Boosted Stories: Jeremiah Tauamiti

All fifteen projects closed successfully on Thursday 4 November.

In the lead up to the initiative, we chatted to filmmaker, screen artist and Boosted alumni Jeremiah Tauamiti, who had some words of advice about crowdfunding for newcomers to Boosted. We’ll start with a simple message from him:

“Do it. You literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

Jeremiah made his writer/director debut with his short film 'Liliu', funded through Boosted in 2019. The film has since screened at multiple international film festivals and has won several awards. As we built up to the Boosted X Moana launch, Jeremiah kindly sat down with us to talk inspiration, creative process and cultural heritage in the arts of Aotearoa.

Talofa lava, Jeremiah. 
Fa’afetai lava for taking the time to speak with us.

You have created a very impressive selection of films in the past, one of which – 'Liliu' – (we are very proud to say) was funded through Boosted. Tell us about your crowdfunding experience.

Deciding to crowdfund was an interesting process. At first, putting out a request to your peers who may be struggling themselves seemed to have a certain kind of shame factor to it. Part of you doesn't want to be a burden by asking for a hand. Being an artist (as we all know) can be damn hard and on top of that, being Pasifika, asking for help isn't something that you're used to.

However, the support came from artists that we knew and didn't know. I guess in hindsight, people understood the struggle and were in a better place to support our project, depending on their own circumstances. It was very humbling to have so many people back us on Boosted. On top of that, reading the messages of support was a big blessing. Through these, there was a real flow on effect, because we instantly felt part of a community.
We didn’t feel alone. That’s a beautiful thing when you're deep in the fight to make your dreams a reality. It was an amazing feeling to surpass our goal. Our team was encouraged to create a film that our donors would be proud of, and I know we did that. 

What’s the biggest lesson that you took away from funding your creative mahi with Boosted?

Humility. People are out there who want to support you, so don't be afraid to ask for help. There's no shame in it. 

Got any words of wisdom for other artists?

Do it. You literally have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Put some time and effort into your video and also some thought in to the amount you're asking for, so people see your target and aren't put off. Also, put some context around the amount you're asking for. Most of all, prove that you're worth it. 

Tell us about the driving forces that compel you to tell your stories through film.

Vea (my partner) and I are very much from a generation of self-discovery. At a time, when the world seems to be closing in, it sometimes feels like self-determination is a concept that goes against the tide. However, I believe it to be more important than ever before. Whether that be Aotearoa standing on its own feet by supporting our local makers and creators, Māori finally being valued as tangata whenua, or south Aucklanders fighting against the constant stigma placed on them by media, there is always a time and a place for speaking up and being heard. For me, producing work is about understanding where we come from, so that we know where we're going. I love my culture. Holistically speaking, telling these stories is about making sure our people can move forward, making sure we can be proud of who we are, while presenting to the world who we really are. Film is one of the most powerful mediums to do that, and I never take the power that I have as a storyteller for granted. 

Where, in your opinion, are the Pacific arts situated in the wider Aotearoa arts community at the moment?

I feel like more often than not, Pacific art is seen as an afterthought to the rest of the arts sector. It can be a bit of a ‘tick the box' exercise once our pictures have been used to celebrate diversity or inclusion. However, I don't want us to be included for the sake of being another brown face on a board or an advisory committee. I want to be there because of merit first and foremost.

How can or should the Pacific arts be elevated into focus?

The only way we can really achieve that is if we ditch the labels and not fall into the segregation of who we are as artists. In the art world, I am a writer/director first, and a Samoan second. Obviously our culture informs our art, but it doesn't define us entirely. My voice is completely different to many of my Pacific brothers and sisters who are writers and directors. You can't box in artists like that. I love seeing Pasifika artists being celebrated firstly, by their achievements amongst their creative peers in the arts. Pacific arts can be elevated by calling it art alone. 

Describe your creative process and practice.

It’s survival mode, mostly. Followed by intermittent moments of celebration. Thankfully, the moments of celebration are becoming more frequent, because of the amount of survival work done. I have a family so the bulk of my work is done at night and the early hours of the morning. I’d say, me and moon have become good mates over the years.

Tell us about the proudest moments of your career.

One of my proudest moments would be having a hand in setting up the Nukualofa Film Festival in Tonga. It was kicked off with films we made with all local actors and a crew who had given their heart and soul to these projects. I was extremely proud of the actors in our films. The crew, who are now filmmakers in their own rights are still making content. When the films were finished, we decided to screen them, but Tonga has no cinema. After a lot of hustling, we managed to get a portable screen and for a night, shut down the town. There was popcorn for children and adults, members of the royal family were in attendance and so many locals came into town to watch the films made by us and local filmmakers.

The night was amazing. It was very special and very emotional for me to see young people, but especially elders getting emotional as they were watching and listening to stories that they had grown up to. Being there, with the film team, I was just incredibly grateful. I said a little prayer of thanks.

Lastly, what projects are you currently working on?

I am writing a feature film at the moment, which has been a long time coming. I’m really enjoying the re-writing stage and am also working on a few other projects with fellow artists that we're moulding because of recent global events. I’m still creating, still surviving …. ha! 

His Boosted campaign for the award-winning film 'Liliu' ran in 2019, which tells the compelling story of a young Samoan court interpreter called Solo.

His work is making a mark on the arts and playing a major role in projecting Moana identity onto New Zealand screens.