This is Us

One year on from the fatal Christchurch Mosque attack, a young Muslim man returns to the spotlight to incite real change.

We need your help to tell his important story.

After the attacks we, like many Kiwis, felt hopeless and lost. How can we support our Muslim whanau and continue to encourage conversation and self-reflection after such a horrific event? We decided the way for us to create impact was to use our skills as filmmakers to tell the story of an important member of this community - to amplify his voice in a way that's only possible through documentary.

The Short Documentary

Approaching the one-year commemoration of the tragic shootings in Aotearoa, a former refugee and Muslim steps back into the public eye to make a difference. With growing media attention and an increasingly fractured nation, can he stand up in the face of adversity and speak his truth?

This Is Us has the opportunity to take an intimate look at this pivotal part of our history. But filmmaking isn't cheap! Donate to this project to go on this journey with us. Your contribution will support us in hiring gear and flying our crew across the country as we follow our protagonist in the days leading up to the commemoration. Once we reach our minimum target of $2,500, it will unlock a further $6,000 from Loading Docs.

This Is Us is a short observational documentary backed by a strong and diverse team: Francesca Mackenzie as director with Nicola Bailey and Adorate Mizero as producers. Our project has been selected by Loading Docs 2020, an award-winning short documentary initiative to develop New Zealand filmmaking talent.

This is an all or nothing campaign. If we don't reach our target, this documentary won't get made. So please like, share and donate!

Our key character will remain anonymous until the release of this documentary.

Loading Docs is funded by NZ On Air with support from the New Zealand Film Commission and Te Māngai Pāho. 

About the Filmmakers

Francesca Mackenzie - Director

Francesca is a writer and director who enjoys telling intimate stories set against world-changing obstacles. The ambition of her work is to challenge stereotypes by showcasing diverse characters that are both relatable and aspirational. After graduating from The New Zealand Film School in 2016, Francesca and her partner started a small video production studio, Sonder. In that time she’s written and directed music videos, created a short documentary series for The Akina Foundation, and made a niche for herself producing online videos for social enterprises and sustainable businesses.

Nicola Bailey - Producer

Nicola is an aspiring producer with an established network of contacts in the Wellington filmmaking community. She’s worked on films and TV shows such as the kiwi musical Daffodils, NZ co-production Guns Akimbo and TVNZ’s Wellington Paranormal. Inspired by her Filipino mother and a multi-cultured upbringing, Nicola has always been drawn to stories about integrating into new environments and fresh perspectives that aim to empower NZ's ethnic youth. She also feels strongly about historical and cultural stories of Aotearoa and hopes to use filmmaking as a tool to educate our people.

Adorate Mizero - Producer

Adorate is a creative and advocate who has worked in media, marketing and the nonprofit sector. With a degree in Media, Film & Television, she thrives on written, captured, and onscreen storytelling. Adorate has often passionately explored subjects that deal with racism, marginalisation, identity politics and minority representation. She has spoken on these subjects at public forums and events as well as supporting related research, community projects and initiatives.