Samoan film director/producer Jade Jackson’s short film Raids is one of six short films from Aotearoa and the Pacific selected to be screened during the New Zealand International Film Festival in all festival locations.
Raids is based on the treatment of Pacific Island families during the New Zealand Dawn Raids of the 10970’s. The short film is an intimate look into a police raid, as told through the eyes of a young girl Losa and her father Lupematasila.
The films were selected by curators Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka), Director of the Wairoa Māori Film Festival, and Craig Fasi (Niue), Director of the Pollywood Film Festival.
The selected shorts this year are: A Morning with Aroha (dir: Nicholas Riini), Burning of the Gods (dir: Karin Williams), Perfect Storm (dir: Morag Brownlie), Raids (dir: Jade Jackson), Smog (dir: Alex Liu), and The Difference Between Pipi & Pūpū (dir: Tajim Mohammed-Kapa).
Curator Leo Koziol says, “Every year the Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika collection of short films showcases both emerging talent and those at the top of their game working towards a first feature. This year is no exception, with filmmakers of New Zealand Māori, Tongan, Samoan and Cook Island origins. We are excited to present this year’s collection, diverse in genre – drama, thriller, sci-fi, experimental – and diverse in viewpoint. Mauri Ora!”
All finalists will be eligible for the Wellington UNESCO City of Film award for Best Film ($3000 cash prize)
This award will be presented at the final Wellington screening of Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts on Saturday 13 August at The Roxy Cinema.
