Who's Involved

This project brings together creative young people from across our community, including:

• Ōpōtiki Rangatahi Pā

• Maraenui Mic'd Up

• Local kura

• Supportive whānau, volunteers, and community members

Everyone has something to contribute, whether that's acting, directing, filming, editing, writing, designing props, or simply cheering the team on.

Why It Matters

This project is about far more than making a short film.

It gives our rangatahi the opportunity to:

• Develop storytelling and creative thinking skills.

• Learn practical filmmaking and media production.

• Explore acting, directing, writing, editing, sound, and camera work.

• Build confidence through teamwork and leadership.

• Celebrate local stories, places, and people.

• Create something they're genuinely proud of.

Whether someone wants to work in film one day or simply try something new, this is an incredible experience.

Lights. Camera. Kaupapa.

Ngā mihi nui! We're excited to be entering this year's Vista Foundation 48Hours Film Competition with a project centred on our rangatahi, creativity, and community.

Thanks to a scholarship generously provided by Film Bay of Plenty, our team will join filmmakers from across Aotearoa in one of New Zealand's biggest filmmaking challenges.

The Challenge

The 48 Hour Film Project is exactly what it sounds like!

It's exciting, challenging, and a fantastic opportunity to learn by doing.

Once the competition begins, each team receives a mystery film genre and several required story elements. From there, they have just 48 hours to:

• Brainstorm an idea

• Write the script

• Cast the film

• Film every scene

• Submit a completed film (1–5 minutes)

Get Involved

Want to be part of the action?

If your tamariki or rangatahi would like to participate, simply complete the permission form below.

We're also looking for volunteers and equipment to support our teams during the weekend. If you can help with filming, transport, kai, supervision, or have cameras, tripods, microphones or other filmmaking gear to lend, we'd love to hear from you.

The official 48 Hour Film Competition information and rules are also available below for anyone who'd like to learn more about the challenge.

Ngā Mihi

A huge thank you to Film Bay of Plenty for providing our scholarship entry and making this opportunity possible.

We can't wait to see what our tamariki and rangatahi create.