Loading Docs, Aotearoa’s annual online short documentary series, returns with eight new stories of pain, passion, perseverance and the pursuit of something meaningful.
This year’s theme, The Power of Emotion, encompasses films about water sports, Esports, overcoming addiction, social media disorders, and historical pains that affect us today.
“It has been my absolute privilege to support this year’s filmmakers to turn these eight important stories into beautiful films,” says Julia Parnell, co-founder and executive producer. “Each year, we hope the theme inspires emergent documentary makers to seek out stories that are unique and untold, and each year they exceed our expectations. The Power of Emotion is a broad theme and so the films reflect that, covering the spectrum from some of life’s darkest moments to some of its brightest. And all eight of these films really do have the power to profoundly move people.”
Here are this year’s Loading Docs films, available to watch right now.
Beneath the Surface
New Zealand’s first Tongan swimming champion battles self-doubt and setbacks as she fights for a medal at the Commonwealth Games. Watch the film
Dir: Gill Higgins | Prod: Vea Mafile’o, Sarah Stewart
Mana Over Meth
Determined to break the cycle for her tamariki, one wāhine toa turns her troubled life of addiction and trauma around by rediscovering her wairua and reclaiming her mana. Watch the film
Dir: Holly Beckham | Prod: Holly Beckham, Jason Crane
Fast Eddie
Seeking joy after his life-threatening diagnosis, a determined father attempts one last adventure with his daughter: an ambitious bike ride that will push them to physical and emotional limits. Watch the film
Dir: Keely Meechan | Prod: Virginia Wickham, Keely Meechan
Believing is Seeing
A mysterious outbreak of tic disorders among young people leads Dr Robert Bartholomew to question whether social media is making us sick. Watch the film
Dir: Sophie Black | Prod: Nikhil Madhan
Testimony
Forty-five years after his parents were wrongfully imprisoned for overstaying, a Tongan New Zealander finally admits the painful truth behind what really happened to his family during the Dawn Raids. Watch the film
Dir: Alice Lolohea | Prod: Sandra Kailahi
Shred
A teenage bodybuilder must take extreme measures to sculpt the perfect body as he pursues his ultimate goal of winning his first bodybuilding competition. Watch the film
Dir: Harry Wynn | Prod: Lesley Hansen
He Ōhākī – Imparting Words of Wisdom
Centuries of Tūhoe wisdom are illuminated by Kararaina Rangihau, youngest daughter of John Rangihau, as a means of truly addressing the impact of institutional racism against Māori. Watch the film
Dir: Kararaina Rangihau | Prod: Ruth Kaupua, Kelly Davis
E Blacks
A passionate video gamer leads his team on a turbulent battle to be the first New Zealanders to compete in Esports in the Commonwealth Games. Watch the film
Dir: Ashley Pitman | Prod: Rajneel Singh, Annamarie Connors
The Loading Docs initiative provides local documentary makers with a platform to promote their creativity and talent and
to create work that inspires, pushes boundaries, and moves audiences. Over its nine years Loading Docs has produced 80
films watched by over 17.8 million people worldwide. See the full works over at www.loadingdocs.net.
