Pacific Mother

As freediving couple Sachiko Fukumoto and William Trubridge navigated maternity systems for the birth of their first child, it awoke in them a fierce realisation about the lack of choice many parents face. Following the success of her short documentary ‘Water Baby’, director McRae follows Sachiko as she connects with ocean women from around the Pacific, from Hawai’i, Tahiti, the Cook Islands, and Aotearoa New Zealand. Through their interwoven stories, the film explores the importance of community, reclaiming traditional birthing knowledge and the connection between caring for the planet and nurturing both parents and their children.

Winner: Best NZ Feature, Best NZ Director, Best NZ Cinematography, Best NZ Editing