May 31, 2018
Unique appeal to Maori film fest
Only 1 more sleep before the start of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival, and the small northern Hawke’s Bay town is gearing up for a weekend of culture.
Festival co-chair and occasional filmmaker Ratu Tibble says as always the focus is on short films from Maori, Pasifika and indigenous film makers around the world, but there are also longer features including Waru and The Breaker Upperers.
A unique atmosphere has grown up, particularly for the screenings at Kahungunu Marae in Nuhaka.
"People can lie on mattresses and watch the film on a huge 16×9 screen so it is uniquely Maori and the whole process is uniquely boutiqueish and I think it makes it stand out from every other film festival worldwide," Mr Tibble says.
Other festival events are held at the Gaiety Theatre in Wairoa , including the Wairoa Maori Film Festival Awards Gala on Saturday night, and Morere Hall for a night of Bush Cinema on Sunday.
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com