Renae Maihi
Mana Films
OUR EYES, OUR WORLD, OUR STORIES
MOEMOEĀ
VISION
To change the world and BREAK THE SCREEN with Indigenous cinema.
PUKUMAHI
MISSION
To produce groundbreaking Indigenous narrative films as told by Native
filmmakers that inspire the world to see itself and us through our eyes.
HE AHA AI?
WHY?
Because it’s time.
And Indigenous cinema is the next wave.
A global Indigenous film company.
Established and incorporated in 2017 by Company Director Renae Maihi with the support of The Māori Women's Development Initiative.
NGĀ TIKANGA
OUR VALUES
NGĀKAU WHAKAUTE
RESPECT
Honor for living Mana extended to all, encompassing individuals, their stories, nations, ancestors, spiritual beliefs, native lands, language, sacred items, and all life in our universe.
MANA TĀNGATA WHENUA
INDIGENEITY : Authenticity and perspective led by Indigenous voices, ensuring a genuine 4th cinema experience.
MĀ PANGO, MĀ WHERO
COLLABORATION: Fostering partnerships and cooperation with Indigenous and non-Indigenous allies, embracing a global cinematic storytelling spirit.
WHĀIA TE ITI KAHURANGI
EXCELLENCE : Cinematic brilliance in all stages, from engagement to final presentation, to deliver premier Indigenous cinema to the world.
NGĀKAU PONO
INTEGRITY: Unwavering commitment to ethics, work ethic, and professionalism in all endeavors.
WHANAUNGATANGA
COMMUNITY: A joyful, celebratory atmosphere promoting Indigenous culture, creativity, and cinematic art within a community and whanau (family) framework.
KO WAI MĀTOU?
WHO ARE WE?
Company Director Renae Maihi established Mana Films (formerly Ms Mana Films) in 2017 to take her vision of Indigenous storytelling excellence to the world. Mana Films is a continuation of Renae's long career leading projects which began in 2008 when, at only 25 years old she debuted her work Ngā Manurere, The Flock starring Oscar nominated actress Keisha Castle-Hughes.
Her career leading projects continued in both professional theatre and then film, when in 2011 she was one of only 6 applicants among over 160, to win NZ Film Commission funding for her film Butterfly - Purerehua which she wrote, directed and lead produced.
With years of experience leading her own projects under sole trading company Mauri Productions, in 2017 Renae established and incorporated Mana Films Ltd with the support of The Māori Women's Development Initiative.
From 2018 - 2020 Company Director Renae was based in Toronto, Canada with her First Nations partner where she spent 2 years writing feature film screenplays with the goal of producing them via Mana Films.
Now based in Aotearoa New Zealand since late 2020 Mana Films has been busy developing feature films with the support of Renae Maihi's Hollywood management company 5X Media, as well as co-producing international Indigenous co-productions with the goal of future official co-production treaty films.
Mana Films by way of Renae Maihi holds the Intellectual Property Rights to thirteen titles, a slate of produced and in-development work.
With talented collaborators surrounding Mana Films including Hollywood Producer and expert script consultant Garrick Dion (Drive, Night Crawler, Whiplash) as well as business focused Hollywood manager Scott Einbinder (The Hitman's Bodyguard, The Covenant) Mana Films is well positioned to achieve it's global aspiration of taking Indigenous cinema to the world.
Mana. The divine inherited power passed on to humankind and all living things which is the essence of self-determination, pride, potential and hope.