Māoriland’s E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Challenge is open for 2020/21 with rangatahi aged 12 – 24 encouraged to tell their stories through film. “It’s an opportunity for rangatahi to give filmmaking a try, to express their ideas – what they care about, what it means to be them in a creative way”, says Māoriland’s Kaiwhakahau Hōtaka, Madeleine de Young. 

Rangatahi are challenged to make short films up to five minutes long in response to one of E Tū Whānau’s six values; aroha, whanaungatanga, whakapapa, mana manaaki, kōrero awhi and tikanga. 

The E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Challenge is a Māoriland kaupapa presented with support from E Tū Whānau. 

E Tū Whānau is a movement for positive change developed by Māori for Māori. E Tū Whānau encourages rangatahi and their whānau to take responsibility and action in their communities so that collectively, all can thrive. Rangatahi participating in the challenge must use one of E Tū Whānau’s six core values to inspire their film; aroha, whakapapa, whanaungatanga, tikana, mana manaaki and kōrero awhi. 

Entries to the challenge go in the draw to win one of six craft awards recognising skill in storytelling, editing, performance, camera skills and use of theme. Shortlisted films will then screen at the Māoriland Film Festival in 2021 where award winners will receive up to $1000 each in cash and prizes. 

Rangatahi keen to give filmmaking a go are encouraged to attend an E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Filmmaking Workshop. These workshops will be held across Aotearoa from October onwards and are led by Ngā Pakiaka, a roopu of rangatahi filmmakers. In these workshops, rangatahi work collaboratively to complete a short film in just two days. The first workshop will be held as part of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival from October 6 -7. All workshops are free to attend and for rangatahi of all skill levels. 

The E Tū Whānau Rangatahi Film Challenge is in its 8th year. Entries close February 28, 2021. Award-winning films will be celebrated at the annual Rangatahi Film Awards on March 25, 2021.