Check out this beautiful new docu-series, Choir Games, from our member, director Leanne Pooley. Congratulations to the entire team, which includes a handful of WIFT members: Julia Parnell and Briar March, as Field Directors, Catherine Madigan as Line Producer, and Karen Sidney as Associate Producer.
The four-part series tells the story of two remarkable choirs, New Zealand’s Kaitāia Community Voices and New York’s Young People’s Chorus of New York City, as they embark on a life-changing journey to compete in the largest choral competition on earth, 2024’s World Choir Games, held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
The series follows the choirs from their first rehearsals to their climactic performances, revealing their common struggles, dreams, and unyielding resilience. It introduces viewers to the extraordinary conductors who serve as musical mentors and personal guides to their singers. These maestros must navigate a myriad of challenges as they motivate their choirs to prepare for the competition and give it all that they’ve got. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, both choirs are united by the joy that comes from singing some of the most beautiful songs ever written.
Sky New Zealand Originals Senior Commissioner Nick Ward says, “Sky New Zealand Originals is thrilled to team up with talented documentary filmmaker Leanne Pooley for Choir Games. She’s delivered a deeply moving and often hilarious series that shines a light on some truly extraordinary people and captures the power of song in uniting people. We can’t wait to share this heart-warming series with Aotearoa audiences.”
Leanne shared, “I can honestly say this is the most joyful story I’ve ever told. The power of music to change lives is incredibly inspiring. I really think the world needs a series like this just now.”
Watch this stunning trailer here
And be sure to watch Choir Games when it is released on Neon and Sky Go from Sunday 4 May, premiering on Sky Open at 7.30pm that evening. Made with the support of NZ On Air.