and the attempted erasure of lives and culture, Indigenous people are still here.

imagineNATIVE is the world’s largest presenter of Indigenous screen content. The festival takes place every October in Toronto.

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