New Zealand-based organisation Pacific Islands Screen Artists (PISA) is one of six recipients Screenrights has announced to be supported by the 2024 round of its annual Cultural Fund, for this year’s focus of Big Issues: Creative Solutions.
The Pacific Islands Screen Artists group was established to support, encourage and promote individuals of Pacific Islands heritage working in the New Zealand Screen sectors at all stages of their journey. PISA will further their work within Aotearoa’s screen industry with the Cultural Fund grant of $AUD50,000 for their ‘Pacific Islands Cultural Guidance for Screen Productions’ initiative, which will create a service to evaluate productions’ cultural needs, connect them with suitable individuals and communities, and ensure cultural authenticity and inclusivity in screen productions.
Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa, Pacific Islands Screen Artists General Manager, and WIFT member says: “PISA is humbled and thankful to receive funding for our Pacific Islands Cultural Guidance for Screen Productions.
"Humility, service and respect are at the core of the very many cultures that make up the Pacific Islands. We at PISA are looking forward to bringing these strands of our culture to weave a knowledge basket for our screen industry, that focuses on collaboration and transparency as a starting point for cultural safety with the goal of maintaining the integrity of Pacific Islands cultural elements, people and stories.”
Congratulations PISA, your team and your community!