The opening festival is planned to be held in early June 2005, during the Matariki celebration in Wairoa, located in northern Hawke's Bay, on the Eastern Coast of the North Island of Aotearoa, New Zealand. A hub of Maori cultural creativity, together with a strong indigenous spirit and wild natural beauty.

 

    

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

It is a unique mix of historic and contemporary Maori feature films.

The films selected will be primarily about Maori topics, focused on traditional and modern Maori life, where Maoris are important or supporting characters in the film, starring people of Maori descent in an international role or directed or produced by people of Maori descent in a "behind the camera" role.

Other film genres that will be considered for inclusion in the festival are films of international significance for indigenous people; films reflecting cultural experiences and films exploring Pacific Islands people’s cultural experiences in both their homelands and their new homes