City of Film focuses on diverse voices

Youth, Māori, Pasifika and other diverse groups will soon have better access to opportunities in the film industry following the launch of Wellington Unesco City of Film’s strategy yesterday.

Last year, Wellington received the Unesco City of Film status, joining 246 other cities, including Sydney, Rome, Galway, Bristol and Busan in South Korea, in becoming part of the Unesco Creative Cities Network, which recognises creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development.

At The National Library yesterday, Wellington Unesco City of Film launched its strategy, which aims to increase access to screen experiences and promote diverse voices, among young people, Māori and Pasifika storytellers.

By partnering with Mana whenua and other community groups, the first year of the strategy will ensure the groups are able to tell their own stories in their own words.

Additionally, a new partnership with Wellingtonbased Māori screen companies will see them host workshops delivered by young Māori and Pasifika entrepreneurs to recent graduates.

The launch includes New Zealand’s first Māori virtual reality film Whakakitenga.

Made by Porirua-basedWiremu Grace – who is of Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Atiawa ki Whakarongotai and Ngāti Porou descent – in collaboration with Victoria University, the film uses VR technology to immerse viewers in the sights and sounds of 1840s Te Ao Māori (the Māori world).

A show reel of screen action has been also curated to celebrate Wellington’s screen history, which had its first public airing at the launch.

It starts with New Zealand’s earliest surviving piece of film shot in 1900, showing Kiwi soldiers preparing to leave for the Boer War.

Viewers are then taken on a journey to modern classics, such as WhatWe Do In The Shadows.

The show reel soundtrack features the song High Heights, written and performed by Wellington artist RIIKI.