Two award-winning Pacific Islands filmmakers have reached another milestone in their careers.
Vea Mafile’o and Tusi Tamasese have been invited to become members of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.
Vea and Tusi are among the 529 artists and executives across the globe to join the organisation and membership into the academy is by invitation only.
Of Tongan heritage, Mafile’o is an award-winning filmmaker and director recognised for her outstanding contribution to international cinema and storytelling. The Academy points to some of her notable short films, ‘I Am Not Your Dusky Maiden’ and ‘Lea Tupu’anga (Mother Tongue)’.
Samoan award-winning director and screenwriter Tusi Tamasese is best known for his movies ‘The Orator’ and ‘One Thousand Ropes’, and is recognised for his directorial work in films.
The filmmakers join the likes of Peter Jackson, Taika Waititi, Jane Campion and Temuera Morrison who are New Zealand members of the Academy.
In a statement via Mafile’o’s Taro Patch Creative Hub, the filmmaker says the invitation is an incredible honour.
“Pacific voices deserve to be seen, heard and valued on the world stage, and I hope this recognition creates even more opportunities for our stories to reach global audiences.”
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor in a written statement said, ”We are delighted to invite this remarkable group of film artists and professionals from around the world to join the Academy.”
