The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab is a year-long program to support Māori filmmakers to achieve excellence in feature film production by building teams of Māori Writers, Directors & Producers on five feature film projects. The program will advance select projects to become market-ready by providing funding and international mentoring for the filmmakers.
There are two streams through which to apply, either as a Writer, or Producer and/or Director.
The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab is structured around four pou:
- Pou Tuatahi: Māoriland Indigenous Script Accelerator - a full-time paid residency for experienced Māori screenwriters.
- Pou Tuarua: Producers and directors join the writers to form key creative teams.
- Pou Tuatoru: Teams prepare their projects for international markets.
- Pou Tuawhā: Participants receive market training and support as they present their work at international markets and festivals.
Applications to the Script Accelerator opened on 13 August 2024, and close on 6 September 2024. Participants will be notified on 15 September and the program begins on 1 October 2024.
Applications for the Producers & Directors Co-Lab (Pou Tuarua – Pou Tuawhā) opens on 15 September, and close on 15 October. Participants will be notified on 15 November, and begins on 1 December 2024.
Māoriland is proud to to empower local Indigenous storytellers on the world stage with the local and international support of the NZFC, Sundance Indigenous Program, imagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival and Ngā Aho Whakaari.