Devil In the Gat

Your donations will directly support the production of Devil in the Gat, a Māori psychological horror film exploring artistic obsession and supernatural consequences. The funds that we raise will directly support production costs to ensure that we deliver an engaging movie with a high level of polish.

Taniora Ormsby, a Māori filmmaker from Auckland, is a South Seas Film School graduate and award-winning writer/director. His 2022 short film MAHARAHARA won multiple awards, while his latest, THE GREAT SOUTH, has earned “Best Student Short Film” honors at several festivals and screened at the New Zealand International Film Festival.

Vanessa Paraki is a producer dedicated to empowering Māori creatives and advancing indigenous storytelling in Aotearoa. She is currently producing Too White To Tangi, a short film on cultural identity and family, and recently completed work as Production Co-ordinator on Rapido Short Film. With experience in film, TV, and theatre, her career highlights include success at the 2024 RIFF Pitch Slap and on-set roles like 2nd AC, 3rd AD, and Production Coordinator. Guided by industry mentors, Vanessa is passionate about amplifying Māori voices and fostering opportunities for emerging talent.

Te Kohe Tuhaka, a renowned New Zealand Māori actor and producer of Ngāti Porou and Ngāi Tūhoe descent, has made a significant mark in film, television, and stage. He recently starred as Namakeha in Apple TV+’s Chief of War and Waka Nuku Rau in AMC Shudder’s The Dead Lands. His film credits include Great White, Koka, Mahana, Monster Problems, and The Dead Lands. On TV, he appeared in Shortland Street, Find Me a Māori Bride, The Kick, and Dead Ahead. Te Kohe is deeply committed to te reo Māori, showcased in roles on Māori Television and presenting work. As a producer, he has worked on The Convert and award winning short Maunga Cassino,

Orlando Stewart is known for his mockumentary roles, including Wayne Anderson and Rural Drift, which he wrote and starred in, blending himself with quirky characters. He directed the 2015 documentary Sonics from Scratch about artist Philip Dadson and co-directed the award-winning series When Bob Came. As a producer, his credits include the rural drama Bellbird and the thriller The Rule of Jenny Pen

🎥 Gear Hire – High-quality camera and lighting equipment to capture the eerie and surreal tone of the film.
🎭 Art Department – Creating an authentic, atmospheric nightclub setting that feels timeless and unsettling.
🎸 Music Rights & Original Score – Licensing traditional waiata and collaborating with local musicians for an original soundtrack.
🍽 Crew & Cast Catering – Ensuring our hardworking team stays fed and energized during long shoot days.
📍 Location Hire & Filming Permits – Securing the perfect location that enhances the film’s visual storytelling.
🩸 Practical Special Effects & Makeup – Bringing supernatural horror elements to life through practical, high-quality effects.

By supporting this project, you’re helping us bring a uniquely Māori horror film to life—one that blends traditional storytelling with thrilling psychological horror.

Breaking into an industry that favors experience over emerging talent is tough. After countless rejections, it’s easy to feel unworthy. DEVIL IN THE GAT explores the struggle of holding onto your voice and hope amid industry cynicism—reflecting my own journey as a creative. Realizing others share this frustration drove me to make a film that amplifies those unheard voices, something I’ve always strived for as a writer.

Beyond the creative struggle, I wanted to explore my culture by incorporating Te Reo Māori dialogue and weaving Māori history and mythology into horror. By reimagining familiar Western horror tropes through Indigenous kaupapa and tikanga, I aimed to create something truly unique: a Māori horror film. This fresh approach will help the film stand out while contributing to the growth of Māori genre cinema. The more we tell stories in horror, westerns, or sci-fi, the more Māori representation will shift from being “unique and diverse” to “normal and expected”—a future I’m eager to see.

Why Devil in the Gat Needs to Be Experienced

This film is a bold fusion of Māori mythology and psychological horror, offering a fresh, culturally rich perspective rarely seen in cinema. It speaks to the struggles of emerging creatives, exploring ambition, sacrifice, and the price of success. By blending Western horror tropes with Te Ao Māori, it redefines indigenous storytelling and pushes genre boundaries.

Why the Community Should Back It

Backing Devil in the Gat supports Māori voices in genre filmmaking, normalizing indigenous representation beyond historical and drama pieces. With a Māori-led team and cultural authenticity at its core, this project paves the way for future filmmakers and strengthens the presence of Māori storytelling in global cinema.