Jeremiah Tauamiti - Director 

Jerry is a New Zealand-born Samoan raised in Christchurch. Jerry graduated from the New Zealand Broadcasting School and works as a director and camera operator for national Pasifika programmes, including Tagata Pasifika, Fresh and The Coconet. He is a member of Goodfellas, the team chose six times by Sir Peter Jackson as Wild Card finalists in NZ’s 48 Hours Film Festival. Jerry runs acting and directing workshops with community groups, and founded Pacific Islands film festivals in Melbourne and Tonga.

Karin Williams - Producer

Karin began her career as a journalist on the South Pacific island of Rarotonga and went on to work for broadcast networks in New Zealand and the United States, where she wrote, produced and directed award-winning programming for US and international television. Karin’s independent film projects have screened at festivals around the world. Now based in Aotearoa (New Zealand), Karin continues to champion indigenous stories through her work as an independent producer and development executive.  

Taofia Pelesasa - Writer 

Taofia is an actor and writer from Rotorua in New Zealand’s central North Island, now living in Sydney. His first international performance was with the New Zealand Young Shakespeare Company, performing Antony and Cleopatra at London’s Globe Theatre in 2006. Fia graduated from Auckland’s Unitec School of Performing and Screen Arts with a degree in screen performance, and has appeared in television programs and theatre productions in New Zealand, Australia and Edinburgh. Maria is his third short film script.  

Most Popular Film Award - 2017 PBS Online Film Festival