Source: Auckland Council
The fifth series of Someday Stories, a creative development platform for emerging filmmakers, sees a fresh crop of short films that inspire, challenge, uplift, and question, premiere online every Monday and Wednesday in September, accessible through a variety of online platforms including PlayStuff and Someday Stories’ own channels.
With genres ranging from drama, documentary, and mockumentary, the six short films developed in Series 5 are:
Mekeni
Release date: Wednesday 8 September; Drama
Aotearoa’s first short film in Kapampángan-Filipino language, Mekeni explores how an unexpected encounter connects a Filipino-Kiwi daughter and her migrant father, causing them to confront their ongoing grief in the face of impending further loss.
Director: Alyssa Medel-Khew
Co-Producer & Writer: Márianne Infante
Producer: Todd Waters
With industry mentoring from Script Consultant Lynda Chanwai-Earle and Production Mentor Shuchi Kothari
He Takatāpui Ahau
Release date: Monday 13 September; Drama
Addressing the role of gender on our marae in a cinematic first, He Takatāpui Ahau follows a gentle non-binary person as they decide to go back to their tūrangawaewae despite uncertainty that they’ll be accepted for who they are.
Director & Writer: Alesha Ahdar Producer: Komako-aroha Silver
With industry mentoring from Max Currie
Taiao
Release date: Wednesday 15 September; Documentary
With the film-maker returning from the USA to reconnect with his people and rohe, Taiao explores how and why we use Aotearoa’s natural environment the way we do, presenting a snapshot of the times we live in through this flagship experimental, nonverbal documentary.
Director: Andrei Talili & Micah Winiata
Producer: Micah Winiata
With industry mentoring from Jerry Tauamiti
A Fracking Tour of Taranaki
Release date: Monday 20 September; Documentary
As emission targets loom, this short documentary highlights an environmental catastrophe persisting in Aotearoa’s backyard – the expansion of oil and natural gas operations in Taranaki.
Concept & Director: Ethan Alderson-Hughes
Producers: Jean Bell & Ali Nicholls
With industry mentoring from Jim Marbrook
Pet Day
Release date: Wednesday 22 September; Drama
Exploring men’s mental health in rural Aotearoa, two horse-loving best friends are confused by their Step-Dad’s emotional reaction when they bring home a gift from their teacher.
Director & Writer: Ruby Harris, Producer: Stephanie Escalante
With industry mentoring from Script Consultant: Johanna Smith and Production Mentor Alix Whittaker
A Peek Inside The CHCH Internet Troll Agency
Release date: Monday 27th September; Comedy/Mockumentary
Exploring fake news with tongue firmly in cheek humour, a documentary crew is granted special access through a family member into the Christchurch branch of the top-secret Social Cyberspace Agency.
Directors and Writers: Lucie Jones & Genevieve Kent
Producer: Mikaela Rüegg
With industry mentoring from Script Consultant Thomas Sainsbury and Production Mentor Dean Hewison
