DEGANZ Members Make Waves at Doc Edge Awards 2023

Congratulations to DEGANZ members Katherine McRae and Blandine Massiet du Biest for winning big at this year’s Doc Edge festival!

Katherine’s Pacific Mother won Best NZ Feature, Editing, and Cinematography, while she took home Best NZ Director. By winning the Best NZ Feature, the film now has the opportunity to qualify for consideration for the 2024 Academy Awards.

The jury commented on the film’s exploration of traditional birthing knowledge and the connection between caring for the planet and nurturing families:

This film took the judges on a beautiful cinematic journey that was hugely emotional and told an empowering conversation with indigenous women front and centre of its telling.

Meanwhile, Bladine’s directorial debut has proven successful with her Best NZ Emerging Filmmaker win. Her feature Frances Hodgkins, Anything but a Still Life also won Best New Zealand Sound. The film retraces the modernist painter’s footsteps, traversing the places she lived and worked and highlighting her dedication to her art.

Both films and two other winners of some of the festival’s key international categories received encore screenings in Auckland over the holiday weekend. The festival is now moving on to its Wellington run. Following the four award sweep, Pacific Mother’s screening and Q&A session with the filmmakers at the Roxy Cinema is sold out.

Well done, Katherine and Blandine, on the wins!

Last updated on 7 June 2023