PISA - Pacific Islands Screen Artists

PISA - Pacific Islands Screen Artists Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from PISA - Pacific Islands Screen Artists, Auckland.

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.

Mālo le soifua, noa’ia ‘e mauri and chuuur brethren! My name is Carmel-Maria Savai’inaea. Sāmoa: Sala’ilua, Faleālupo, S...
22/09/2025

Mālo le soifua, noa’ia ‘e mauri and chuuur brethren! My name is Carmel-Maria Savai’inaea.
Sāmoa: Sala’ilua, Faleālupo, Safotu, Sataoa, Faleasi’u, Apia. Rotuma: Pep’jei and Juju.
From roaming the streets of Central Aukilani, to running the streets of Ōtara Heights *auuu Soufside 274! Ahaaah

I’m a part-time high school teacher, quater-time actor, and full-time shnack attack who officially stepped into the screen world almost 2 years ago.

Shout out to the dynamic sibling duo, Stallone and Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa for giving me my first insight to screen acting through ‘Mama’s Music Box’ and ‘I Got You’. I was already a fan of their prior works, and so to witness their care for their team was a bonus and is what made me look into their mahi with PISA. To my surprise, PISA had a whole ass komiti and members of like-minded and like-hearted visionaries and practitioners who were and are, about our people, our stories and our journeys as we navigate storytelling, storysovereignty and one more story-something word that isn’t coming to mind right now hahah but you get my drift.

Not having any connections to the film industry, I prayed for my feet to land where they’re supposed to and for the right people to come my way to guide me through these beginning stages. When I joined PISA, that’s exactly what I got. 🙏🏽

In the future, I hope to be in a position where I can hold the door to the freakn gate, OPEN just as PISA has done for me. May re$ource$ be released and be accessible. May our stories continue to be told. May our faces be seen, our hearts heard and our indigenous languages prosper. May.Our.Sto.ries.Be.Told! On our terms; and our conditions. May they live on through the generations to come. Amene. ✨️🛶🌊🌺✨️

Be sure to tune into and watch Carmel-Maria starring in ✨

📷

1. Carmel-Maria Savai’inaea
2. On set
3. comedy series
4. cast & crew
5. World Premiere

AUT Virtual Production Studio Tour x PISA 📣Join us for a special PISA tour of AUT’s Virtual Production Stage. Virtual pr...
10/09/2025

AUT Virtual Production Studio Tour x PISA 📣

Join us for a special PISA tour of AUT’s Virtual Production Stage. Virtual production is transforming the way stories are told. For our Pacific screen practitioners - no matter your role in the screen industry - this is a chance to see how technology can expand the way we tell our stories. You might not need it today, but understanding what’s possible now will help you prepare for the future, bringing new creative tools to filmmakers, designers, actors, producers, and beyond.

A special fa’afetai lava to Ali Cowley for helping connect this opportunity with our Pacific community.

🗓️ Wednesday 1st October 2025
⌚️The tour is from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Meet at 10.45 am)

Wilsons Parking 56 Wakefield Street:
https://www.wilsonparking.co.nz/parking-locations/auckland/auckland-cbd/wakefield-street/
Limited street parking is available on St Paul’s Street. Disabled parking is also available.

PISA Meeting area Cnr of 74 Fitzroy Pl & Mayoral Dr, ground floor, AUT WG Building:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fwdE3nKjejFvbAGg8

Please register by filling out this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcXljEldZSJ6Dv9GYNv6rm-N4cnuuwV3yI8iUvq3M-YnvkXw/viewform?usp=header

We will see you there!

Massive Congratulations to Team PISA PISA Ō for entering their film, Simmer, into the Film Competition. You can support...
06/09/2025

Massive Congratulations to Team PISA PISA Ō for entering their film, Simmer, into the Film Competition. You can support our very own PISA members by watching their film and voting for the audience favourite in their heat.

Heat #6
Rating - Family Friendly.
Date/time - Sunday September 7th, 5:30 PM

SIMMER
CAST
Carmel-Maria Savaiinaea - Fetū
Li’amānaia Tupe Lualua - Māsina
Rohan Satyanand - Lagi

CREW
Carmel-Maria Savaiinaea - Unit
Dominic McAlpine - Boom Operator/Writer
Esera Tanoa’i - Camera Operator (Wellington Unit)
Francheska Cassin - Production Assistant/Runner
Hurstle Manuel-Yee - Assistant Editor
Imogen Davies - Art Assist
Katalina Chung - 1st AD/2nd AD/Script Supervisor
Leilani Colenutt - Art Director
Louisa Tipene Opetaia - Producer
Michel Mulipola - Director/Camera Operator/Editor
Onehou Strickland - 1st AD/ Writer
Robert Norman - Writer
Shanna Paese - Camera Operator/Editor

A huge thank you to PISA GM Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa, , and for graciously hosting our PISA team during the weekend shoot.

