Love and Kastom premieres in front of a home crowd at Tana Cine, on June 24, 2025.
By Michelle Curran
Strategic Communications, Pasifika TV
For Francis Herman OAM, Love and Kastom is simply the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to storytelling in Vanuatu and the Pacific.
The Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation (VBTC) Chief Executive Officer is the Executive Producer for the documentary which premiered on June 24, in front of 100 guests at Tana Cine, Port Vila.
Hosted by VBTC and the New Zealand High Commission in Vanuatu, the event is the culmination of collaborative work between Francis and colleague VBTC Producer Rick Malao, and Head of Factual at Great Southern TV (GSTV) Adrian Stevanon, with funding support from the inaugural Pacific Regional Media Fund (PRMF).
The PRMF, made possible by NZ on Air and Pacific Cooperation Broadcasting Limited (PCBL), encourages the creation of stories from a uniquely Pasifika perspective, to be broadcast throughout the region on Pasifika TV.
It pairs Aotearoa New Zealand-based Pasifika producers with Pacific-based producers and broadcasters, to create and produce content shot in the Pacific.
Francis says he originally floated the idea of the documentary looking at the Bride Price kastom in Vanuatu, as a way of exploring the ancient ceremony to foster a greater understanding of this tradition.
“It’s an effort for Pacific Islanders to tell their own stories and demystify a lot of the untruths and speculation around our customs, traditions and culture,” Francis says.
Premiering in Vanuatu, in front of a “home crowd”, is a prime opportunity to acknowledge the support of the funders and partners who made this film possible, and to celebrate another Pacific story told by Pacific Islanders, he adds.
The production team has high hopes for Love and Kastom, and following its home premiere, will be submitted into the FIFO Oceania Film Festival, Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union’s Film Contest and several international film festivals.
With interest piqued, and Francis and the VBTV team will continue capturing kastom and culture of Vanuatu to be screened to Vanuatu communities, to create greater appreciation and understanding of local culture, he says.
Meanwhile, PCBL Chief Executive Officer Natasha Meleisea is delighted to see the PRMF come to life.
“Our Vanuatu/Aotearoa partnership is the first of six fund recipients to complete their project and it is a huge success,” Natasha says.
“It is a privilege and honour to see it premier in Vanuatu, to be celebrated by everyone who made it happen and I am very excited to see just how far this uniquely Pacific story will go.”
Senior Funding Advisor for NZ On Air Nicole Rex says the PRMF was established out of a deep commitment to ensuring Pacific stories are told authentically by Pacific people.
“With a rich tradition of oral storytelling, it is vital these narratives from across the Pacific are preserved and shared on screen in ways that honour our origins,” Nicole says.
Equally important is the empowerment of Pacific producers to lead this work, she adds.
“The creation of this documentary is a great example of upholding cultural integrity and story sovereignty in the Pacific.
“This powerful and moving documentary is the first to emerge from the initiative and it has exceeded all expectations.”
Visit the Pasifika TV website to learn more about the Pacific Regional Media Fund.
