Filmmakers to Watch in 2025: Part One
For nearly two decades, Day One Hāpai te Haeata has been working with emerging and aspiring young filmmakers, watching their film careers flourish and develop.
What often sets these voices apart is a strong desire to elevate creative storytelling through the medium of filmmaking and a determination to champion the communities that they care about. Their fresh take on filmmaking makes our film community so much richer.
Each of these filmmakers have been shortlisted, nominated and/or are winners of the Day One New Filmmaker Awards special categories. We asked them to tell us a bit more about themselves, how they got into film and why. Read on to find out why Day One believes these are the filmmakers to keep an eye on in 2025(and beyond)!
SOFI ISAAK-ZADE
Age: 28
City: Auckland
Area of expertise: Camera Department
How & Why did you get into your area?
I always struggled to express myself verbally and after searching for alternative ways of expression I found out that I feel most comfortable when I’m behind the camera.
What advice/tips would you give to those who want to work in your area?
I don’t think I’m in a position to give advice, but all I can say is you must love and respect your craft while of course having fun doing it.
What drew you to focus on the technical side of filmmaking, and what do you love most about your craft?
I love how technical and creative aspects merge and blend. What drew me in is a challenge that technical aspect was for me. I’ve always been creatively inclined but technically challenged, so I’ve found a perfect balance in what I do. Being constantly challenged and learning every day while expressing myself creatively.
What’s a specific area of your craft you’re passionate about mastering, and why does it excite you?
It’s not possible for me to pick one specific aspect. I love everything that cinematography involves and I strive to master every aspect of it, be it lighting, framing, capturing and relaying specific emotions, setting a tone and complementing a story. It’s a demanding craft which requires one to master all of the above and of course also staying somewhat technically advanced.
Can you describe a moment where you contributed to elevating a project or solved a problem on set?
Both of those things are a part of the job. For me. every moment is filled with the desire to elevate and every shoot presents challenges that must be solved.
Taniora Ormsby
Age: 28
City: Auckland
Area of expertise: Camera Department
How & Why did you get into your area?
I was naturally drawn towards film through story telling. I would draw my own characters when I was a kid, then naturally began writing stories about them until one day I wanted to bring them to life on the big screen.
What advice/tips would you give to those who want to work in your area?
Surround yourself with like minded people, have them push, challenge and motivate you to pursue your goals. Film is a team sport, and having your own community is such a blessing and necessity that I cannot stress enough.
What motivates you to take on challenges and lead others in your filmmaking journey?
I'm inspired by the people around me, my friends, my family. I enjoy creating stories and experiences that resonate with them, often drawing inspiration from my own life. It's my personal way of expressing myself and exploring those themes.
What does collaboration mean to you, and how do you inspire those you work with?
Filmmaking is naturally a collaborative medium. I think my best work have spawned from moments where I've worked with another person and together we were able to create something great. I think of film in a similar way to how a conductor conducts an orchestra. A group of talented artists, who alone are great, but when preforming together are amazing.
I like to believe I inspire the people I work with by being passionate about the work we are doing together. Being a confident voice to cast and crew to reassure them when things are unclear or uncertain. And most importantly, I believe in pushing those around me and believing in them/ trusting them in their fields.
What are your tips for keeping morale up during challenging moments?
Never forget to have fun. Stress is a pressure cooker on set. If the director is feeling stressed, then the entire set is. My go to to keeping morale up is to crack a few jokes, make small talk with cast and crew, something non-work related. More times or less, people are there to have fun anyways, so try and not to take things too seriously, but not too loose as well.
What inspires your storytelling, and how do you approach bringing fresh perspectives to the screen?
I strive to tell stories from untold perspectives or take familiar tales and transform key elements to offer a fresh take. Many of my stories are shaped by my upbringing as a proud South Aucklander and Māori. I believe these diverse perspectives have given me a unique outlook on life.
Can you share a project or moment where you felt your creative vision truly came to life?
I had written a story where the climax had the main character face the passing of his best friend. And from the moment I had written it until all the way until the screening, it had strongly affected me. And to hear that other people had similar experiences was something so rewarding. To write something that makes another person feeling so strongly about, is a wonderful thing.
What kind of stories do you hope to tell in the future, and what impact do you hope they’ll have?
I aim to continue bringing fresh perspectives to stories that have often been overlooked. I want to highlight the journeys of underprivileged youth from South Auckland as they navigate the world. Additionally, I aspire to expand the Māori film industry by creating genre-bending films that challenge conventions and broaden the horizons of modern audiences.
What drew you to focus on the technical side of filmmaking, and what do you love most about your craft?
In all honesty, I love being able to work with my friends and to meet like minded people.
What’s a specific area of your craft you’re passionate about mastering, and why does it excite you?
I've been really looking to develop more directing skills. I've been studying the greats and wanting to level up my visual storytelling skills. Things like blocking and staging have been at the forefront of my mind recently.
Can you describe a moment where you contributed to elevating a project or solved a problem on set?
