As a hybrid cluster of schools across Aotearoa New Zealand, we decided that this was the year to curate our own online film festival. We have been part of the Manaiakalani cluster for the last three years. We submitted films and attended the event planned by them to celebrate the creativity of learners across their cluster. We added our movies to their cluster site and learned alongside.
Beginnings
When we first started in 2022, films were supported by facilitators. Over time, as teachers gained skills and confidence. Four years later, we have teachers across a range of schools with growing skills in filmmaking.
2025 Online Film Festival
We took as our theme for the film festival, our cluster whakatauki:
Poipoia te kākano kia puawai | Nurture the seed and it will blossom
The idea of nurturing the talents and creativity of teachers and learners seemed appropriate. The aim was to give people scope to be creative while also highlighting our purpose as a cluster.