PISA WINS ✨Congratulations to the whole team of ‘Let’s Settle This’ taking home the GOLD Audience Award at Fantasia and ...
25/08/2025

PISA WINS ✨

Congratulations to the whole team of ‘Let’s Settle This’ taking home the GOLD Audience Award at Fantasia and the Audience Award at over the weekend 🎉

Written & directed by Jack Woon, produced by PISA founders & members Abba-Rose and Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Niu Waves – Feature Film WritersCalling all Pacific Island writers!Are you ready to take your first step into feature fi...
21/08/2025

Niu Waves – Feature Film Writers

Calling all Pacific Island writers!
Are you ready to take your first step into feature film writing?

Niu Waves – Feature Film Writers is a new initiative designed to support Pacific Island writers in Aotearoa to develop their feature film idea and move them one step closer to becoming screenplays. This programme is especially for those who may not have had access to, or experience with, previous feature film screenwriting workshops.

Aim of the initiative
The aim of this initiative is to help you develop your screenwriting toolkit and, in particular, to “break the back of your story idea.” Over the course of five months, you’ll explore, refine, and discover the core of your story - solving its issues, questioning the presence of each element, and strengthening your story’s foundation so that it’s ready for the next stage of development.
You will need to be disciplined and committed to refining your work, keep up with the fortnightly goals you and your mentor set for yourself, and be able to provide feedback on the work of the other writers in your group.

What’s on offer
- A five-month engagement, October 2025 – February 2026.
- Begins with a four-day, in-person workshop in Auckland from October 6-9, 2025.
- Fortnightly check-ins with your group and assigned mentor for the duration of the initiative.
- The programme concludes with a completed treatment of the idea you have submitted - a treatment ready to submit for NZFC Seed funding, pitch to a producer/production company or move into further script development.

Eligibility
- Applicants must be of Pacific Island heritage.
- Applications are Not limited to PISA members
- Applicants must be New Zealand citizens or permanent residents
- Must be able to attend the in person workshop from Mon 6th Oct - Thurs 9th Oct.
- Those who have written for other formats (e.g. television, theatre, short film, web series) but are looking to explore feature film are encouraged to apply.

How to apply
- Fill out this Google Form with your details and to complete your submission:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdTxZpxsT8Fmd-LTdsBaAhzWLyHyannyEWtA88iPO0Dyf1wsQ/viewform?usp=dialog
- Attach a one-page outline (maximum) of the feature film idea you want to develop.
- One paragraph about why you want to be a part of Niu Waves - Feature Film Writing
- Include a CV of your screen/creative arts experience (this can include any creative or storytelling background).

Deadline: 14 September 2025
Recipients announced: 23 September 2025

Travel costs covered for successful applicants based outside of Auckland.

Any questions do not hesitate to reach out [email protected].

PISA WINS ✨Over the weekend, PISA members won awards at Ngā Whanaunga: Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best 2025 in Te Whanganui...
18/08/2025

PISA WINS ✨

Over the weekend, PISA members won awards at Ngā Whanaunga: Aotearoa New Zealand’s Best 2025 in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.

Best Performance was awarded to PISA member Nora Aati for her short film "I Am Not Your Dusky Maiden," 🌟 which she also wrote. The film was directed by PISA KOMITI Vea Mafile’o.

Winner of the Letterboxd Māori & Pasifika Talent Award went to “Picking Crew” 🏆 The film was written and directed by PISA member Tanu Gago. Representing the team that night PISA Member Henry Auva’a who starred in the film.

Congratulations 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Congratulations to all recipients of the Seed & Seed Advanced grants, including two PISA members selected for Seed grant...
10/08/2025

Congratulations to all recipients of the Seed & Seed Advanced grants, including two PISA members selected for Seed grants for Round 1 of 2025 👏🏽👏🏽

PISA Member ✨
Philip S Frost - The Thirteenth Round
In the twelfth round of his final bout, a broken champion is knocked out and wakes up 20 years in the past. Where he must choose between saving his family or fighting for lost love.

PISA Member ✨
Tulia Thompson - Sugar City
When an anorexic Fijian teenager travels home to Lautoka (Sugar City) for the first time, she’s forced to confront her disordered eating and the truth behind her father’s exile.

The judges called it “very, very difficult” to choose – the level of craft in this round was extraordinary. From dazzling new voices to structurally bold storytelling, Aotearoa screenwriters brought their A-game.

- 115 Seed and 27 Seed Advanced eligible applications
- 6 Seed projects and 2 Seed Advanced projects funded

Judges: “What we’re seeing is a real evolution in storytelling… Writers are thinking deeply, daring to take risks, and mastering their tools.”



What a privilege and honour to watch and support PISA member Andrew Ponton’s (Writer/director feature film, and Fiji’s f...
09/08/2025

What a privilege and honour to watch and support PISA member Andrew Ponton’s (Writer/director feature film, and Fiji’s first film in the New Zealand International Film Festival. It was a great screening with lots of the Fiji community there to support. Amazing to hear the Itaukei language on the big screen. Lots of great discussions and compliments of the audience acknowledging the hard work of the entire cast and crew. Great to meet and share with the lead actor James Rabuatoka, he said he wasn’t a boxer but these guys knocked it out of the park for Fiji, another first of many for Pasifika Film these last couple of weeks. Take a bow guys, you deserve all the accolades.

