At its heart, the 2025 Big Screen Symposium is guided by Ko te Kore, Ko te Pō, Ki te Whaiao, Ki te Ao Mārama… Our Potential — the vast, untapped, and diverse possibilities within Aotearoa’s screen sector. Rather than a singular theme statement, the symposium embraces six thematic perspectives, each representing a different lens through which potential can be interpreted and activated:
- Discovering
- Igniting
- Developing
- Crafting
- Accelerating
- Celebrating
These lenses reflect not just stages of professional and creative growth, but the broad spectrum of reasons people attend BSS — from emerging talent to established professionals.
MĀORI WORLD VIEW OF POTENTIAL
Embedded within our theme is the Māori cosmological tikanga (values) of potential, grounded in the teachings of respected Te Arawa leader Mita Mohi:
- Te Kore (the void) interpreted not as emptiness, but as limitless, undefined, and unmeasured potential.
- The progression from Te Kore through Te Pō (states of darkness), to Te Whaiao (movement to goal/light) to Te Ao Mārama (light/realisation) mirrors the creative journey from possibility to manifestation.
- Each stage gives rise to the next eg. Te Pō kerekere to Find meaning … Te Pō tiwhatiwha to Strategise … Te Pō tē-kitea to Innovate … This connects to the emotional, strategic, and visionary aspects of all our creative work.
THEMATIC BREAKDOWN
Discovering
Focuses on visibility, access, and new talent.
Activities include:
- Showcasing emerging filmmakers and new productions
- Industry scholarships
- Networking events and exhibition spaces
- Creating student pathways and connections
Igniting
Designed to spark dialogue, debate, and inspiration.
Includes:
- High-profile keynote addresses and panels
- Case Studies of local and international productions
- Conversation and discourse forums
- The AOTEAROA SCREEN DEBATE as a new central event
Developing & Crafting
These two interlinked themes are about deepening creative skills and industry knowledge.
Offerings:
- Masterclasses and panels
- Skill-sharing and craft sessions
- Funders’ presentations
- Practical writing workshop
Accelerating
Introduces a business-focused lens:
- Round tables encouraging the exchange of ideas and working practices
- Industry meetings with businesses, funders and collaborators
- One-on-one meetings
- International co-production sessions
Celebrating
Honours creative accomplishments and our industry whakapapa:
- Sneak peeks of upcoming projects
- Profiles of local talent and productions
- Storytelling sessions and historical reflections on the industry
This year’s theme is beautifully depicted by artist Miriama Grace-Smith.
