Hulu Acquires Kiwi Transgender Drama Rūrangi

American on demand service Hulu has picked up the US rights to Kiwi drama Rūrangi, directed by Max Currie (DEGNZ). Currie expressed his joy saying, “Holy cow, we are streaming on Hulu! This is proof the sky’s the limit for New Zealand’s burgeoning trans talent.” The platform will release Rūrangi in June of this year for its American audiences.

UK company Peccadillo Pictures previously acquired the UK rights to the series and plans to release it later this year. For New Zealand audiences, Rūrangi will be available on NEON in May.

Season two of the series is currently in development and the film adaption is on theatrical release in Aotearoa. Rūrangi was closing night film for Sydney’s Mardi Gras Film Festival (Feb 18-March 4) and is currently screening at BFI Flare: London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival in the ‘Hearts’ programme (March 17-28).

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Arahanga Recognised in Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Awards

Congratulations to the recipients of this years Te Aupounamu Māori Screen Excellence Awards. With two time Academy Award nominee Ra Vincent, taking out the $50,000 award, both Julian Arahanga (Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Raukawa), and Puti Puti Rā Simich-Pene, were awarded $10,000. Arahanga was recognised for 30 years’ of industry experience working on a range of productions with some of the world’s most influential filmmakers.

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Haigh Wins Axis Awards for Editing

DEGNZ member and editor Luke Haigh won big at the Axis Awards, the local NZ advertising awards held in March. Luke took home four of the six editing awards given out on the night.

He won Gold for editing on Toyota Hilux Unbreakable Bond, a Silver for editing on Chorus Badnet and two Bronze for editing on Worksafe and BNZ. Congratulations Luke!

 

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The Pinkies are Back Now in Cinemas

The Pinkies are Back is a heart-warming and hilarious feature film, following a group of extraordinary women on their journey to rebuild a dragon-boating team. Edited by DEGNZ board member Francis Glenday, the film is now in cinemas around Aotearoa.

The documentary centres around the dragon boating team, The Pink Dragons – breast cancer survivors who dragon boat for exercise, the challenge and for the sense of community.

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Maramara Raising Funds for Loading Doc Only Human

Director and member Mia Maramara’s project Only Human is part of season 8 of the award-winning Loading Docs initiative. Only Human is an animated short film that asks the question: Is it possible to break up with your family?

They say you can’t choose your family, but can you overcome irreconcilable differences with those you love the most? The youngest daughter of an unconventional Filipino family explores the complexities of communicating across countries, generations and the internet.

Starting with crowdfunding campaigns, Loading Docs has announced eight new short documentaries by eight filmmaking teams. Brought together under the theme of Tūmanako/Hope, Loading Docs invites audiences to get behind the crowdfunding stage by supporting the creation of important Aotearoa stories. In a time of upheaval, filmmakers have opted to make documentary projects with themes that are personal to them.

But first, the filmmakers must raise $3,500 on homegrown website Boosted.org.nz to unlock further funding from Loading Docs. It’s an all or nothing campaign running from today until April 15. If filmmakers don’t raise the funds, the documentary won’t get made. To find out more visit: www.loadingdocs.net/tumanako

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