Fantail

Tania (Sophie Henderson) identifies as Māori, despite being blue-eyed and white. She works long shifts at a petrol station in the hope of taking her wandering brother Pi to Surfer’s Paradise, to find their Dad. Henderson's script was originally born as a drama school project. Her partner Curtis Vowell directed the movie in 20 days, via the NZ Film Commission’s low budget Escalator scheme. NZ Herald critic Dominic Corry found the twist on the Hine-nui-te-po myth "one of the freshest New Zealand films to come along in years". In this excerpt, Tania's fearless "extreme sports athlete" boss struggles after downing multiple cans of V.

Fresh, appealing characters written with insight and affection ... It’s funny and dark and sad, and I predict this local low-budgeter will connect with an enthusiastic audience.

– Listener critic Helene Wong in a list of her top five NZ film festival picks

Key Cast & Crew

Sophie Henderson

Writer, As: Tania

Jarod Rawiri

As: Dean

Stephen Lovatt

As: Rog

Vinnie Bennett

As: Bigman

Jahalis Ngamotu

As: Pi

Curtis Vowell

Director