MMFF: Unlikely Kin
Join us as we farewell the Mātaki Mai Māori Film Festival for another incredible year of films celebrating Te Ao Māori. 3pm: Closing Event includes a glass of wine and nibbles on arrival. 4.10pm: Screening begins. In Unlikely Kin, directors Kim Webby and Michael Jonathan follow whales, kauri, kiore and the Parata whānau into a […]
MMFF: Mārama
Mārama is a gothic revenge nightmare rooted in the colonization and cultural theft inflicted upon the Māori people of Aotearoa/New Zealand in the mid-19th century. This critically acclaimed film, written and directed by Taratoa Stappard, exhibits a unique intelligence and soul, thoughtfully translating serious historic trauma into a piece of art. Set inside an especially appalling […]
MMFF: Ranginui: Call of the Ice
We welcome you to celebrate the start of Te Wiki and the opening of the Mātaki Mai Māori Film Festival! All screenings are followed by a pre-recorded Q&A with producer Miriama Kamo and director Julia Sartorio. Opening Night 7pm: Event includes a glass of wine and nibbles on arrival. 8pm: Screening begins. Antarctica in winter […]
MMFF: Mauri
With Mauri (1988), Merata Mita became the first Māori woman to direct a dramatic feature alone. Along with Ngāti the previous year, Mauri played a key role in the rise of Māori cinema. The crew of 33 Māori and 20 Pākehā included interns from Hawkes Bay wānanga — plus composer Hirini Melbourne, artist Ralph Hotere as […]
MMFF: TOITŪ: Visual Sovereignty
Unprecedented insight into the curation of the Toi Tū Toi Ora: Contemporary Māori Art exhibition reveals the struggle for Māori artistic sovereignty within the structures of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural institutions. Chelsea Winstanley’s debut feature follows the journey of curator Nigel Borell as he navigates the constraints between institutional authority and Māori self-determination. Borell’s curatorial […]
MMFF: 1978
Saturday 4pm screening is followed by a pre-recorded Q&A with director Isaac Lee. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Isaac is not able to be in Ōtautahi. A heartwarming, coming-of-age set in rural Aotearoa, interwoven with the true history of the Māori land protests. Aotearoa New Zealand, 1978. In a small rural town, the Ropata family must […]
POP: Masterclass + Q&A
Join us for an exclusive Advance Preview of the New Zealand feature film POP – a bold, beautiful, totally bonkers ride that’ll make you laugh, cringe, cry and laugh all over again. Following the screening will be an exclusive one hour Q&A and Masterclass from producer Cathasaigh Ó Fiannachta; discussing how the film was made […]
1978
“Aotearoa New Zealand, 1978. In a small rural town, the Ropata family must pull together after their lives and community are turned upside down. When the local school faces closure, it’s up to the youngest son and his friends to save it — cooking up one scheme after another as they battle the city kids […]
Show Me Shorts 2026: Aotearoa (captioned)
Beautiful stories of our land and our people. The movies in this collection showcase the work of talented New Zealand short film makers. Bold coming-of-age films sit alongside thoughtful drama, silly comedic fun, inventive fantasy and warm-hearted documentary. We explore unlikely friendships, face our past and step into the unfolding future. Kurī Coming of age, […]
Show Me Shorts 2026: Aotearoa
Beautiful stories of our land and our people. The movies in this collection showcase the work of talented New Zealand short film makers. Bold coming-of-age films sit alongside thoughtful drama, silly comedic fun, inventive fantasy and warm-hearted documentary. We explore unlikely friendships, face our past and step into the unfolding future. Kurī Coming of age, […]
