Sonja reconnects with indigenous film curator,programmer,reviewer and festival co-director
of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival: Leo Koziol.
This special korero is the second time they have guested on PX Whanau and for this time
it’s an insightful look at what’s on offer at this year’s New Zealand International Film
Festival/Whanau Marama from Maori filmmakers,and his mahi as a co-selector for the Nga
Whanaunga Maori Pasifika Shorts programme.We ask him what the highlights are for him at
this years NZIFF as it begins in Aotearoa this month.
Some of the Maori content and /or made films screening at the festival mentioned in this
episode are the following: Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara (2024), directed by Kent
Belcher,Taki Rua Theatre - Breaking Barriers (2024), directed by Whetū Fala,The Haka Party
Incident (2024), directed by Katie Wolfe;
Links : New Zealand Films Shine at 2024 Whānau Mārama New Zealand
International Film Festival • New Zealand International Film Festival
(nziff.co.nz)
Kiriata Māori (maorimovies.com)
Leo Koziol (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Rakaipaaka) is founder and director of
the Wairoa Māori Film Festival. It is the longest-running indigenous film
festival of New Zealand and takes place annually.Leo Koziol worked as
cultural advisor in the Ministry of Maori Development and curates short films
for the New Zealand International Film Festival (Ngā Whanaunga Maori
Pasifika programme). He also curates for various film festivals in Canada,
Italy, Polynesia, the United States and Australia.He is the subject of short film
"Native in Nuhaka" by award winning film maker Hiona Henare. Leo is a
member of the Anishnaabe Bawaadan Artists Collective based in Ontario,
Canada. In 2019, he was presented with the Te Aupounamu Māori in Screen
Excellence Award. In 2020, he was a guest film expert in the visitor
programme of the Goethe Institute at the Berlinale film festival. Since 2020, he
has been the indigenous editor of Letterboxd. With over 3 million members.
Letterboxd is the leading social network for movie mavens and cinema fans
alike.
Kia ora Leo, and thankyou again for yarning with us here on PX Whanau
Radio.