In a dazzling showcase of Pacific filmmaking talent, the inaugural Alofa Awards illuminated the capital, marking a pivotal moment in Pacific visual storytelling.

Hosted for the first time in Wellington, the Wednesday evening event honoured the creativity and vision of 60 young Pacific filmmakers from 17 local schools.

Pacific media production company Poporazzi productions spearheaded this celebration and have been fostering budding filmmakers through innovative workshops in Auckland, Rotorua, and Tauranga since January 2022. The company only this year added Wellington to that list.

Co-founders and Wellingtonians Muagututi’a Esera Tanoa’i and Pulotu Tupe Solomon-Tanoa’i emphasise the transformative power of storytelling in their mentorship of Pacific secondary students.

Solomon-Tanoa’i reflects on the immersive experience provided to the students learning about the Dawn Raids.

“Our aim was that our students would learn about how storytelling can help people to heal, that they would have a greater understanding and appreciation of the history of Pacific communities in New Zealand, and be more aware of the struggles that older generations of Pasifika faced in the 1970s.

“We hope that the skills our youth learned on this course will be the start or the continuation of a lifelong journey of connecting to their culture, identity and history.”

Best Actor award went to Scots College student, Tautiaga Fepulea'i pictured with his family. Photo/Supplied

Tanoa’i echoes this sentiment, highlighting the aim is to instil a deeper connection to culture and history among the youth.

He says students had the opportunity to hear from different sources and perspectives from the Dawn Raids evoking compassionate, insightful, and skillful story telling.

“We are grateful to the Pacific filmmakers who had made films about this era and shared their experiences of how to research and make films based on an historical point in time.

“The students also had the chance to talanoa a survivor of the Dawn Raids, who shared their lived experience and first hand account of the Raids. It was an invaluable opportunity to connect with a member of the older generation who lived through these times.”

The Wellington Alofa Awards, formally known as the Pasifika Youth Short Film Competition, was made possible through the help of premier sponsor, the Ministry for Pacific Peoples Teu Le Va Fund as well as Wellington UNESCO City of Film.

Top honours went to "A Different Awakening" directed by Vatau Sagaga from Wainuiomata Intermediate and his cousin Alaifatu Fraser Fatialofa from Wellington College, captivating audiences with its poignant narrative showcasing the wisdom derived from intergenerational dialogue.

An esteemed panel of Pacific screen industry icons, including Tusi Tamasese, Marina McCartney, and Bailey Poching, lent their expertise to the judging process, underlining the significance of mentorship in nurturing future talent.

Tanoa’i envisions a future where Pacific filmmakers stand shoulder to shoulder with industry giants.

“Many of our screen artists made it in their field during a period when there were few Pasifika role models in the industry. The time they’ve given to our youth, gives them a glimpse of what might be possible for them in the future.”

People's Choice awarded to Ivon Murdoch from St Michael's School Taita for her film - The Next Generation. Photo/Supplied

The night’s winners received prizes that will help them continue their filmmaking journeys as well as a statuette called an “Alofa award”.

“The award represents all the love that the youth have poured into their film. We designed the award to have the same proportions as an Oscar. Who knows? One day the awards may sit side by side on the shelf of our alumni,” Tanoa’i says.

As the curtain falls on this remarkable event, the legacy of the Alofa Awards lights a path for aspiring Pacific storytellers, igniting a flame of creativity that promises to burn bright for generations to come.

PRIZEWINNERS FOR THE WELLINGTON REGION

BEST ACTRESS - Juliannah Manuele - St Michaels School
BEST ACTOR - Tautiaga Fepulea’i - Scots College
BEST SCHOOL - St Michaels School
BEST FILM - A different awakening - Vatau Sagaga

SPECIAL AWARDS

SOLOMON-TANOA’I AWARD FOR PERSEVERANCE - Luisa Joseph - Naenae College
PEOPLE’S CHOICE - Ivon Murdoch
All films can be viewed here.