Māsima: Pacific Islands Film Tour kicks off on Thursday, May 18th, with an exciting lineup that highlights acclaimed filmmakers and emerging voices from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
These films, touching on incredible stories of connection, traditions, resistance and much more, are curated and presented by Salt Lake Film Society, Utah Pacific Islands Knowledge 2 Action Resource and Utah Pacific Islands Film Series.
Also on the program are six pre-recorded interviews featuring Māsima 2023 filmmakers, in exciting conversations ranging from art that pushes boundaries and decolonial foodways, to animation, Pasifika culture and celebrating diversity. All conversations moderated by The Island Wave Podcast co-host and producer, Kamaile Tripp-Harris.
Māsima 2023 is part of our annual Cultural Tours, a decade long celebration of history, culture, diversity and heritage of Utah communities.
PANELS
Available Free May 19 - May 24
Māsima 2023 Panel Conversations: Guided by our amazing moderator, Kamaile Tripp-Harris, our Māsima 2023 panel conversations are a true celebration of Pacific Islanders diversity as well as educational experiences that help create awareness and cultural connections within Pasifika filmmakers all around the world.
These FREE pre-recorded panels will be available online at SLFSathome.org. Available thru May 24.
Pasifika Women Filmmakers Boldly Breaking the Norm
PANEL AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY NOW HERE
Panelists: Gabriella Brayne, Ruby Harris, Jessica Magro, Alice Lolohea.
Moderator: Kamaile Tripp-Harris
Join this group of ground-breaking Pasifika women filmmakers as they discuss what inspires them, how they use their work to promote stories sovereignty and celebrate community, and how they tear down barriers while staying true to their own voices. One of our favorite panel conversations of all times that surely will leave you wanting to follow up on these amazing artists journeys.
Heritage, Community and Land Sovereignty
PANEL AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY NOW HERE
Panelists: Lani Cupchoy, Justin Gerona, Glenda Tuaine, Nancy Thompson, Iara Lee
Moderator: Kamaile Tripp-Harris
From freedom, to land rights to cultural connections and thought-provoking artists, we couldn’t have asked for a more diverse and inclusive conversation. This panel is as much one of a kind as it is a convergence of passion for storytelling in true Māsima Film Tour style.
A Filmmaker’s Journey to Challenge Hawaii’s Colonial Narrative
PANEL AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY NOW HERE
Panelist: Anthony Banua-Simon
Moderator: Kamaile Tripp-Harris
An emotional insight into Anthony Banua-Simon’s journey to establish the connections between colonialism, unethical business and entertainment industry, while threading the story of how Hawai’i has been sold as paradise, while being stolen away from those for whom is their Native and rightful home. An educational, exciting and moving panel discussion, recorded exclusively for Māsima 2023.
Uplifting Storytellers Through Collective Power
PANEL AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY NOW HERE
Panelists: Veialu Aila-Unsworth, Pumehana Cabral, Peter Filimaua, Alexis Si’i, Lauren To’omalatai, Misa Tupou.
Moderator: Kamaile Tripp-Harris
United by Visual Communications, Armed With a Camera Fellowship, this group of emerging Pacific Islanders filmmakers found new ways to uplift their work in the power of collective creation. You can feel the community, support and intimacy through the screen and we guarantee you will leave the conversation lightened and grateful you did not miss it.
There’s No Vanity in Believing in Yourself
PANEL AVAILABLE VIRTUALLY NOW HERE
Panelist: Joshua Leomiti
Moderator: Kamaile Tripp-Harris
“Am I wanting something that isn’t mine or is this mine and I have to fight for it?” This and many other inspiring questions await as we listen to Joshua Leomiti reflect on the challenges of believing in yourself while navigating a complex industry that pushes uniqueness into boxes. In the words of our Production team: “We were smiling through the entire conversation” and we assure you, so will you.
FILM SCHEDULE
Films in theater start Thursday May 18. Some films will be available virtually starting Friday May 19.
Thurs May 18
7 PM
Opening Night Red Carpet Event
Cane Fire
1 hr 30 min
+
Post-screening panel (45 min)
Fri May 19
7 PM
The Voyagers Legacy
10 min
+
We Are Still Here
1 hr 22 min
Sat May 20
7 PM
TAPA: The Cloth that Binds Us
10 min
+
Taonga: An Artist Activist
15 min
+
Call Edith
9 min
+
The Alexander Ball
31 min
Sun May 21
7 PM
Testimony
10 min
+
Māui Adventures: Capturing the Sun
1 min 28 sec
+
WANTOKS: Dance of Resilience in Melanesia
20 min
+
Aloha Soul Food
12 min
Mon May 22
7 PM
Loimata: The Sweetest Tears
1 hr 34 min
+
Post-screening panel (30 min)
This film contains graphic
depictions of sexual
violence and contains
potentially distressing
material.
