PISA - Pacific Islands Screen Artists

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PISA - Pacific Islands Screen Artists

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The Pacific Islands Screen Artists group supports, encourages and promotes individuals of Pacific Islands heritage working in the New Zealand Screen sectors at all stages of their journey.

01/10/2026

🌊 ANNOUNCING THE NIU WAVES 2026 TEAMS 🌊

PISA is proud to announce the four successful teams selected for Niu Waves 2026, our series development initiative supported by NZ On Air / Irirangi Te Motu

A huge congratulations to this year’s participants:

🌺 Kerry Warkia, Nikki Si’ulepa, Keil McNaughton, and Chris Taylor
🌺 Tulia Thompson and Craig Parkes
🌺 Dahlia Malaeulu, Ali Cowley and Hweiling Ow
🌺 Tuki Laumea and Cleo Fraser

Over the coming weeks, we’re excited to see these teams develop their series ideas, strengthen their stories, and take the next steps towards bringing them to life 👏🏾✨

22/09/2026

🌺 Calling all Pacific screen practitioners! 🌺

A Rising Tide Lifts All Vaka is back for 2026, with an info day for those wanting to better understand how funding for Series works through NZ On Air.

If you’ve never applied for NZ On Air funding, you’re developing a series of your own, or you’re still trying to get your head around how the process actually works, this day is for you.

Come along, bring your questions and get the information you need to better navigate the funding process and your screen journey.

Saturday 3 October | 10am–3pm
Taro Patch, Papatoetoe In person or online via Zoom FREE | Refreshments provided

Registrations are now open (link in bio).
In-person spaces are limited, so get in quick!

05/09/2026

We’re celebrating Tusi Tamasese and his incredible invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences!

A well-deserved recognition of Tusi’s contribution to Sāmoan and Pacific cinema and his award-winning body of work grounded in Sāmoan language, culture and identity 🙌🏾

And the story continues, with Tusi and longtime collaborator and producer Catherine Fitzgerald preparing to bring their third feature film to the screen.

Speaking with Local Democracy Reporting about the invitation, Tusi reflected on what the recognition means beyond his own work:

“It is a testament that we are being noticed and recognised as part of the cinema community.

Being invited alongside Vea Mafile’o, Te Arepa Kahi and others shows this isn’t a one-off, there’s a body of Pacific work being noticed, not just a single story.

The message is, the path is real and open to anyone.”

Congratulations Tusi! 👏🏾✨
We celebrate you, your mahi and the Sāmoan and Pacific stories you continue to bring to the world. 🌺

Quotes from Tusi Tamasese’s interview with Mary Afemata for Local Democracy Reporting

03/09/2026

🎬 CASTING CALL | CHRISTCHURCH 🎬

An exciting new animated short film is coming to Christchurch!

Funded through the New Zealand Film Commission Catalyst fund, Tamaiti O le Mau is written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Jacob Luamanuvae-Su’a and produced by Jeremiah Tauamiti of Bishops Production.

The film will use newly developed performance-tracking technology. While the final film is animated, the process is similar to motion capture, meaning facial expressions and physical performance are a vital part of bringing these characters to life.

Acting or performance experience is preferred, but not essential, and there is some flexibility with the ages of the younger performers. Voice and confidence are the most important things.

Interested? Email [email protected] and we’ll connect you with the producer.

Fa’afetai! 🌺

02/09/2026

We’re celebrating Vea Mafile’o and her incredible invitation to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences!

A well-deserved recognition of Vea’s contribution to filmmaking and Pacific storytelling 🙌🏾

And what better time to celebrate, with LOMU directed by Vea and Gavin Fitzgerald arriving in Aotearoa cinemas tomorrow, 3 September.

In Vea’s words:

“To receive this invitation while preparing to bring LOMU home to Tonga feels deeply symbolic. It reminds me that our stories don’t have to leave the Pacific to matter, they can begin at home and still resonate with the world.

It acknowledges the years of work that have gone into telling Pacific stories on our own terms, while also reminding me that there are still so many voices from our region waiting to be heard. I hope this recognition opens the door a little wider for the next generation of Pacific filmmakers, because none of us walk through these doors alone.”

Congratulations Vea Mafileo 👏🏾✨
We celebrate you, your mahi, and the Pacific stories you continue to carry out into the world. 🌺

27/08/2026

PAID ARTIST CALLOUT | THE TIMID TANIWHA

Calling all artists! 👀

The team behind upcoming animated short film ‘The Timid Taniwha’ has recently received NZ Film Commission Catalyst funding and is looking for artists to support the early visual development of the project.

We’re looking for:
Character Artist
Environment Concept Artist

Experienced designers are encouraged to apply, but we’d also love to hear from talented graduates and emerging artists whose work aligns with the style of the project.

🎬 KEY CREATIVES
Written by Toi Rankin
Directed by Toi Rankin & Alex Moruo
Produced by Carrisse Uta’i

📅 Start date: Immediately
💰 This is a paid opportunity

Sound like you? Send your CV + portfolio to:
📧 [email protected]

Please apply via email as social media DMs will not be monitored.

And if you know an artist who might be perfect for this, tag them or send this their way! ✨

20/08/2026

Come and meet PISA at Meet the Guilds 2026! 🎬🌺

Whether you’re already working in the screen industry, just starting out, or simply curious about what the different guilds do, come along for a relaxed evening of connection and kōrero.

Meet the PISA team, learn more about how we support Pacific peoples working in screen, meet other representatives from across the screen guilds, learn about the support, resources and opportunities they offer, and catch up with fellow industry folk (all without any formal speeches or presentations).

Just good people, warm kai and a bar tab 🙌🏽

📅 Tuesday 8 September
⏰ Drop in anytime between 5–8pm
📍 Morningside Tavern, 16 McDonald Street, Sandringham
🎟️ FREE entry but RSVP required

Good talanoa and good people. RSVP via the link in our bio ✨

12/08/2026

🌊 NIU WAVES 2026 applications are now open! 🌊

Thinking of applying or have questions about the programme?

PISA is hosting an online Q&A webinar this Thursday 13 August at 6:30pm for anyone wanting to find out more about NIU WAVES 2026 and the application process.

Register for the webinar via the NIU WAVES application panel.

🔗 Application + webinar registration link in bio.

08/08/2026

Niu Waves 2026 is now open! 🌊

Niu Waves 2026 is a series development initiative created by PISA and supported by NZ On Air. Built from the ground up with a Pasifika approach to screen development.

📅 Applications open: 8th Aug
📅 Closing date: 7th Sep
📣 Successful teams announced: 22nd Sep

If you’ve got a series idea, now is the time to put it forward. Don’t wait on this one | Link in bio 🔗

APPLY NOW 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾

Address

Auckland
1026

Website

http://www.pisa.org.nz/

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