Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) has today announced the winners of the New Zealand’s Best and Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts awards for 2024, as well as the winners in the unique 2024 Fresh and Frames strand competitions. The five finalists for were selected by Guest Selector Gerard Johnstone and the six finalists for Ngā Whanaunga Māori Pasifika Shorts were selected by curators Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka) and Craig Fasi (Niue), as announced earlier this year. The finalists were judged by a jury comprising filmmakers Hiona Black and Mīria George, and artist Suzanne Tamaki.
The public were also invited to vote for their favourite film in each competition. The jury awards were presented following the Auckland screenings at ASB Waterfront Theatre, as part of the festival’s Aotearoa Film Focus Weekend on Sunday 18 August. The and cash prize of $1000 was announced the same evening, at the Closing Night of NZIFF 2024 in Auckland.
New Zealand’s Best award recipients are as follows: The and $7500 cash prize was awarded to director Vea Mafile’o for her film Director Vea Mafile’o says, “I feel incredibly honored and proud to receive such a prestigious award, especially on the eve of Uike Kātoanga’i ‘o e lea faka-Tonga – Tonga Language Week. This film represents the different cultural journeys we are all on. There are many paths and different experiences.
Everyone's cultural identity and sense o.