Māoriland Film Festival
Each year, the world comes to Ōtaki for Māoriland Film Festival.
Held over five days on the Kāpiti Coast, Māoriland Film Festival is one of the world’s leading celebrations of Indigenous cinema — a gathering place for storytelling, creativity, connection and cultural exchange.
Filmmakers, artists, rangatahi, industry leaders and audiences come together from across Aotearoa and around the world to experience a festival that belongs uniquely to Ōtaki.
TĀRIA TAKU MOKO MĀORI KI NGĀ KIRIATA O TE WĀ
EMBED MY NATIVE SOUL IN FILM
Ngā Pou O te Whare o Māoriland
Hou mai koe ki roto i te whare kōrero o Māoriland. Ko tōna tāhuhu ko te iwi, ko te poutāhu ko te mana o te kupu, ko te poutuarongo ko te ira tangata. Kei waenga ko te poutokomanawa o te aroha noa. Ka mutu, ko ngā pou koko ka titi iho ki te whenua ko ēnei:
We bid you entry into our house of stories. The ridgepole is the people, the front post is the authority of the word, the rear post is the essence of our humanity. Between them, we find the support pillar of love. The posts that anchor the corners to the land are these:
KOAKOA
Māoriland celebrates the rise of indigenous cinema. It invites filmmakers from around the world to share their compelling big-screen stories with us, and with each other.
OHOOHO
Māoriland upholds the mana and inspiration of our storytellers. We are guided by our elders, and taught by our children. The festival assists our community to expand their perspectives and to connect with those from other cultures.
MANAAKI
Māoriland is rooted in the traditions and language of the hapū and iwi of Ōtaki. It is our honour to extend manaakitanga to the many visitors to the festival.
KŌTAHITANGA
Māoriland provides a portal to the Indigenous world for ALL people. It assists social cohesion, a sense of pride, and the informed well- being of our community.
Te Hunga Tautoko
MFF2026 is presented with support from
