March 13, 2026

#lifestyle: Māoriland Film Festival Returns with Global Indigenous Stories

Dale Husband Posted On March 13, 2026

Dale Husband #lifestyle: Māoriland Film Festival Returns with Global Indigenous Stories

The Māoriland Film Festival is preparing to once again transform Ōtaki into a global hub for Indigenous storytelling, with the 2026 programme bringing together filmmakers and audiences from around the world.

Festival director Madeleine Hakaraia de Young says this year’s event will showcase an extraordinary range of stories, with 108 films representing 130 Indigenous nations. The annual festival has grown into the largest Indigenous film event in the world, creating a space where Indigenous voices, histories and creative expression take centre stage.

Hakaraia de Young says what makes this year’s programme particularly exciting is the diversity of stories being told. Films range from powerful documentaries and dramatic features to experimental works and short films that explore identity, language, land and the realities facing Indigenous communities today. The festival continues to provide a platform for filmmakers to tell their own stories in their own ways, strengthening the visibility of Indigenous perspectives in global cinema.

Audiences attending the festival in March can expect a wide mix of screenings, panel discussions and cultural events. Alongside film premieres, the programme includes opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to connect through kōrero, workshops and industry discussions that support the development of Indigenous storytelling.

Several films and special events are expected to stand out as highlights of the festival. These include premieres from emerging Indigenous filmmakers alongside works from established directors whose storytelling continues to shape the global Indigenous film landscape. The festival’s curated programme is designed to give audiences a wide-ranging experience of the creativity and diversity within Indigenous cinema.

While the festival now draws international attention, Hakaraia de Young says its foundation remains deeply rooted in Aotearoa and in the Māori community of Ōtaki where it began. The event continues to balance its global reach with a strong Māori identity, ensuring that the kaupapa of Indigenous storytelling remains grounded in tikanga, language and the local community.

That balance is seen as one of the festival’s defining strengths. While filmmakers travel from across the world to present their work, the festival continues to centre Māori perspectives and provide space for local storytellers to share their voices alongside those of other Indigenous nations.

People interested in attending the festival can access the full programme and purchase tickets through the Māoriland Film Festival website. Organisers say the event continues to grow each year, attracting both international visitors and local audiences who want to experience the richness of Indigenous storytelling.

As the 2026 festival approaches, organisers say the focus remains on celebrating Indigenous creativity while strengthening the connections between Indigenous peoples through film, culture and shared stories.