The inaugural People of Pasifika 48hour (POP48) Film Challenge has breathed new life into content production and filmmaking throughout the region, inspiring the burgeoning storytelling collective.
From September 4-6, 2026, 20 short films from four Pacific nations – Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands – were scripted, shot, edited and submitted as part of POP48.
Local broadcasters were selected to “host” five teams per Pacific Island, and provide venues, including Pacific Standard Time (Cook Islands), Fijian Broadcasting Corporation, Samoa Broadcasting Corporation TV1 and Tavuli News (Solomon Islands).
Visionary for POP48 and acting Chief of Content, Nicole Rex Taofinu’u says she is overwhelmed by the hosts’ hospitality and professionalism throughout the weekend’s competition keeping their teams fed and focused.
“Not only were the hosts on fire, but the talent oozing from these four Pacific countries is incredible,” Nicole says.
“Individual teams now have to mobilise their audiences to vote for their film by registering on the PasifikaTV website.
“Voting opens on September 23, and the winning team will be announced in early October and receives a trip to Hawai’i for a Masterclass in Filmmaking.”
POP48 perfect fit for broadcaster’s new vision
For Chief Executive Officer of TV1 Samoa Mai Roebeck, POP48 has been an opportunity to test the waters of working alongside local content producers.
“This initiativefits perfectly with what we’re trying to achieve at TV1 Samoa,” Mai says.
“POP48 gives local creators a great opportunity to be creative, collaborate and tell their own stories and it also allows TV1 to be more than a broadcaster – to be a platform and partner for our creative community.
“There is so much talent in Samoa and across the Pacific, and we embrace opportunities like this to showcase it.”
Mai says POP48 has been an intense, exciting and incredibly rewarding experience.
“Forty-eight hours goes very quickly when you’re creating a film from scratch.
“What impressed me most was the commitment of the teams and how they came together under pressure, not just for the teams competing but also for us the host broadcaster.
“What an amazing experience to see local talent in the same space at the same time, creating a piece that highlights our culture, when fully supported.
“It was also a great learning experience for all of us at TV1Samoa as well.”
Brotherhood inspires creativity
Joachim Reti-Smith is a producer at TV1 Samoa and when he got the opportunity to be part of POP48 team TITANS 685 (lead picture), the 27-year-old jumped at the chance.
“It was my first time creating a film in such a short period of time, and balancing our time was the biggest challenge,” Joachim says.
Joachim, along with his three teammates Tuaitau Sitone Fonoti, TJ Ropati and Joshua Peleti Lefaoseu, had the added challenge of needing to work during the contest.
The crew had to cover the Miss Samoa pageant and Measina Festival all happening in Apia simultaneously, due to limited staff and resources in Samoa.
“We got a little bit of sleep here and there, and then the creativity started flowing from sharing jokes and different ideas from the usos,” Joachim says.
“We were the youngest team out of the Samoa contingent, all aged 26 to 28 years old and up against the likes of Sleeping Giants, who we would love to learn more from.
“I would definitely do this again and we are more than happy with what we produced.”
Voting starts on September 23. To vote for your favourite Pacific short film, register at PasifikaTV.
Visit POP48 to check out the teams.