Sa donu vinaka
PISA
themovie 🇫🇯

BATI premieres tomorrow in Auckland for the first time. Catch it at the Hollywood Avondale Cinema and meet the lead acto...
08/08/2025

BATI premieres tomorrow in Auckland for the first time. Catch it at the Hollywood Avondale Cinema and meet the lead actor, James Rabuatoka, who will give a Q&A after the screening.

Written & Directed by PISA member Andrew John Fakaua Ponton ✨

Go and support our Pacific stories! Link to buy tickets:
https://www.nziff.co.nz/2025/tamaki-makaurau-auckland/bati/
themovie

PISA Writers’ Room - Pitch Practice ✅Meitaki ma’ata Aroha Awarau 🙏🏾 Thank you for sharing your knowledge and facilitati...
06/08/2025

PISA Writers’ Room - Pitch Practice ✅

Meitaki ma’ata Aroha Awarau 🙏🏾 Thank you for sharing your knowledge and facilitating the amazing session on effective film pitching last night! Thank you to all the writers who joined us from Auckland, Ashburton, and Fiji. Be on the lookout for the next PISA Writers’ Room coming up soon! ✍🏽

in partnership with & is pleased to announce the eight projects selected to receive development support through the R...
06/08/2025

in partnership with & is pleased to announce the eight projects selected to receive development support through the RNZ PASC PISA Development Fund.

The RNZ PASC PISA Development Fund is a collaborative initiative to address the systemic underrepresentation of Asian and Pacific creatives in Aotearoa’s screen industry. Assessments were made by a panel of experienced practitioners and cultural advisors, with final selections based on creative vision, cultural alignment, platform fit, and long-term potential.

Launched in early 2025, the fund received 67 submissions from across the motu, reflecting the depth, diversity, and creative strength of Pan-Asian and Pacific storytellers in Aotearoa. After a robust multi-phase assessment process, four projects from each representative group have been granted development funding of $20,000 each.

The funding will allow the producers of the selected projects to prepare production funding ready proposals, with RNZ as the supporting platform.

Selected Projects – PISA

Snatched Back – The Niu Wav
(Co-producers Regan Foa’i & Gaby Solomona) .regz

THE PASI-FISTS – Run Charlie Films
(Producers Alex Lovell & Eldon Booth, Writer Alex Liu, Director SAMSON ‘RAMBO’ VAOTU’UA) .xliu

The Chaperone – Where The Aute Blooms
(Producers Mario Faumui & Hope Papali’I)

BE HUMBLE – Ghosthouse Productions
(Producers Crystal Vaega & Lealani Siaosi)

Selected Projects – PASC

Where You Are Really From - Ankita Singh and Bala Murali Shingade

Showdown – Shreya Gejji and Shuchi Kothari

How Not To Be the Bad Guy – A Grain of Rice Productions

Bloodsuckers Anon – MHM Productions

Two additional projects — The Navigators (PISA) and Ad World (PASC) — were highly commended by the panel for further discussions with RNZ.

Congratulations 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Sunday was a wonderful day celebrating Ngā Whanauga: New Zealand’s Best at SkyCity Theatre. Thank you for having PISA th...
04/08/2025

Sunday was a wonderful day celebrating Ngā Whanauga: New Zealand’s Best at SkyCity Theatre. Thank you for having PISA there to celebrate New Zealand International Film Festival

Congratulations to all the short films and the PISA members' films! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

Picking Crew 🎥
Directed & Written by Tanu Gago & Starring Henry Auva’a (PISA Members)

Let’s Settle This 🎥
Directed by Jack Woon
Producers Stallone Vaiaoga-Ioasa & Abba-Rose Vaiaoga-Ioasa (PISA founders & Members)

Puti 🎥
Directed by Aroha Awarau & Producer Louisa Opetaia (PISA Members)

I Am Not Your Dusky Maiden 🎥
Directed by Vea Mafile’o, Written/Produced/Starring Nora Aati,
Executive Producer Karin Williams & Starring Michael Koloi (PISA Members)

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1026

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Our PURPOSE

Support, encourage and promote individuals of Pacific Islands heritage working in the New Zealand Screen sectors at all stages of their journey.

· Faka’apa’apa - Respect Underlying our mission is respect for all screen art disciplines and to see the value in each; but also to show respect to the often overlooked individuals within the strands of each discipline.

· Va’a Tuatua - Advocacy We will be loud and proud while being respectful. We will advocate for our members to ensure that they have a voice within the screen sector where their contributions are acknowledged and respected and the pathways provided not only to exist but to excel in the screen industry.

· Lumana’i fou - New path We will provide opportunities for individuals to improve and learn about their craft. Not simply echoing the paths of those before but finding new ones in an ever changing landscape.