Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab
The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab is for Indigenous filmmakers with the aim to create exceptional feature films for local and international audiences.
The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab (MICL) is a Māori-led advanced development programme designed to accelerate Indigenous feature film projects. It supports Māori and Indigenous filmmakers to strengthen their creative vision, develop financing-ready materials, and produce proof-of-concept films through a uniquely Indigenous, globally connected process.
Delivered by the Māoriland Charitable Trust and supported by the New Zealand Film Commission, Minderoo Pictures and the Indigenous Screen Office, the MICL harnesses cultural frameworks, industry mentorship, and international collaboration to prepare Indigenous stories for the global screen stage.
The MICL is for creative teams – writer, director & producer, from Aotearoa NZ, Western Australia and Canada. The writer and director must be Indigenous. It is structured around three connected pou (pillars):
Phase 1: Writers Lab (Pou Tuatahi)
May 18 – July 10, 2026
Eight-week paid writers residency at the Māoriland Hub.
Writers work intensively with advisors and international Indigenous mentors.
Directors and producers participate in some workshops and script refinement.
Outcome: Advanced draft feature film script.
Phase 2: Pitch Packaging (Pou Tuarua)
Teams refine scripts, sharpen pitching skills, and develop visual and creative materials.
Graphic design and producing support ensure each project has a compelling, professional package.
Outcome: Polished pitch deck and budget.
Phase 3: Directors Lab (Pou Tuatoru)
August 3 – 12, 2026
Ten-day immersive directing lab in Ōtaki.
Directors and creative teams rehearse, shoot, and edit a proof-of-concept scene with professional crew.
Supported by acclaimed Indigenous filmmakers and advisors.
Outcome: Proof-of-concept short film/scene.
Participants & Selection
The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab (MICL) is for Indigenous key creative teams – a writer, director, and producer with a feature film project that has already had some development and, is ready to move into advanced development. The MICL aims to support these teams to produce a new draft, hone a clear creative vision, build a high-quality pitch package, and produce a proof-of-concept scene intended to strengthen the opportunities for financing and production of the feature film.
Applications close at 11:59 pm NZT April 3 2026 (extended deadline)
Eligibility Criteria
Teams must consist of a writer, a director and a producer. Participants may hold multiple roles.
You are eligible to apply to the Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab if:
- You are developing a feature film that has undergone some development prior to this application AND
- The writer AND director strongly identify as Indigenous from the following nations: Māori, Pasifika AND reside in New Zealand OR
- The writer AND director strongly identify as Indigenous from Western Australia OR
- The writer AND director are Indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) from Canada
- you are the owner of the rights in the project or have an option to acquire those rights AND
- A writer, director and/or producer who has 80-minutes of cumulative produced scripted content, or has had a short film accepted into one of these listed international festivals, the NZ International Film Festival, Māoriland, Rotorua Indigenous Film Festival or Show Me Shorts, OR a reputable international film festival.
Selection Process
Applicants must submit an application form via Type Form.
Applications will be assessed by the MICL Kāhui, a leadership group of representatives from the NZFC, the Indigenous Screen Office, Australia and Māoriland. Short-listed applicants may be invited to interview as part of the application process.
Assessment will consider:
- The creative strength and originality of the project
- The readiness and capability of the team
- Alignment with kaupapa Māori or/and/or Indigenous storytelling worldview
- The potential for the project to be realised as a feature film
Impact & Outcomes
By the end of the programme, each selected team will have:
- An advanced draft of their feature film script.
- A complete professional pitch package including deck, look book, and budget.
- A proof-of-concept scene to showcase creative vision and attract investment.
Wider impact includes:
- Strengthened capability of Indigenous producers, writers, and directors.
- Increased opportunities for cross-border collaboration between Aotearoa, Canada, and Australia.
- Development of future leaders through teina (less experienced person) observer roles.
Why Māoriland?
Māoriland is uniquely positioned to deliver this kaupapa:
- Global Indigenous networks built over a decade of international collaborations.
- A proven track record in talent development, supporting 20,000+ creatives and rangatahi through programmes such as Ngā Pakiaka and the Māoriland Tech Creative Hub (M.A.T.C.H).
- Award-winning production, programming, and festival delivery experience recognised internationally (Global Screen Award for Social & Economic Impact, Cannes 2025).
The Māoriland Indigenous Co-Lab is a pathway for Indigenous storytellers to create films of cultural depth and international impact. Grounded in a Māori community, strengthened by global Indigenous collaboration, and focused on practical industry outcomes, MICL delivers the tools, networks, and confidence for Indigenous filmmakers to bring their stories to the world.
Ko te pou i whiria
Ko te pou i mārama
Tiaho mai i roto
Mārama mai i roto
Tēnei te pou ka ū
Tēnei te pou ka eke
Tēnei te pou ka māia
Ko te pou o tēnei kaupapa
Hui te ora
Hui te mārama
Hui e …
Taiki e!
Join us
Guide us
May we shine within
May we understand within
We are all pillars of our house
We each have a role,
However big or small
The task compels us
Let there be life
Let there be clarity
Bind us …
It is done!
OTHER PROGRAMS
M.A.T.C.H – The Māoriland Tech Creative Hub
M.A.T.C.H Creative Intensifiers are 12-week workplace training programs for Māori to pathway into the film and creative industries.
A unique opportunity to learn in a kaupapa Māori environment, M.A.T.C.H identifies and supports Māori potential.
Puritia Incubator
The Puritia Incubator (2022-2023) A year-long, intensive production-based training programme for rangatahi Māori to enter the screen industry.
Over 10 Wānanga, Puritia Incubator Participants developed skills in camera, sound, editing, assistant direction, lighting, and production and gained experience on short film sets.
Ngā Pakiaka Incubator Program
The Ngā Pakiaka Incubator Program was developed in 2020 with support from Māoriland Charitable Trust, Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga (New Zealand Film Commission), the Sundance Institute Respond & Reimagine Plan, Department of Post and Indigenous filmmakers worldwide.
Following a competitive selection process, eight projects were “greenlit” Aree Kapa from Te Kao, Bailey Poching from Tāmaki Makaurau, Keeti Ngātai-Melbourne from Te Araroa, her elder sister Tioreore Ngātai-Melbourne, Te Mahara Tamehana from Kaitaia, Tiana Trego-Hall from Mitimiti, Te Waiarangi Ratana from Kirikiriroa and Oriwa Hakaraia from Ōtaki.
Over 18 months, the rangatahi filmmakers received one-on-one mentorship from industry experts and script and craft development workshops. Production was supported by professional crew.
Each film is ambitious and truthful, and all celebrate the types of stories that can be explored when rangatahi are given the freedom to create.
The completed films are screening globally, resonating with audiences and winning awards.
NATIVE Slam
The NATIVE Slam is an international Indigenous collaboration challenge initiated by Māoriland Film Festival in 2016.
Over 72 hours, four teams of 3 Indigenous filmmakers work together to produce a short film to screen at the MFF.
Since 2016, five NATIVE Slams have produced 21 short films and involved 60 Indigenous filmmakers. It has also led to creating strong and enduring filmmaker networks across the Indigenous world.