My Brother Mitchell

MY BROTHER MITCHELL, a short film written and directed by Todd Karehana, is inspired by real people, memories and dreams. Join us on this journey as we celebrate Matariki/the M?ori New Year, honouring the dead and celebrating new life. Help to breathe life into this short film about new beginnings.

THE FILM
Set in rural Aotearoa/New Zealand, MY BROTHER MITCHELL follows 8 year-old Todd as he takes his 9 year-old brother Mitchell's t?p?paku (dead body) from the tangi (funeral) to the top of their maunga (mountain). Their grieving mother Alma is left clues by the spirit of her son Mitchell, which leads her on a mystical journey in search of the boys.

BACKGROUND
MY BROTHER MITCHELL is a semi-autobiographical short drama by Todd Karehana that incorporates mystical elements of the divine and explores universal themes around loss, grief, spirituality, the strength of aroha (love) and whanaungatanga (family connection) through tragedy. All set against beautiful landscapes in Aotearoa.

THE TARGET
In order for us to make the best film possible, we are campaigning to raise $7,000, which will comprise part of our production budget. This will enable us to pay for props and costumes, location and accommodation fees, equipment, a small koha (monetary gift) to our cast and crew, and contributions to catering.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?
We'd love for you to join us on this journey to bring this beautiful story to life. Your contributions will allow us to commence production in August, with our shoot currently scheduled for early September.

We would greatly appreciate your support by donating to our campaign! All donors will be kept up to date on the project throughout development and production. Additionally, in recognition of your valued support, donors will be acknowledged in the films closing credits. Donations made by NZ income earners qualify for a 33% tax credit from the IRD with a receipt provided by The Arts Foundation. That means if you donate $100 that you earnt in NZ, you can claim $33 back from IRD. 

Boosted is an all or nothing crowdfunding platform, which means that if we don't reach our target, the donations are returned to the donors. Please support us in reaching our goal so we can make a beautiful and meaningful film that we'll all be proud of.

N? reira, he mihi maioha, he mihi mahana, he mihi aroha ki ? t?tou katoa.

Tihei mauri ora!

THE TEAM
Todd Karehana (Ng?ti Awa, Ng?ti Ruapani, Te Arawa, Ng?i Te Rangi, Ng?ti Ranginui) is a filmmaker from Kawerau. He has written, directed and produced three short films; E OHO; THE KWEENZ OF KELSTON; and most recently THE SPECTACULAR IMAGINATION OF THE POHARA BROTHERS which won multiple awards at the 2016 Wairoa Maori Film Festival. The film, shot in Kawerau, features Whirimako Black and follows two brothers as they try to raise money for their mother's power bill. Todd graduated from The University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), specialising in Screen production, and is currently undertaking a Master of Arts, specialising in Drama Directing.

Mia-M?rama Henry-Teirney (Ng?ti Kahu ki Whangaroa, Te R?rawa, Ng?ti Kuri) is an emerging female Producer. Most recently, Mia worked as the intern Producer on Lee Tamahori's MAHANA, and was involved throughout production from final contracting, to the distribution and release of the film, and attended the world premiere at Berlinale Film Festival in February 2016. Mia graduated from Auckland University of Technology with a Bachelor of Business in Management, and has previously worked as the Fresh Shorts Assistant at the New Zealand Film Commission.