This film contains graphic
depictions of sexual
violence and contains
potentially distressing
material.
Tues May 23
7 PM
Cane Fire
1 hr 30 min
+
8:30 PM
The Deceiver
23 min 04 sec
+
Post screening Q&A (15 min)
Wed May 24
7 PM
Armed With a Camera Shorts Program
42 min
+
Post screening panel (30 min)
FILMS AND SHORTS
Listed alphabetical by title.
THE ALEXANDER BALL
SATURDAY, MAY 20 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF SHORTS PROGRAM 1 ON SATURDAY MAY 20
31 min | 2022 | Australia | Not Rated | English | Short
Directed by Jessica Magro
An observational documentary celebrating Sāmoan-Māori-Australian trans woman of color, Ella Ganza, and the Meanjin ballroom scene, as she and her ballroom family prepare for one of the biggest pride events of the year: The Alexander Ball.
ALOHA SOUL FOOD
SUNDAY, MAY 21 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF SHORTS PROGRAM 2 ON SUNDAY MAY 21
12 min | 2022 | USA | Not Rated | English | Short
Directed by Lani Cupchoy
Merging personal memoir and photojournalism, Aloha Soul Food nostalgically explores decolonial foodways through the family life stories of six Pacific Island women. Set in Los Angeles, California, the documentary embodies an intergenerational love story to working class women deeply rooted in Hawaii while skillfully examining a century of how they navigated through the Chinese exclusion Acts, the overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom, 1960s school cafeterias, the United Public Workers Strike in 1979, and the Women’s Army Core. The film shows how generations can reclaim identity and historical spaces through recipes while reminding us of the deep ties that bind our families and communities together.
ARMED WITH A CAMERA SHORTS PROGRAM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF ARMED WITH A CAMERA SHORTS PROGRAM ON WEDNESDAY MAY 24 WITH A PANEL FOLLOWING THE SCREENING
A collection of short films directed by the first all-Pacific Islander cohort from Visual Communications, Armed With a Camera Fellowship, seeking to support artists who are committed to empowering communities and challenging perspectives through their creative works.
ARMED WITH A CAMERA SHORTS 2023
Snack
Dir. Lauren To’omalatai
Butterfly/Bataplai
Dir. Veialu Aila-Unsworth
Tala’s Bedtime Story
Dir. Peter Filimaua
Ka Aumeume/Navigating
Home
Dir. Pumehana Cabral
My Brother
Dir. Misa Tupou
More Bounce
Dir. Alexis Si’i
CALL EDITH
SATURDAY, MAY 20 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF SHORTS PROGRAM 1 ON SATURDAY MAY 20
9 min | 2021 | New Zealand | Not Rated | English, Hawaiian | Feature Documentary
Directed by Ruby Harris and Gabriella Brayne
A short documentary about Edith Amituanai, a Sāmoan photographer who photographs and works with rangatahi in Waitākere, Tāmaki Makaurau. ‘Call Edith’ is an honest kōrero around the politics of documentary photography, cherishing those crack-up moments and knowing your intentions when creating art in a community.
CANE FIRE
THURSDAY, MAY 18 & TUESDAY, MAY 23 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS THE OPENING NIGHT FILM ON THURSDAY MAY 18, AND WITH THE DECEIVER ON TUESDAY MAY 23
90 min | 2020 | USA | Not Rated | English, Hawaiian | Feature Documentary
Directed by Anthony Banua-Simon
Cane Fire examines the past and present of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, interweaving four generations of family history, numerous Hollywood productions, and troves of found footage to create a kaleidoscopic portrait of the economic and cultural forces that have cast Indigenous and working-class residents as “extras” in their own story.
THE DECEIVER
TUESDAY, MAY 23 | 8:30 PM
WILL SCREEN AFTER CANE FIRE WITH A PANEL AFTER THE SHORT
23 min | 2023 | Not Rated | English | Short
Directed by Hinano Tekurio Tanielu & Manu Tanielu
When “don’t judge a book by its cover” proves real, a woman stranded in a small town pays the ultimate price for her misjudgment.
