Team Cook Islands
🇨🇰 COOK ISLANDS, TAKE A BOW! Their 48-hour film is officially in the spotlight, and we want to know which one becomes your favourite — watch, enjoy and get voting! 🌴
5 TEAMS. 5 FILMS. 48 HOURS.
WRITE. SHOOT. EDIT. 5 FILMS IN 48 HOURS.
Orange is the New Kikiā
Team Name: Team Anuanua
In 2046, a reluctant son is sent back through his parents’ memories to uncover “the truth,” witnessing an innocent rawfish encounter spiral into an island-wide tale of theft and crime – only to discover the truth he’s looking for has been hiding in plain sight.
Writer: Teherenui Koteka
Camera, Editor: Joshua Baker
Production Manager, Set Design: Daniel Fisher
Cast: Ngatupuna Kae, Daniel Fisher, Jean Nootai, Jason Lindsay, Mii Upu, Lucy Ataera, Mata Tourani, Natalia Lajpold, Tokarema Kota, Teherenui Koteka,
Simiona Teiotu, Peggy matapo, Rebecca Puni, Elizabeth Bishop, Tea Crocombe, Makai Savage, Adam Banaba, Tungane Moetaua
ATM
Team Name: Team Etu Mana
A routine trip to the ATM connects two strangers from different generations. A chain of events is set off that challenges assumptions about trust, community and belonging in a world of temptation of things, status and image. ATM is a character-driven story told with ordinary everyday moments that can reveal warmth and humour and extraordinary humanity that reminds us our greatest wealth is not found in money but our cultural connections and anau rooted in our ancestral and christian geneaology and history. The whistle prop was not considered to be part of what our culture and story are so “That does not belong there” explains its positioning in our story. Enjoy.
Director: Ruth Tangilau Mave
Scriptwriter: Ruth Tangilau Mave
Camera: David Teata
Sound: Ma Pirangi
Editor: Steele Cassidy Koronui
Songwriter: Terence Treapii Tangatapoto
Cast: Liam Aviu-Kurariki, Tangimetua Lucky Mave, Reuera Lucky Mave, Nick Connai, Steele Cassidy Koronui, David Teata, Terence Tereapii Tangatapoto, David Sunshine
Original Music: Etu Mana, written and performed by Terence Tereapii Tangatapoto
One Small Detail
Team Name: Team Toru
A young Māori woman’s ordinary morning unravels when a missing bike pedal, a stolen bicycle, and an unexpected ride from a Cook Islands stranger send her racing to a soccer game—only to receive a life-changing call from her auntie revealing that she has a brother she has never met.
Director & Writer: Kirsten Lebon
Camera, Sound, Editing: Jay Araia
Production and Production Manager: Kirsten Lebon
Cast: Kiana Marino-Morris, Varo Malcom, Pui Mere Mere, Hunter Metuaarea, Tapu Paitai
That's the Spirit
Team Name: Team First Watch
Set within the lively world of Cook Islands sport, That’s the Spirit asks a simple question: where does the sound of a whistle actually come from? For Aunty Bea The Referee, every call she makes sends the tiny spirit inside her whistle tumbling through a game of its own.
That’s the Spirit!
Written By Team First Watch – Team Cook Islands For POP48 Film Challenge – 2026
CAST
Aunty B the Referee – Beatrice Taripo, Whis-tle Spirit – Moana Cook
CREW
Camera & Sound – Mary-Louise Raela, Costume & Set Design – Ani O’Neill, Costume & Set Assistant – Moana Cook, Production Manager – Moana Cook, Director & Editor – Benjamin Raela, Executive Producer – Pouarii Tanner, Pacific Standard Time, Rarotonga, ST Media Liaison – Henry Ah-Foo Taripo
MUSIC – ‘Keep It Loose’ by Aves, Artlist, 2026; ‘Show Segments – Jazzy Time Light Intro Music Warm’ by Taris Studios, Artlist, 2026
MEITAKI MA’ATA – OUR GRATITUDE TO: ALL POP48 Teams, Pasifika TV, Samsung NZ, DJI NZ
Korero Tupuna
Team Name: Team Manava
A young woman prepares to step into the spotlight, recalling the words of strength and resilience her grandmother once shared with her, words that now return through song and dance.
Team Manava: Kylie Mulipola, Taungaroa Emile, Kubethreana Taripo, Esther Tetava
Mini Manava: Koa Bear, Cleo Tetava-Peyroux, Ermias Tetava-Peyroux, Ana-Rangi Taru
Support: Albert Taru, Edward Sparks Nga, Bonnie Emile
