Iti Pounamu Returns for a Third Season on Māori Television

February 3, 2015

Iti Pounamu Returns for a Third Season on Māori Television

More than 20 of the country’s best new short films will premiere on Māori Television in the third season of ITI POUNAMU, starting Monday, February 16 at 10.30pm.

The new series features 26 critically-acclaimed Kiwi films that cover genres ranging from drama and science fiction to animation and comedy.

Each episode features a short film followed by an interview with the filmmaker. These interviews take place not only in their work environment, but also their homes, giving the audience the chance to get to know the filmmakers and the motivation behind their creations.

Producer Michele Bristow says there is a skill in telling a story in a short amount of time.

“You have to strip out the less important elements of a story and cram in as much as you can to keep a story functional. Short, sweet and to the point.

“People like the unexpected and watching a short film you are usually going in knowing nothing or very little. The description gives you an idea of the story and genre, but nothing more. You don’t know the actors or the director, you don’t even know if you will like it,” she says.

The new series of ITI POUNAMU kicks off on February 16 with Nine of Hearts by playwright Briar Grace-Smith, which is about a Pākehā mother dealing with her Māori teenage daughter.

Other films in the series include the award-winning Ross and Beth, directed by Hamish Bennett and produced by Orlando Stewart, which took out the Best Short Film Award at the 2014 New Zealand International Film Festival, and Ebony Society, by Tammy Davis.

Tune in to ITI POUNAMU every Monday at 10.30pm from February 16 for a journey through New Zealand filmmaking.

Upcoming episodes:

NINE OF HEARTS by Briar Grace-Smith (February 16)
Gen, a Pākehā mother, is dealing with her Māori teenage daughter, whose natural wisdom and compassion is clouded with fury at her mother.

THE LAWNMOWER MEN OF KAPU by Libby Hakaraia (February 23)
Atawhai tries to get his three uncles to help his four aunties with the upkeep of their local Marae but problems between his three lawnmower business-owning uncles make it an impossible task.

SONNY MY OLDER BROTHER and EBONY SOCIETY by Tammy Davis (March 2)
Sonny My Older Brother: Po idolises his older brother. So when Sonny gets a hiding Po steps up to help.
Ebony Society: Vinnie and Jonah spend their nights on the streets tagging and stealing. One night they break into a house and find themselves confronted with an unexpected situation.

DAY TRIP by Zoe McIntosh (March 9)
A gang member wakes up one morning and decides he needs a day off. A short voyage between Islands changes his outlook on life

FRIDAY TIGERS by Aidee Walker (March 16)
Ana creates a fantasy world for her daughter in a bid to shield her from life’s disappointment. But an unexpected friendship shows Ana that she can merge her not-so-perfect reality with the make-believe world she has created for her child.

For further information visit www.maoritelevision.com

ENDS

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