World of Cultures: Cultural Short Film Night

This collection of eight Kiwi short films offers a variety of stories that are anchored around cultural identity, whānau and courage. The characters come from a variety of backgrounds that reflect Aotearoa's diverse heritage. All are facing pivotal moments in their lives where they will be forced to stand up for themselves or their family.

This is a roaming event delivered in 8 locations across Tāmaki Makaurau, all events are free. Refer to our website for full list of locations and booking information.

Read the synopsis and check the rating for each film:

- Matua
Drama, 20 minutes, New Zealand
Manaaki returns home after the death of his mother. After the tangi, he is approached by two strangers to provide Te Reo Māori lessons to them. Manaaki reluctantly accepts, unaware that he is about to uncover hidden family secrets.
Director/Writer: Kaitiaki Rodger, Producer: Cameron Broadhurst
Rating: PG - Offensive language

- Liliu
Drama, 18 minutes, NZ, 2019
A court interpreter in colonial Samoa is faced with the choice to risk everything in order to help a wrongfully convicted chief.
Director/Writer: Jeremiah Tauamiti, Producer: Ngaire Fuata
Rating: PG - Low-level violence

- The World in Your Window
Drama, 15 minutes, NZ, 2017
Eight-year-old Jesse is stuck in a tiny caravan with his grief-stricken father, until his accidental friendship with a V8-driving transsexual unlocks the means for their liberation.
Director/Writer: Zoe McIntosh, Writer: Costa Botes, Producer: Hamish Mortland
Rating: PG

- Sixteen
Drama, 12 minutes, New Zealand
With an unplanned pregnancy and a strained relationship with her mother, life is not the K-pop fantasy Yaejin dreams of.
Director/Writer: Nahyeon Lee, Producer: Julie Zhu
Rating: M

- Money Honey
Drama, 9 minutes, NZ, 2020
Stuck in the middle of Auckland's housing crisis, two young hustlers discover some money and try to double it in the hope of buying an epic sandwich.
Director/Writer: Isaac Knights-Washbourn, Producer: Lissandra Leite, Robby Peters
Rating: PG - Offensive language

- Song for Serbia
Drama, 9 minutes, New Zealand
Two sisters decide to escape lockdown and are picked up by a couple of unlikely locals. Mistake, assumption and prejudice come to the fore after a sudden perceived threat.
Director/Writer: Rouzie Hassanova, Producer: Francesca Carney
Rating: PG - Coarse language

- Tree
Drama, 16 minutes, NZ, 2017
One evening Alisi climbs a huge tree and won’t come down. As night falls and we discover her secret, Alisi must choose whether to follow tradition or find a new path - with or without her family.
Director/Writer: Lauren Jackson, Producer: Jeremy Macey, Andrew Cochrane
Rating: PG - Coarse language

- Tama
Coming of Age, 9 minutes, NZ, 2017
During a fraught car trip, Tama, a deaf Māori boy, must rise up to confront his family. The story culminates in an electrifying silent performance of the haka.
Director/Writer: Jared Flitcroft, Jack O'Donnell, Writer: David Hansen, Producer: Ashleigh Flynn
Rating: PG - Coarse language

Presented by: Show Me Shorts Film Festival and Auckland Council as part of World of Cultures Festival 2022