E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards 2024 recognises young Māori excellence
April 3, 2024
The E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards 2024, now in their eleventh year, once again shone a light on rangatahi creativity and potential.
Held in Ōtaki as part of the annual Māoriland Film Festival (MFF), the awards featured films made during E Tū Whānau rangatahi filmmaking workshops in 2023, and some submitted directly to MFF.
Featuring films that ranged from comedy through drama to music and dance, the event was a warm and uplifting celebration of the richness that is rangatahi indigenous storytelling in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Oriwa Hakaraia, Pou Ruruku Rangatahi at Māoriland, and Bai Buliruarua (Fiji) presented the six awards to the young filmmakers. Te Ihorei (Filmmaker of the Year) went to Maaria Gaby-Heke, (Ngāti Tukorehe, Ngāti Huia, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Hurinui) for her film Kaua e Whakaweti.
“I’m really thankful to have won this award. At first I thought, ‘Ah there’s so many other better films out there’ that I didn’t expect to win, so it’s really meaningful to me that I won this. I think my Mum will be happy too.”
Maaria Gaby-Heke, Te Ohorei (Filmmaker of the Year)
Te Tino Whakaataata (Best Drama) went to Mōrearea, while Tama vs Kōtirowas recognised for Wai Ora Whanaungatanga (Best Use of Theme). Pepa, Kotikoti, Kōhatu (Best Edit) was won by Pretty Girl Club.
Te Kura Huia, winner of Pepa, Kotikoti, Kōhatu (Best Edit)
Maaria Gaby-Heke (centre), winner of Te Ihorei (Filmmaker of the Year) with friends Te Huia (left) and Heremia
Te Rautangi (left), Ihaia, Winiata, and Te Whaiao (right) winners of Tōku Reo, Tōku Ohooho (Best Reo Māori Film)
Aio (left) and Aiyana, winners of Te Tino Whakaataata (Best Drama)
Award for Best Reo Māori Film introduced
The Tōku Reo, Tōku Ohooho (Best Reo Māori Film) Award was introduced for the first time at The E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards 2024. It was introduced to encourage the use of the language and to acknowledge how important it is for rangatahi to have the option of telling their stories in the language of their tīpuna.
“When we asked our rangatahi, are you going to make your film i roto i te reo Māori. They’re like, ‘Āe, yup.’ It’s not even a question, not even a second thought for them.”
Oriwa Hakaraia, Pou Ruruku Rangatahi at Māoriland
E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards 2024
The films explored themes of female strength, pride and inclusivity, safety and tikanga, and resilience and conflict resolution,
Together they gave powerful voice to the perspectives, experiences, and concerns of rangatahi Māori.
“Proud of my skin, I bring no shame …Imma dance like no-nobody is watching me.”
Lyrics from Pretty Girl Club, winner of Pepa, Kotikoti, Kōhatu (Best Edit)
Based on one of the six E Tū Whānau mātāpono or values, the films highlighted the importance of encouraging young creative people in Aotearoa New Zealand to tell stories from their unique cultural perspective.
“It’s important to have a voice in the filmmaking industry so we can show people our talent as well – it’s not all Disney and stuff. There are other native films that are really cool.”
Maaria Gaby-Heke, Te Ohorei (Filmmaker of the Year)
Shaneece Brunning, E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Advisor, spoke at the event, offering support to all young filmmakers and congratulations to those who produced winning films.
Bai Buliruarua and Oriwa Hakaraia presented the E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards 2024
Rangatahi enjoying the films at E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Awards 2024
Shaneece Brunning, E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Advisor, offered tautoko and congratulations to rangatahi at the event
E Tū Whānau Māoriland workshops
Run by Māoriland in various North Island locations, E Tū Whānau Filmmaking Workshops give rangatahi, especially those in isolated communities, access to the tools and skills to create their own stories in film.
“In the workshops, they see that filmmaking is a pathway for them. They can visualise their ideas and what they want to create,” says Oriwa Hakaraia.
Open to young people aged 12 – 25 and designed with a collaborative taukana-teina model at their core, the workshops also present career opportunities and tautoko the creative aspirations of the young participants.
“Lead and facilitated by rangatahi, these workshops present opportunities to connect with tuakana in the industry. They support rangatahi Māori to feel safe and empowered and recognised for their work,” says Oriwa.
Oriwa Hakaraia, Pou Ruruku Rangatahi at Māoriland, and coordinator of E Tū Whānau Filmmaking Workshops.
“Indigenous storytelling and hearing from rangatahi in communities have never been more important – it’s never been more important for Māori to take control of our own narrative and we can start doing that by planting little seeds that grow into a beautiful garden of strong, empowered young people who can have fun but also bring this side that is under-represented in the mainstream.”
