Pacific documentary-making capability will be bolstered by the inaugural Pasifika On Air (POA) Focus on Documentary Producers Masterclass, set to be staged in Samoa, from November 9-13, 2026.
Six successful producers/production teams have been selected from 22 applicants to attend the Masterclass, led by Tikilounge Productions Executive Producer Papali’i Lisa Taouma, an established and accomplished Pacific documentary maker based in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Documentary Producers Masterclass takes place over an intensive five-day period, with the aim of strengthening Pacific documentary-making capability by providing practical development, production knowledge and funding opportunities for Pacific producers.
Papali’i will lead the participants through what makes indigenous storytelling unique and how it is vital to honour the communities and networks we live in, and to develop content with them.
Refining an idea into a structure, making the idea match the resource, understanding the audience being addressed – and speaking to it in a style and tone it will engage with, identifying who needs to see this story and what changes are needed after the documentary is seen will also be covered during the five days.
From the Masterclass, three projects will be chosen to move from concept idea to a finished broadcast-ready documentary.
Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL) Chief of Content (Acting) and General Manager of Pasifika on Air (POA) Nicole Rex Taofinu’u says she is pleased with the calibre of applications and is excited about this new addition to the POA suite of initiatives.
“With nine of the 22 applications received hailing from Samoa, the decision was made to host the inaugural Masterclass in Apia due to the high level of interest there,” Nicole says.
“However, there were also applications from the Cook Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji – all potential locations for the next Masterclass.
“This is an expansive time for Pasifika On Air and our Pacific media and content creators in the region, with our Focus on Film and now Focus on Documentary Masterclasses, led by top Pacific media professionals,” Nicole says.
“I am excited to see what evolves from the Masterclass, content which will then be made available on our digital streaming service…it most certainly is a time of transformation and growth.”
Congratulations to the six successful applicants selected to take part in the Focus on Documentary Masterclass:
- Sleeping Giant Films
- Fine Mat Creative
- Ava Mua Productions
- Pasefika Presence
- Tihati Devoe/ Samoa Video Pro
- Samoa Broadcasting Corporation Ltd
Visit Pasifika On Air for more information.