Libby Hakaraia
- Producer
- Director
- Writer
Libby Hakaraia (Ngati Raukawa au ki te tonga) is an experienced storyteller with over 30 years of experience directing and producing for television and film. Her first short film, "The Lawnmower Men of Kapu" screened at over 30 festivals around the world and led to the establishment of the Maoriland Film Festival.
Libby has spent the past decade building the Maoriland Film Festival into the biggest Indigenous festival in the world while also working to grow the capacity of our Maori and international Indigenous screen sector through Maoriland's year-round rangatahi and creative initiatives. These programmes have resulted in over 250 short films, documentaries, animated shorts, television series and music videos. Many of these works have been screened at festivals internationally. This experience has strengthened her understanding of the audience and the power of culturally authentic storytelling. In March 2023, Libby will step down from the MFF festival director role to work full-time on production. As lead producer, she has a slate of feature films, including NZ's first Maori creature feature Taniwha (development), Ruarangi (development) Manu Masters (development) and drama series Whiti (development)
Libby is also writing a feature film as well as several short films in development. All of these Libby intends to direct.
Libby has spent the past decade building the Maoriland Film Festival into the biggest Indigenous festival in the world while also working to grow the capacity of our Maori and international Indigenous screen sector through Maoriland's year-round rangatahi and creative initiatives. These programmes have resulted in over 250 short films, documentaries, animated shorts, television series and music videos. Many of these works have been screened at festivals internationally. This experience has strengthened her understanding of the audience and the power of culturally authentic storytelling. In March 2023, Libby will step down from the MFF festival director role to work full-time on production. As lead producer, she has a slate of feature films, including NZ's first Maori creature feature Taniwha (development), Ruarangi (development) Manu Masters (development) and drama series Whiti (development)
Libby is also writing a feature film as well as several short films in development. All of these Libby intends to direct.
