Over the weekend we sent our amazing Communications Coordinator Jayda Iole-Pauga to the Pasifika Youth Short Film Awards night held by Poporazzi Productions in the Ātaahua Bay of Plenty region. Trow group sponsored the Peoples Choice award for 2022 and was so proud and excited to give them the spotlight to shine in their success which is so well deserved.

As Jayda took the stage on behalf of Trow Group she began by acknowledging what a beautiful thing it is to look around the room and see so many talented, wise, and grounded indigenous creatives – They are setting real examples for their families and for their futures. A True definition of Brown excellence. Our winner of the Peoples Choice Award 2022 was: Desmond Mafile’o a proud and humble Tongan filmmaker from Rotorua Boys High. His short film “3 Skuxx Kasini come to New Zealand”. Desmond received a Filmmakers package to continue his filmmaking endeavors as well as a PS5 and a beautiful Alofa Trophy. Desmond also won the ‘Best Actress Award’ making him one of the night’s showstoppers, other big congratulations to you, the talent is real indeed!!

For our Pasifika youth to be able to articulate ideas woven in creativity is one thing but then also seeing them do this by incorporating their heritage and lineage is another. Being able to thank our ancestors for laying the foundation for us Pasifika to be creative in communicating what makes our cultures beautiful, is the overall magic.

A massive congratulations to Poporazzi Productions for facilitating the workshops and organising this wonderful evening to celebrate our youth. Congratulations also to the prime Sponsor Ministry of Education as well as the other category sponsors alongside us as well. Everyone did amazing and I’m sure we are all counting down the days till the next.

“Building the Future, Restoring the Past”

Photo credit: Raymond Sagapolutele