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.