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September 27, 2023
WIFT winner remembers film door kickers
Atereano Mateariki
Posted On September 27, 2023
Download AudioThis year’s winner of the Women In Film & Television Mana Wahine Award says Māori filmmakers should always dream big.
Karen Sidney says she’s had an emotional 40 year journey through the Māori film industry, starting with working for Barry Barclay and taking notes for Te Manu Aute ki Pōneke with Tungia Baker, Anne Keating, Wi Kuki Kaa, Tama Poata and Eruera Nia.
She says there has been progress, but many of the same challenges remain.
“I mean, we still are looking for autonomy to tell our own stories in our own way to find funding in our own way. I don’t think that we should ever be complacent and sit back and congratulate ourselves, I think we should always be looking for the opportunities to rattle the cage and shake those doors and kick the doors down,” she says.
Karen Sidney says a highlight has been traveling to Indigenous film festivals, when she has felt past of an international movement.
Women In Film & Television and the Wairoa Film Festival Inc, will present Ms Sidney the award at a ceremony in February 2024.
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