Unitec students' short films highlights South Auckland artistic talent
Three shorts films from Unitec's School of Creative Industries students highlight the wealth of talent emerging from South Auckland
21 February 2023
A private screening of "The Last Sunday", a Unitec School of Creative Industries grad film was held for friends and families of the cast and crew before it hits the film festival circuit, Unitec kaimahi, leaders and film industry/arts community guests were also in attendance at the Mangere Arts Centre on Saturday 11 February. The occasion was a celebration of Pasifika filmmaking in South Auckland with three iconic Pasifika short films by Sima Urale, Popo Lilo and Villa Junior Lemanu screening alongside The Last Sunday. Unitec and Manukau Institute of Technology executive director Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga spoke of the wealth of artistic talent in South Auckland and the contribution of Pasifika people to New Zealand’s overseas success in the arts and entertainment industries. Head of Unitec School of Creative Industries, Vanessa Byrnes highlighted the importance and value of Pacific storytelling and Unitec's commitment to nurturing those creative pathways. The Last Sunday's writer/director, Saito Lilo paid homage to his family, cast and crew, Unitec and South Auckland filmmakers for inspiring him to tell this story.
