DamonFepulea'i
- Director
- Editor
Writer and director Damon Fepulea'i trained as an editor before turning to directing. His credits include Dawn Raids and Life After Footy, two documentaries exploring Pacific Islanders experiences in New Zealand, and comedies Jono and Ben, Funny Girls and Mean Mums. His short film Watermark was invited to 20 international film festivals. He directed his debut feature Red, White and Brass in 2023.
Biography
Damon Fepulea'i was five when Star Wars transported him to a galaxy far away. The magic of the George Lucas space saga showed him storytellers could create other worlds.
Fepulea'i was born in Auckland to a Samoan Dad and Palagi Mum. His family shifted to Avondale when he was a baby, and their home became a hub for his Samoan extended family. Fepulea'i was always doodling and drawing at school. One day his mum bought a brand new computer — a Commodore Vic 20 — and his imagination was fired. He would buy computer magazines and try to create computer games. When he was at Avondale College, the family upgraded to a Commodore Amiga and Fepulea'i started doing basic animation.
Screenography
Awards
2024 New Zealand Television Awards / Ngā Taonga Whakaata O Aotearoa
Nominated for Best Pasifika Programme (with Tuki Laumea): for Untold Pacific History
“We have spent hours arguing and philosophising in edit suites and I believed he was capable of achieving the vision the Watermark script promised. He did not disappoint.”