MANA WAIROA FILM AWARDS 2010
Press Release: Nuhaka Wairoa District Aotearoa Sunday 6 June 2010
Last night the Awards Dinner of the Wairoa Maori Film Festival were held at Kahungunu Marae, Nuhaka.
For the first time, awards were presented for Acting roles, with the goal of recognising Acting talent in the Maori community:
Best Male Actor (Short Film) Aotearoa:Tuhoe Isaac in DAY TRIP
Best Female Actor (Short Film) Aotearoa: Shannon Claire in URU
Best Male Actor (Feature Film) Aotearoa: James Rolleston in BOY
Best Female Actor (Feature Film) Aotearoa: Helen Pearse-Otene in NO PETROL NO DIESEL
Independent film Director Stefen Harris (NO PETROL NO DIESEL) was present to accept the award of behalf of Helen Pearse-Otene.
As a result of the breadth of dramatic portrayal in non-human roles, a special award was presented as follows:
Best Non-Human Actor Aotearoa: Leaf in BOY
Mayor Meng Foon of Gisborne accepted the award on behalf of Leaf and Nanny Goats everywhere.
In the film Directing categories the following awards were presented:
Best International Indigenous Entry: REEL INJUN by Neil Diamond
Best Aotearoa Feature Drama: STRENGTH OF WATER by Armagan Ballantyne & Briar Grace-Smith
Best Aotearoa Documentary: THIS WAY OF LIFE by the Karena Family
Maori Land Court Judge Caren Fox accepted the award for THIS WAY OF LIFE on behalf of the Karena whanau. The film was Directed by Tom Burstyn and Barbara Sumner Burstyn.
In the Audience Award category the following award was presented:
Aotearoa Short Dramatic Film – Audience Award: URU by Hiona Henare
Each year, the Wairoa Maori Film Festival presents a FESTIVAL PRIZE for the most outstanding and groundbreaking film of the festival. The FESTIVAL PRIZE was presented by Festival Chairperson Huia Koziol, who is also a Trustee of the Kahungunu Community Marae Committee. The FESTIVAL PRIZE was awarded to:
BOY by Taika Waititi
Festival Director Leo Koziol acknowledge the role of Merata Mita as Executive Producer of BOY, as well as numerous short films played throughout the festival weekend.
The Festival Awards are selected by the Festival Executive Committee, with the assistance of mentors in the Maori film industry.
The audience award is selected by audiences at the film festival.
Authorised by: Te Roopu Whakaata Maori I Te Wairoa Inc.
Contact: Leo Koziol Festival Director 0211434113 email: maorimovies@gmail.com
