Koko - short film

"KOKO" - A Journey of Love, Loss, and Triumph

Kia ore e te whānau, friends, and family.

We invite you to join us on an extraordinary journey - a cinematic exploration of love, loss, and triumph in the face of adversity. "KOKO" is more than just a short film; it's a deeply personal narrative that reflects the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of connection.

Every donation can also be claimed as a tax credit. Every donation counts.

Why We Need Your Support:

Creating a film of this magnitude requires resources, dedication, and passion. Your support will enable us to bring "KOKO" to life with the highest level of authenticity and emotional depth. From securing talented actors and crew members to covering production costs and post-production expenses, every contribution plays a crucial role in shaping our vision.

Moreover, "KOKO" is not just a film; it's a platform for meaningful storytelling and cultural representation. By supporting our project, you're not only investing in the arts but also championing diverse voices and narratives that deserve to be heard.

How You Can Help:

Your involvement is paramount to the success of our crowdfunding campaign. Whether you choose to contribute financially, spread the word about our project, or simply share your enthusiasm for storytelling, your actions make a difference. Together, we can amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and celebrate the richness of Māori culture on screen.

Join Us:

As we embark on this cinematic journey, we invite you to become a part of our filmmaking family. Together, we can honour the legacy of resilience, love, and hope that defines "KOKO" and inspire audiences around the world with its profound message of strength and redemption.

Thank you for your belief in the power of storytelling and your commitment to creating positive change through art.

OUR STORY

"KOKO" follows the life of a young Māori boy named KOKO, who navigates the complexities of growing up under the guidance of his beloved Uncle Tux. Through a series of flashbacks and present-day scenes, we witness KOKO's journey from a frightened child to a determined young man with dreams of swimming at the Olympics. As KOKO grapples with the loss of his parents and finds solace in the waters of his homeland, he discovers the true meaning of family, love, and belonging. With the unwavering support of Uncle Tux, KOKO embarks on a path of self-discovery, courageously confronting his fears and embracing his identity as a swimmer.

ACTORS

Tux Surverne playing Uncle TUX

Ko Tongariro te maunga

Ko Taupō te Moana

Ko Tuwharetoa te Iwi

Ko te Arawa te Waka

Ko te Heuhue te tangata

Ko Poukura te marae

Ko Parekawa te hapu

Kia ora ko Takiwa toku ingoa everyone knows me as Tux,

I've traveled around the world playing sports and making music. I played my last game of Rugby for a French Club and then decided to come home around 5 years ago. Finding myself back home I settled into skiing on the maunga Ruapehu and getting back into hunting in the ngahere and collecting kaimoana from the Tangaroa’s domain.

I grew up in Tuwharetoa lands but i also got to visit my dads whānau from Tuhoe country in the small village of Omio on the East Coast, during the weekends and school holidays.  Here koro and dad would teach about the Maramataka, the moon cycle which is connected to the natural world. The holidays were a time where tikanga relating to plants, flowers, and kai, where to find the best kina, mussels and how to catch koura with my hands. They would teach me how to read rips, how to tell the tides, where was safe to dive, and how to be under water for a very long time. I've always felt a connection to the water.

So now I dedicate my life to surfing, making music and forming the band Lost Tribe Aotearoa with my cousins and some others who mostly reside in Raglan. 

I find myself today surfing and connecting with other surfers who feel this same connection that runs deeper than just the act of surfing.

I approach surfing these breaks like a marae with respect to their rangatira and the kaitiaki who protect and care for these taonga.

Koko played by 3 aged people -

Uenuku Te Huki - 3 year old.

• 8-12 year old

ABOUT THE TEAM

Mumu Moore - Writer and Director/Producer

Ko Mauao te Maunga, ko Tauranga te Moana, ko Ngai Tukairangi te Hapu, ko Te Rangihouhiri te Rangatira, ko Ngāi te Rangi te Iwi, ko Pākehā.

Mumu (Will) Moore was born on the hills of Pōneke, is a versatile artist with a profound connection to his roots and a commitment to community engagement. His creative journey spans various art forms, including writing, art, and filmmaking, where he skillfully employs storytelling and cultural practices to craft emotionally resonant works.

This multifaceted approach allows him to express his identity and heritage across diverse artistic mediums, strengthening his ties to whakapapa and culture. In addition to his creative endeavours, Mumu shares his expertise in meditation, Taonga Pūoro, and yoga, fostering a sense of mindfulness and well-being in others.

