Four Pacific countries have been selected to host teams contesting the inaugural Pasifika On Air POP48 Film Challenge.
By Michelle Curran
Executive Communications Manager, Pasifika TV/PCBL
Four Pacific countries are set to go head-to-head, hosting the inaugural People of the Pasifika 48hr (POP48) Film Challenge.
Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands have been selected as host countries, where storytellers will work out of venues, provided by local broadcasters to produce a film in just 48 hours, in September.
The local broadcasters selected to provide venues are Pacific Standard Time and Vaka TV (Cook Islands), Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, Samoa Broadcasting Corporation TV1 and Tavuli News (Solomon Islands).
Each host nation will select five teams each and teams will be provided with high-spec technology to create fast, authentic, mobile-first content before contesting POP48, which will be held simultaneously across the Pacific.
Presented by Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited’s (PCBL) flagship Pasifika On Air (POA) programme, POP48 is a regional-focused filmmaking initiative, set to bring emerging Pacific storytellers together.
POP48 visionary and General Manager of POA, Nicole Rex-Taofinu’u says this unique initiative is an opportunity for young Pacific content creators to explore and hone their talents.
“It is also an opportunity to connect young Pacific storytellers with the local broadcasters PCBL partners with, as the media environment evolves with changing technology and the desire for different types of content,” Nicole explains.
“We are aiming to play the completed films across all of the PCBL platforms, with the opportunity for the public to vote for the best film.”
Meanwhile, the overall winning team will also receive a trip to Hawai’i to attend a filmmaking masterclass.
Selecting the host Pacific countries was challenging, with the inaugural contest attracting plenty of interest, Nicole says.
“It just shows us what we are already aware of – that there is a hunger throughout the region for people to not only tell their stories, but to develop new ways and skills of telling these stories to audiences beyond the coral reef.”
As the Pacific host countries battle it out, Nicole says there is sure to be some friendly inter-island rivalry.
“We can’t wait to see our young Pacific storytellers put their hand up to be noticed, and show us what is possible, with some investment, belief and resources.”
Learn more about POP48 on the Pasifika TV website.