Celebrating Fijian Cinema – Film Fiji Supports Alliance Française’s Fijian Movie Night
20 October 2025
From September 11th to 13th, the Suva International Short Film Festival brought together filmmakers, students, and audiences to celebrate storytelling, creativity, and local talent at the University of the South Pacific’s Oceania Pavilion. Supported by Film Fiji, the three-day festival showcased the incredible depth and diversity of Fiji’s film industry.
Celebrating Fijian Storytelling
Day One of the festival featured 13 short films by Fijian filmmakers, each telling unique stories that reflect Fiji’s culture, identity, and evolving creative landscape. The lineup included:
- Takoso by Epi Vuruna
- Haunting Echoes by Chandani Garana
- Na Domo Ni Veisau by Tehillati Shalom
- The Last Chance by Alena Ravuka
- Ratu Na Veli by Lemeki Waqarua & Blair Robertson
- Single-Handed Sailing: Australia to Fiji by Hendrik De Jong
- The Stone of Success by Chandani Garana
- Lutunasobasoba by Iosefo Narovi Biroki
- First Hit by Ratu Inia Qoli
- The Feeding by Adi Tulia Nacola
- Radini by Salote Cama
- Bubu Belo by Adi Tulia Nacola
From supernatural tales and horror shorts to heartfelt dramas and cultural retellings, the selection showcased the diversity of Fiji’s cinematic voices.
Day Two – Pacific Film Night
Day Two celebrated storytelling across the wider Pacific, with films from Samoa, Hawai‘i, Aotearoa, and beyond. The lineup included:
- Woven by Dr. Vilsoni Hereniko
- Oceanbone by Lani Cupchoy
- KUI by Kahu Kaiha
- Guma Higgai – The Healing of Our Canoe House by Sylvia Frain & Sheila Babauta
- Puti by Louisa Tipene Opetaia
- The Arrangements by Gerard Elmore
- Molokai Bound by Alika Tengan
- Find Where I Belong by Kahu Kaiha
- E Mālama Pono, Willy Boy by Scott W. Kekama Amona
- The Queen’s Flowers by Ciara Lacy
This night highlighted the richness of Pacific storytelling and its shared themes of heritage, resilience, and connection to land and ocean.
Day Three – Global Indigenous Film Night
In collaboration with Reciprocity Project, Nia Tero, and Rako Pacifica, Day Three featured films by Indigenous storytellers from across the globe — from Fiji and Rotuma to the Americas, Africa, and the Arctic. The lineup included:
- Vakaraitaka by Fenton Lutunatabua
- Ma naye ka Masaala a se ka Wmetti (From God to Man) by Lansana Mansaray with Ibrahim Sorious Samura, and Samuel Kargbo (Limba)
- Tentsitéwahkwe by Katsitsionni Fox (Mohawk) with Xochitl Fox (Mexica/Azteca)
- TAYAL FOREST CLUB by Laha Mebow with Limuy Asien (Atayal)
- Tahanaanooku’ by Justin Deegan (Arikara, Oglala, and Hunkpapa) with Jennifer Martel (Cheyenne)
- ENCHUKUNOTO (The Return) by Laissa Malih with John Ole Tingoi (Maasai)
- ARMEA by Letila Mitchell (Rotuman) with Rotuman Women’s Weaving Collective & Iane Tavo (Rotuman)
- ÁHKUIN by Radio–JusSunná / Sunná Nousuniemi (Sámi) & Guhtur Niillas Rita Duomis / Tuomas Kumpulainen with Ánna Juyrgi Sáárá–Máárjá / Saara–Maria Salonen
Global Indigenous Film Night offered audiences a glimpse into the interconnectedness of Indigenous experiences and the universal power of film to preserve culture, identity, and ancestral knowledge.
Empowering the Next Generation of Filmmakers
The Suva International Short Film Festival serves as an important platform for local filmmakers to share their work, exchange ideas, and gain recognition within the wider Pacific creative community. It also provides an avenue for new voices to emerge — offering audiences a glimpse into the authentic stories and experiences that define Fiji’s modern creative identity.
Film Fiji’s ongoing support for the festival reflects its commitment to nurturing local talent, encouraging creative collaboration, and building Fiji’s reputation as a dynamic hub for film production and storytelling. By empowering filmmakers and supporting platforms like the Suva International Short Film Festival, Film Fiji continues to champion a thriving, self-sustaining Fijian film industry.
