12Hr PolyFilms Marathon
Fri 10 July, 9am-9pm
"Te Kawerau ā Maki Presents" 2025 Whau Pasifika Festival. Photo Credit: Afereti Photography
KAPAEMAHU (8 mins)
2020, Hawaii/USA
Directors: Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, Daniel Sousa (Animation Director)
Long ago, four extraordinary beings of dual male and female spirit brought the healing arts to Hawaii and imbued their powers in four giant boulders. The stones still stand on Waikiki Beach, but their true story has been hidden - until now.
LILO & STITCH (Live Action - 1hr 48mins)
2025, USA
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
A lonely Hawaiian girl befriends a runaway alien, helping to mend her fragmented family. The 2025 live action version of the hit animation film.
SESSION ONE : 9AM
KÜĪ - MOTHER (11mins)
2024, Languages: English, Sāmoan, Èo Ènana
Writer: Carrisse Utai, Director: Kahu Kaiha
In the face of her mother's absence and her father's alcoholism, 12 yo girl, Küi, rises above her age, caring for her brothers and confronting life's harsh realities. Based on a true story.
SESSION TWO : 11.30AM
THREE WISE COUSINS (1hr 29mins)
2016, Aotearoa, Samoa
Writer/Director: Sallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa
Romantic comedy about a 22-year-old Samoan-Kiwi looking to impress a woman who only wants to go out with a 'real island guy'. So, he journeys to Samoa to get advice from those who can teach him best - his cousins.
*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 Kevin Keys and Nicola Owen from Audio Described Aotearoa
FIRST BORN (9mins)
2025, Aotearoa, Tonga
Writer/Director: Veisinia Moalapau'u
A young Tongan woman must navigate the birth of her first child and death of her beloved grandma.
FIRST PLACE (1hr 14mins)
2025, Aotearoa
Writer, Co-Creators: Bianca Seinafo-Tuilaepa, Mario Faumui, Leki Jackson-Bourke
Directors: Damon Fepulea'i, Bianca Seinafo-Tuilaepa
All eyes are on St Gabriel’s after they went full flop on the PolyFest Samoa stage. Enjoy the wild ride through heartbreak, hustle, and hallways — a love letter to siva Samoa, school pride, and the chaos of teenage life.
SESSION THREE : 2.00PM
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DAUNITUKUTUKU (14mins)
2024, Fiji
Writer, Director: Meli Tuqota
In 1800s Fiji, a young Fijian woman must battle man and nature to carry an important message necessary to save her village from invading forces.
TONGAN NINJA (1hr 23 mins)
2002, Aotearoa
Writers: Jason Stutter, Jemaine Clement
Director: Jason Stutter
The Tongan Ninja is sent by his master to the island of New Zealand to help a floundering Chinese restaurant, but the mysterious Mister Big sends numerous villains to prevent the eatery's success. SPECIAL 35mm film screening.
SESSION FOUR : 3.45PM
PISA MIXER & FILM INDUSTRY PANEL
5.00PM onwards
The film industry crosses multiple arts disciplines and Pasifika creatives are across them all. Join facilitator PISA General Manager Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa and working professionals
Sami Salsa, Michel Mulipola, who cover costume, animation and more.
12Hr PolyFilms Marathon Panel Discussion 2023
SESSION FIVE : 7.00PM
Tenor: My Name Is Pati (1hr 44mins)
2026, Aotearoa
Director/Writer: Rebecca Tansley
Starring: Pene Pati, Amitai Pati
Before finding fame on some of opera’s grandest stages, brothers Pene and Amitai Pati called Magele home. Shot across 7 countries the film follows the brother's rise from singing in church halls to success with trio Sol3 Mio and international opera debuts.
Vinaka Vakalevu to the following writers, directors and creatives for gifting us their time, films and permissions:
Pacific Island Screen Actors (PISA) I Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer, Joe Wilson, Daniel Sousa I Disney I Carisse Utai, Kahu Kaiha I Veisinia Moalapau'u I Bianca Seinafo-Tuilaepa, Mario Faumui, Leki Jackson-Bourke, Damon Fepulea'i I Coconet TV I Meli Tuqota I Jason Stutter, Jermaine Clement I Nora Aati, Vea Mafileo I Rebecca Tansley, Rialto I Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa 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 Kevin Keys & I Fatima Akehurst @ Blind & Low Vision NZ I PISA Panellists Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa, Sami Salsa, Michel Muliopola, I Ahutoa Lanefale and Lana McFall @ Hanga Studio for all design work and Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa @ PISA for another amazing PolyFilms Marathon curation!