03-08-2025
A Best of Film Fest Panel on Whanau Marama's Opening Weekend
This weekend has seen the opening in Tāmaki Makaurau of the Whanau Mārama NZ International film festival. The Auckland leg runs until the 10th of August followed by Christchurch, Wellington and Dunedin, and then six more centres nationwide later in August and early September for smaller programmes.
From films concerning Jacinda Ardern and Dame Robin White to Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner,
It Was Just An Accident
, the eyeballs and ears of our
Culture 101
Best of Fest panel have been rather busy.
Our panel considers over a dozen films we've been privileged to see, many world premieres. Joining us first-up is director of Wairoa Maori Film Festival of 20 years Leo Koziol. And, not to be out beaten, Craig Fasi the director for 25 years of the world's only dedicated Pasifika Film Festival Pollywood. Both Leo and Craig have been selectors for the Whanau Marama Aotearoa short film programmes
Ngā Whanaunga
. And last but not least film producer and former editor in chief of influential film social media platform
Letterboxd
Gemma Gracewood.
Films covered include:
Prime Minister
,
It was just an accident
,
Grace
,
Toitu Visual Sovereignity
,
Workmates
,
Bati
,
One on One: John and Yoko
,
Maya, Give Me a Title
,
Sex/Dreams/Love
trilogy,
Not Only Fred Dagg
,
DJ Ahmet
, and
The Weedeaters
.
