Look out Hollywood here comes the story of a new Pasifika duo ‘Alisi and Semisi the stars in the feature length film Digital Navigators, Legacy of the Islands.
The film follows the duo from South Auckland on a journey around the islands of Te Moana Nui a Kiwa (Pacific Ocean) through the artform of digital storytelling.
From discovering a humpback whale in Samoa, to riding on the back of a pickup truck on a hot day in Tonga and listening to Rotuman elders tell stories, they are just some of the fun adventures viewers will dive into on the big screen.
The Pasifika digital showcase is a village-made movie that features a range of children’s animations in Lea faka-Tonga, Vosa Vakaviti, Gagana Sāmoa, Fäeag Rotuḁm, Te Gana Tuvalu, Vagahau Niue, Te Gagana Tokelau and English. We thank all the amazing story tellers in the grass roots of our communities who contributed to this vision.
The film is a mix of traditional methods of knowledge sharing, reinvigorated for a younger audience using innovative technologies and a multi-sensory approach. This has been the mission of Ōtara based and social enterprise Pasifika Kids’ Learning (PKL) who are the creators of the project.
In an era where Pacific languages are endangered and cultural knowledge gaps are widening, PKL started their journey in the digital space in 2014 to help revitalise and strengthen cultural knowledge and identity in children and young people through online resources.
Over the years PKL have put the spotlight on traditional storytelling, song and dance and even language lessons, and now their latest offering is the Pacific Digital Library. The platform has entertaining and educational animations and resources tailored to Pacific children’s unique needs and interests anywhere, anytime.
Roll out the red carpet because HOYTS cinemas at Sylvia Park will welcome some of the young Pasifika creatives in the project and celebrate the growth of more Pacific content, created by Pacific people.
