Sima Urale’s feature film debut, Apron Strings, a parallel story of two families and two cultures set in suburban Otahuhu, has been selected for the Toronto Film Festival.
Director Sima Urale will be in Toronto to introduce the film to audiences, along with actor Scott Wills, writer Shuchi Kothari and producer Rachel Gardner.
The Toronto selection is a huge compliment to everyone involved in the film, and festival audiences and media alike have responded well to the film.
The 33rd Toronto International Film Festival will take place from 4-13 September.
Joshua Williams, aka J Williams, has already made his mark on the international stage as a member of the national champion Prestige hip-hop dancing crew which placed fourth in this year’s World Champs, and was also a member of Dziah who came second two years ago.
Now the 21 year-old Samoan from South Auckland is proving he has the voice to make it big in the music industry – he has already been compared to R&B superstar Chris Brown. Williams has just released his debut single “Blow your mind” which was co-produced by NOX and Illegal Musik’s MC Patriarch.
Music has always been a strong influence for Williams. He has been influenced by a very musical family, with his older sister Lavina Williams being part of the R&B girl group MaVelle in the 90s, and his other sister Emily Williams was second in Australian Idol in 2006.
The best of Pacific fashion will be showcased live on stage in Auckland at the 2008 Westfield Style Pasifika on 5 September.
The iconic fashion event encompasses design, cultural performance and Pacific pride, positioning the Awards as a truly unique New Zealand fashion and performance experience.
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Chief Executive, Dr Colin Tukuitonga says, “This event is a prime example of the Pacific community coming together to focus on foundation-building activities that will make a positive impact on their future. The Ministry is thrilled to support and acknowledge the success of Pacific artists, and to celebrate and promote excellence in Pacific fashion, music and the arts.”
Categories for the show are:
Pasifika Body Art, Traditionally Inspired, Asia Pasifika, Three Piece Collection of Day Wear, Pasifika Hero, Urban Street Wear, Pasifika Menswear, Evening Wear, Bridal and Parent and Child.
Fat Freddys Drop has wrapped up its August Tiki Tour to rave reviews.
The band is currently back in the studio recording its next album, before embarking on its 2008 Album Release Tour around Europe, with gigs planned in Portugal, France, Denmark, England, and Scotland from November.
Artist Joseph Churchward’s work is currently being celebrated in an exhibition titled Letter Man at Te Papa. The title for the exhibition includes pencil sketches, print negatives, photographs and newspaper clippings.
Churchward was born in Samoa in 1933, and during his career as a graphic artist and typesetter, he has created over 570 original typefaces - more than any other individual in the world.
In an increasingly computerised industry, Churchward continues to design fonts, crafting each intricate letter with precision by freehand and spending up to 300 hours on one font.
A biography of Churchward’s life and work is due for release later in 2008.
Former Trinity Roots bass guitarist and vocalist Rio Hunuki-Hemopo has launched his solo career, cutting his first solo release on 12″ vinyl and digital downloads.
Rio wrote and sang the lyrics, played most of the instruments and worked on the arrangements with DJ Fitchie who did the drum programming (beats) and production in Lyall Bay, Wellington.
Growing up in Taumuranui with Ngati Tuwharetoa/Niuean/Scottish links, Rio got his start in music playing country and western and blues on the bass, before moving to Wellington and studying at Wellington Jazz School.
Rio can more lately be spotted working with groups such as Fat Freddys Drop and artists like Hollie Smith in their live shows and tours.
Rio is currently working on material for a full-length album, but in the meantime you can spot him around Wellington playing low key gigs with various bands.
Requiem is choreographed for 20 dancers, and has been staged in Salzburg, Vienna, at the Southbank Centre in London, the ASB Theatre and Aotea Centre in Auckland and the Royal Flemish Opera House in Brussels.
Requiem combines movement, chant and spoken word with striking architectural and lighting elements that invite the audience to participate in a shared experience of what it means to be human and a part of the cycle of nature – of birth, death, and renewal.
As a tribute to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the show included comprised artists from across the Pacific, along with lighting by renowned light artist Helen Todd, Pacific chants and bone flutes.
The Screen Production Incentive Fund (SPIF) has been launched for New Zealand film and television producers, to support the production of New Zealand-driven feature film, television and animation projects with significant funding through private and/or international finance.
A similar scheme, the Producer Offset Scheme, was introduced in Australia last year.
Sione ‘King of Ukulele’ Aleki’s 30 years of performance was celebrated at the recent S3 Pacific Music Awards in Manukau City.
Recognised as the world’s number one ukulele entertainer, Sione received the Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.
“The awards are a fantastic opportunity to honour and celebrate the rich creative talents of our Pacific people. Music and arts not only illustrate Pacific culture and life, they also provide a platform for the economic development of Pacific people,” said Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.
Category winners were:
Te Vaka honoured with the Radio 531pi Best Pacific Group award and the coveted Tui for the S3 Best Pacific Music Album for ‘Olatia’.
Scribe won the NZ Music Commission Best Pacific Male Artist Award for his second album ‘Rhyme Book’. Malo Luafutu (a.k.a. Scribe) was also a co-winner with Tyra Hammond, Aaron Iusitini and Jordan Iusitini for ‘Say It Again’ (published by Mushroom Music) which prevailed in the APRA Best Pacific Song category.
Cydel took out the award for Niu FM Best Pacific Urban Artist for ‘Soul Finder’.
Three Houses Down picked up the Manukau City Council People’s Choice Award for Best Pacific Artist.
Lole won the Counties Manukau District Health Board – Smokefree Best Pacific Female Artist, for ‘The Movement’.
Singer, songwriter and producer Matthew Salapu Faiumu won The Phillip Fuemana Award.