For the past two decades, Mumu has been a prolific writer, producing poetry, short stories, prose, and scripts, including a feature-length one. Through this creative output, he connects with fellow creatives across the Oceans of Kiwa, uniting in a shared vision to push the boundaries of his Māori and Pākehā cultures. Mumu's storytelling passion is driven by his close-knit community, where he lives, works, and plays.

He believes that the world thirsts for stories that harmonise the material and spiritual realms, nurturing positive change in our society, environment, and spirituality.

Mumu's artistic journey commenced in 2004 with music video production, expanding to encompass films, advertisements, music videos, and documentaries. In 2007, the birth of his first child sparked a profound shift in perspective, deepening his commitment to a life intertwined with people and nature, evident in his creative expressions.

Balancing parenthood with his artistic pursuits, Mumu raised his children while continuously evolving as an artist, finding writing as a conduit for his dreams and ancestral connections.

Mumu Moore's artistic journey is a testament to the power of creative expression in forging connections, nurturing heritage, and promoting positive change within communities. 

Timothy Firkin - Director of Photography

Timothy Firkin is an Aotearoa-born Māori documentary filmmaker, with over 15 years of expertise as a Producer/Director/DOP and Edit Specialist both domestically and internationally who has a strong commitment and vision to create purpose-driven stories, narratives that seek to preserve and highlight indigenous wisdom, knowledge, and contribute to positive social, environmental change.

His extensive portfolio includes directing, shooting, and editing two seasons of an international wildlife conservation television series in South America and Southeast Asia, and independently producing a feature documentary on the traditions of the Shipibo tribal group in the upper Amazon, Peru - among other noteworthy projects abroad.

On the domestic front, Timothy has independently produced several impactful environmental documentaries that have not only toured the nation but have also yielded substantial and measurable positive outcomes for the natural world. His collaborative efforts as a DOP, video editor extend to crafting local indigenous content for reputable shows such as Waka Huia, Te Hokinga Mai, AKE AKE AKE, Stolen Lands, The Hui, Marae DIY, and various Whakaata Māori productions. He has also made significant contributions to notable films like the award winning documentary feature "Whetū Mārama -Bright Star", and provided valuable material for esteemed art installations, including Lisa Reihana's permanent exhibition, "Ihi", at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.

Timothy Firkin's passion for visual storytelling is underscored by his belief in its unparalleled capacity to reflect and explore the incredible breadth, diversity of the human experience.

Hannah Ruth - Costumer Designer & project supervisor. 

Born and bred in Taupō Nui-a-Tia, Hannah moved to Tamaki Mākaurau after finishing high school to attend University but diverted course after discovering a “Diploma in Costume” existed, this was the beginning of a career journey now spanning 18 year’s in the film/tv/theatre/live performance industry. As a qualified and experienced costume technician, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Production Design and Management and has worked tirelessly to hone her costume craft and navigate working in the industry full-time. This journey has led to collaborating with some of NZ’s top creatives across all departments, training under & supporting the best Costumiers in Aotearoa, working on a mixture of local and international projects, including travel overseas and a feature film in Sydney. Hannah has always had a hungry appetite to create, share learn, interpret, design & make. The art of storytelling is a diverse and challenging undertaking, she uses the medium of costume to support this process. Passing the kete of knowledge gained onto the next generation through teaching and mentoring is also an ingrained passion. Hannah has a strong belief and hearty work ethic of energy towards producing local content, and that this pathway is one which should be open for our future creatives as we all navigate toward at yet unknown future. 

Paascalino Schaller - Drone Operator and Camera Assist.

Paul Wedel - Editor

Mara TK - Sound design and music

WHAT YOUR DONATIONS WILL GO TOWARDS

Your donations will directly support the creation of our short film in numerous impactful ways:

1. Production Expenses: Your contributions will go towards essential production costs such as equipment rental, location fees, and transportation for cast and crew.
2. Talent Compensation: We believe in fair compensation for the talented individuals involved in bringing this project to life, including actors, directors, and crew members.
3. Post-Production: Your donations will assist in funding the editing, sound design, color grading, and other post-production processes necessary to polish the film to its fullest potential.
4. Film Festival Submissions: We aim to share our story with a wide audience by submitting to various film festivals. Your support will help cover submission fees and promotional materials to increase our chances of success.
5. Outreach and Promotion: With your help, we can reach a broader audience through targeted marketing efforts, including social media advertising, press releases, and promotional events.
6. Impactful Storytelling: Most importantly, your donations will enable us to bring meaningful stories to life, sparking conversations, raising awareness, and inspiring positive change in our community and beyond.

Your generosity will play a crucial role in the success of our project, and we deeply appreciate your support in making this film a reality.