LOIMATA: THE SWEETEST TEARS
MONDAY, MAY 22 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN WITH A PANEL AFTER THE FEATURE
94 min | 2020 | New Zealand, Samoa | Not Rated | Samoan, English | Feature Documentary
Directed by Anna Marbrook
This film follows the extraordinary ocean-going waka captain, Lilo Ema Siope on an emotional healing journey in the last months of her life. A finely-crafted compassionate documentary strongly tied to Ema’s Sāmoan culture. It is an intimate exploration of a family shattered by shame working courageously to liberate themselves from the shackles of the past. A journey of courage, tears, laughter and above all, unconditional love.
This film contains graphic depictions of sexual violence and contains potentially distressing material.
MĀUI ADVENTURES: CAPTURING THE SUN
SUNDAY, MAY 21 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF SHORTS PROGRAM 2 ON SUNDAY MAY 21
1 min 28 sec | 2022 | Not Rated | English | Short
Directed by Justin Gerona
When the days are too short for life to survive, a Hawaiian boy fights the sun in order to slow it down and save his people.
TAONGA: AN ARTIST ACTIVIST
SATURDAY, MAY 20 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF SHORTS PROGRAM 1 ON SATURDAY MAY 20
15 min | 2023 | Cook Islands | Not Rated | English | Short
Directed by Glenda Tuaine
Mike’s life story is a journey of art, his connection to artistic expression in all its forms is what wakes him up in the morning and sees him retire to bed late at night. This short documentary seeks to capture Mike’s connection with art and teaching.
TAPA: THE CLOTH THAT BINDS US
SUNDAY, MAY 21 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF SHORTS PROGRAM 2 ON SUNDAY MAY 21
10 min | 2022 | USA | Not Rated | Short
Directed by Nancy Thompson
Through the ancient practice of making tapa, a barkcloth created in the islands of the South Pacific, a young girl finds her way. Born and raised in diaspora, she uses the skills passed down from her mother and grandmother to stay tethered and grounded to her Pasifika culture while living in a foreign land. The adaptation of the core values of this tapa making process into her daily life allows her to always find her way back home.
TESTIMONY
SATURDAY, MAY 20 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF SHORTS PROGRAM 1 ON SATURDAY MAY 20
10 min | 2023 | New Zealand | Not Rated | Short
Directed by Alice Lolohea
Forty-five years after his parents were wrongfully imprisoned for overstaying, a Tongan New Zealander finally admits the painful truth behind what really happened to his family during the Dawn Raids.
THE VOYAGER'S LEGACY
FRIDAY, MAY 19 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN WITH WE ARE STILL HERE ON FRIDAY MAY 19
10 min | 2022 | New Zealand | Not Rated | Short
Directed by Bailey Poching
The Dawn Raids of 1974-76 were a time when the New Zealand Police were instructed by the government to enter homes and/or stop people on the street and ask for permits, visas, passports – anything that proved a person’s right to be in the country. This blunt instrument was applied almost exclusively to Pacific Islanders, despite the bulk of overstayers at the time being from Europe or North America. Dr Melani Anae describes these raids as ‘the most blatantly racist attack on Pacific peoples by the New Zealand government in New Zealand’s history.
WANTOKS: DANCE OF RESILIENCE IN MELANESIA
SUNDAY, MAY 21 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN AS PART OF SHORTS PROGRAM 2 ON SUNDAY MAY 21
20 min | 2019 | Papua New Guinea | Not Rated | Short
Directed by Lara Lee
In 2018 the Solomon Islands, in the South Pacific, hosted the Melanesian Arts & Cultural Festival, celebrating the country’s 40th anniversary of independence. On neighboring island states, the struggle for freedom continues, as West Papua resists Indonesian occupation and the residents of New Caledonia still live under French rule. In all Melanesian countries, residents face the common challenge of climate change, as rising sea levels threaten to swallow both land and tradition. In this charged context, captivating performers are using their talents to celebrate local culture and draw international attention to their islands’ plight, with the hope of spurring international solidarity and prompting collective action against the perils of a warming world.
WE ARE STILL HERE
FRIDAY, MAY 19 | 7 PM
WILL SCREEN WITH THE VOYAGER’S LEGACY ON FRIDAY MAY 19
82 min | 2022 | Australia, New Zealand | Not Rated | Maori, Samoan, English | Feature Narrative
Directed by Beck Cole, Dena Curtis, Tracey Rigney, Danielle MacLean, Tim Worrall, Renae Maihi, Miki Magasiva, Mario Gaoa, Richard Curtis, and Chantelle Burgoyne
Australian-New Zealand anthology film created as a response to the 250th anniversary of the Second voyage of James Cook to Australia in 1772, the project consists of ten linked short films by each of ten Indigenous Australian and Māori filmmakers about the impact of settler colonialism on the region’s indigenous cultures. The films span a range of approaches including historical war drama, futuristic speculative fiction and animation.
