Press Release: Festival Award Winners 2008
PRESS RELEASE: WAIROA MAORI FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wairoa, June 3rd 2008
Te Roopu Whakaata Maori I Te Wairoa – Wairoa Maori Film Festival
Society Inc. is proud to announce the recipients of this year’s
festival awards:
Festival Prize (Best Overall Entry)
Festival Trophy & $500 Prize to “Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere”
Director Simon Marler
Dramatic Short (Aotearoa) Audience Award
Festival Trophy to “Patu Ihu”
Director Summer Agnew
International Indigenous Drama
Festival Trophy to “Four Sheets to the Wind”
Director Sterlin Harjo (USA)
International Indigenous Documentary (Short)
Festival Trophy to “Nigger Lovers”
Director Rhonda Hagan
International Indigenous Documentary (Long)
Festival Trophy to “Way of the Warrior”
Director Patty Loew
Documentary (Aotearoa) Award
Festival Trophy to “Turangaarere The John Pohe Story”
Director Julian Arahanga
The Festival Awards Night & Celebration was held at the Wairoa War
Memorial Hall, Wairoa, on Saturday evening May 31st. Entertainment for
the evening was Maori guitar legend Billy TK.
Trophies were presented by special guests at the awards night,
including Hon. Parekura Horomia (Minister of Maori Affairs), Mayor Les
Probert of Wairoa, Mayor Meng Foon of Gisborne, Ella Henry, Pita Turei
and Rawiri Paretene. Many of the film-makers were present on the
evening, including Patty Loew who had travelled from Wisconsin, USA.
International Indigenous Documentary (Short) was presented to Rhonda
Hagan and Stephen Hagan who had travelled from Toowoomba, Australia.
The theme of this year’s festival was “Te Karanga O Papatuanuku, Te
Waiata O Te Whenua’ ~ ‘The Land Sings, The Earth Cries Out.” This
environmental theme was reflected in a selection of kaitiaki-themed
films throughout the festival, including Festival Prize winner
“Restoring the Mauri of Lake Omapere.”
Authorised by: Te Roopu Whakaata Maori I Te Wairoa – Wairoa Maori Film
Festival Society Inc. www.manawairoa.com