I remember a moment on set involving an elaborate lighting setup that required a coordinated sequence to signal the gaffer to switch the lights on and off. After a few minutes of the crew struggling to resolve the issue, I stepped in to act as the central signaler, positioning myself where everyone could see me clearly. I felt like a conductor, guiding an orchestra beat by beat. By taking on this role, I was able to streamline communication and save the team a significant amount of time.
Lealani Siaosi
Age: 25
City: Auckland
Area of expertise: Writer/Producer/Actress
How & Why did you get into your area?
As an emerging storyteller, my hope is to serve communities with stories that foster self-understanding, empathy, and a deeper connection to humanity. I was fortunate to meet Producer (and my now uso for life) Aumua Vaega, straight out of uni. She believed in me before I gave her any reason to. Since then, I’ve been lucky to connect with incredibly talented people in the industry who have been insanely generous with their knowledge and time, mentoring me just because they can. Tom Hern and Nua Finau taught me how to be a producer, Shoshana McCallum and Harry McNaughton helped me realise I’m a writer, and Aumua has had my back through it all.
What advice/tips would you give to those who want to work in your area?
Work hard and be kind. In this industry, people will always remember the quality of your work and how they felt working alongside you. You don’t need to be a people pleaser, but being a genuinely nice person who gets the job done will take you far!
What motivates you to take on challenges and lead others in your filmmaking journey?
Challenges force you to learn and grow. It’s easy to feel like things are happening "to" you, but they’re actually happening "for" you. Every challenge is an opportunity to better yourself, and while things may feel impossible in the moment, I know I’ll come out a better creator in the end.
What does collaboration mean to you, and how do you inspire those you work with?
To me, collaboration means genuinely listening to people and valuing what they have to say. I always ask for opinions and thoughts from my team and stay open to discussion. It’s important for everyone to feel heard, and I make sure that the people I work with know I care about their input in what we’re creating together.
What are your tips for keeping morale up during challenging moments?
I think your attitude is everything! While it's easy to fall into a pit of despair when things go sideways, it's way more fun for you (and everyone else) to have faith and keep the good vibes going. I know it's easier said than done, but if you have the choice to be happy or a grump, surely you'd pick the first, right?
Dylan Poihipi
Age: 24
City: Auckland
Area of expertise: Director, Writer
What motivates you to take on challenges and lead others in your filmmaking journey?
The idea of leading others and the thought that there will be challenges in the journey of creation IS something that motivates me. To dream up something and for everyone to search for ways to bring it to life together. To stand on the edge of the cliff of "I don't know how" as one, and jump right off into the dark. To get to that point in the fall, when you feel you're floating.
What does collaboration mean to you, and how do you inspire those you work with?
Collaboration I believe, means to leave the door open for others to come through. To create a space and let them imagine and observe what they see within it. But also to leave them free to move things around, and talk about it together.
As to how I inspire others who work with me, I feel like this is a question you should ask them, as I have not a clue. I'm never consciously striving to inspire. I am striving to form meaningful relationships with people I want to work with again and again. My hope is that we inspire each other.
What are your tips for keeping morale up during challenging moments?
Patience and understanding.
Alyssa Medel
Age: 26
City: Auckland
Area of Expertise: Producer/Writer/Director
How & why did you get into your area?
I love storytelling, whether in writing or directing, but I also love putting teams together and supporting other artists in bringing their work to life. After I did my BA in Screen Production at UoA, I began working freelance in both theatre and screen.
What advice/tips would you give to those who want to work in your area?
This industry is not the easiest, and the systems around it make it so difficult for people to last within it, especially in above-the-line roles. You need to really want it and not be able to envision yourself doing anything else, because it really can break you down after years of trying to "make it" in the industry. Humility is so important, but don't conflate that with a lack of confidence. Be confident in your WHY and the voice you bring to the table, but also be humble and eager to learn from those around you.
What motivates you to take on challenges and lead others in your filmmaking journey?
Community. I've been so lucky to have met the awesome BIPOC community I have from the beginning of my career, and my love for them keeps me going. Because of this, it also motivates me to stand up for us and advocate for a better industry that welcomes us and our stories. All sorely needed! I come from a very community and purpose-driven kaupapa, and this informs everything I do in my creative and professional practice.
I hate how BIPOC and minority community artists are forced to fight against each other for "scraps", growing competition for the role of "representative" or "first so and so", I look forward to a future of abundance for all of us because we all have way more stories to tell beyond monoliths. I am so inspired by the people who are making waves and changing these systems along the way with their growing success.
What does collaboration mean to you, and how do you inspire those you work with?
Genuine collaboration means creating a safe and encouraging space for artists to be artists together, everyone can chip in and know that they will get due credit but also be motivated by the collective goal of creating something they can all be proud of. That's why I think the backbone of true collaboration is a shared kaupapa. I have no idea how I inspire those I work with! I think they inspire me a lot, and my energy around them is a whole lot more positive because of this!
What are your tips for keeping morale up during challenging moments?
Community, always.
Stay tuned for Part Two and Three of our Filmmakers to Watch in 2025 list.