The Orator wins again...and again
Tusi Tamasese's first film has won eight Sorta Unofficial New Zealand Film Awards categories.
Samoan-New Zealand movie The Orator has dominated the inaugural Sorta Unofficial New Zealand Film Awards taking away eight trophies - or "Moas" - from its 11 nominations.
The Orator / O Le Tulafale is the debut feature from writer-director Tusi Tamasese who graduated from the Masters in Creative Writing at Victoria in 2007.
As well as best film, The Orator won Tamasese the screenplay and directing prizes. Its cast also took away best actor, actress and supporting actress Moas, and the film also won sound and costume design.
The story of a bullied dwarf in an isolated Samoan village standing up for himself and family was shot in Samoa, entirely in the Samoan language and with a largely non-professional cast.
This latest award haul continues The Orator's run of national and international success. The film premiered in competition in the 2011 Venice Film Festival in the Orizzonti (New Horizons) section, where it won two awards and a special mention from the jury.