12HR POLYFILMS MARATHON
THE HOLLYWOOD AVONDALE
Friday 4 July, 9am - 9pm
*All sessions are FREE, no bookings required. Please note times may alter from schedule
The Queen’s Flowers (11mins)
2024, Hawaii
Writer, Director: Ciara Leina’ala Lacy
This magical take on a true story follows Emma, a Native Hawaiian girl in 1915 Honolulu, as she makes a special gift for the last monarch of Hawaiʻi, Queen Liliʻuokalani
Moana 2 SINGALONG (1hr 40mins)
2025, USA
Writer, Directors: David G. Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller
Follow on-screen lyrics to sing along with Moana and Maui as they reunite to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters to search for a hidden island, that could break a curse. Join the voyage filled with soaring songs
SESSION ONE : 9AM
Rites of Courage (4.55min)
2005, Samoa/Aotearoa
Writer, Director: Miki Magasiva
Rites of Courage explores the rite of tatau and the coming of age of the Samoan young man in the modern age
(Traditional vs Modern Day).
SESSION TWO : 11.30AM
TINĀ (2hr 4mins)
2024, Aotearoa
Writer, Director: Miki Magasiva
Tinā is the story of Samoan teacher Mareta Percival. Struggling after the death of her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes, Mareta uses the symphony of her culture to empower her students, she forms a choir, bringing them together while unexpectedly rediscovering her passion for being a teacher and mother.
Toa (15mins)
2024, Aotearoa
Writer, Director: Joey Schuster
Enjoy the winning film of the 2024 Pasifika Youth Short Film Competition. “Toa” was written and directed by Joey Schuster, student from St Pauls College.
The annual competition, initiated by Poporazzi Productions with the support of the Ministry of Education, is to empower Pasifika students to share their stories.
SESSION THREE : 2.00PM
Mama’s Music Box (1hr 20min)
2020, Aotearoa
Writer, Director: Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa
It's Christmas Eve in South Auckland, and Matai (Unaloto Funaki) and Sam (Sieni Leo’o Olo) are on a mission to locate their grandmother’s music box — for very different reasons. This family-friendly movie is a comical race against the clock as the search spirals out of control.
*Session Two films are Audio Described
* This audio described session is open to all Blind & Low Vision friends and whānau, and their friends and whānau. Guides are available at the venue an hour before film starts, and ear-pieces are provided for this live audio description. Please introduce yourselves to staff on arrival if you require any help and to receive your headset.
Malo 'aupito to Fatima Akehurst, Pacific Services Coordinator at Blind & Low Vision Aotearoa.
A big s/o to describers Eru Pene, Anatonio Maioha, Kevin Keys and Nicola Owen from Audio Described Aotearoa
The Red Room (17mins)
2024, Aotearoa
Writer, Director: Alex Liu
After a particularly bad day, timid office worker Stanley decides to attend a slap clinic; a pseudo-health centre, but when the session doesn’t go as planned, he realises he should have read the fine print.
The Orator (O Le Tulafale) is a contemporary drama about courage, forgiveness and love. Small in stature and humble, Saili lives a simple life with his beloved wife and daughter in an isolated, traditional village in the islands of Samoa. Forced to protect his land and family, Saili must face his fears and seek the right to speak up for those he loves.
SESSION FOUR : 3.45PM
SPECIAL PANEL EVENT
6.15PM : CLIMATE ACTION NOW (1hr)
Prefacing "The Forgotten Pacific", join local climate activists and advocates
Zane Wedding (Mana Rākau), Juressa Lee (Greenpeace), Tuuao Tristan Petelo Ah Sui (Pacific Climate Warriors)
and more as they discuss climate action in Aotearoa and across Moana Nui a Kiwa.
12Hr PolyFilms Marathon Panel Discussion 2023
Lea Tupu'anga (17mins)
2024, Aotearoa
Screenplay: Luciane Buchanan
Director: Vea Mafile'o
Katherine, a young speech therapist of Tongan and European heritage has lied about her Tongan language skills to work with Siaosi – an elderly Tongan patient with aphasia who has lost his ability to speak English.
SESSION FIVE : 7.15PM
The Forgotten Pacific Documentary (1hr 13mins)
2024, Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands and Samoa
Director/Producer : Elizabeth Koroivulaono
Presenter: Suluafi Brianna Fruean
This important documentary spans across the waters of Fiji, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Samoa. The Forgotten Pacific shows these communities weaving indigenous knowledge into the modern-day fight to adapt, rebuild and save their islands from climate change.
Vinaka Vakalevu to the following writers, directors and creatives for gifting us their time, films and permissions:
Pacific Island Screen Actors (PISA) I Pacific Kids Learning I Joey Schuster at St Paul's College I Esera & Tupe from Poporazzi Productions and the Pacific Youth Short Film Competition I Disney I Miki Magasiva I Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa I Alex Lui I Tusi Tamasese I Luciane Buchanan and Vea Mafileo I Elizabeth Koroivulaono and Suluafi Brianna Fruean I Andrew et al @ Madman I , and all cast and crew - past and present - of these glorious films.
Fakafetai lahi to event supporters Matt, Billie et al @ The Hollywood I Nicola, Paul and Victoria @ Audio Described Aotearoa I Audio describers Eru Peni, Anatonio Maioha, Kevin Keys & I Fatima Akehurst @ Blind & Low Vision NZ I Climate activists & advocates Zane Wedding @ Mana Rākau, Juressa Lee (Greenpeace), Tuuao Tristan Petelo Ah Sui (Pacific Climate Warriors), Ahutoa Lanefale and Lana McFall @ Hanga Studio for all WPF;Kotahitanga design work and Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa @ PISA and Abba-Rose for your amazing 2025 curation!!