Dawn

DAWN is a short film based on a true story of survival, sisterhood, and resilience in South Auckland. It follows a young woman who, while visiting home, is unexpectedly thrust into the role of full-time caregiver for her five younger siblings. 

Inspired by real events, DAWN shines a light on the lived experiences of many young people who carry heavy responsibilities with little support. 

Written and directed by Jasmine Day, with support from the whānau at Māoriland Films & Ngā Pakiaka we’re crowdfunding to bring this important story to the screen — one that speaks to the strength of our communities and the unseen realities behind closed doors.

My name is Jasmine Day, and I am one of eleven siblings born “under the bridge” (a slang term used to describe people born at Papakura Maternity Unit). I have a unique background that involves living in multiple homes with different families, which has grown me into an adventurous and creative person. I've danced with Ladi6, founded Southsiders Collective and make music as JDAY.

I’m a passionate Māori creative with a big story to share,  and I hope that by bringing this project to life, I will be able to start sharing pieces of my heart with the world.

For the past two years, I have been learning a whole lot about film under the guidance of Māoriland’s rangatahi filmmaking collective, Ngā Pakiaka, friends I cherish and relationships that will last a lifetime. This may be my first short film as a filmmaker/writer/director, but this is not my first rodeo with this crew – and I am grateful for and ready to apply all that I have learned.

I am making Dawn with Māoriland Films - the production house behind Māoriland Film Festival.  

At Māoriland, storytelling is a tool for transformation – we work to support the next generation of Indigenous storytellers to create bold, original, and globally resonant work.

The community of creatives behind this film are: 

Director: Jasmine Day
Producers: Jaimee Poipoi, Madeleine Hakaraia de Young
Exec Producer: Libby Hakaraia
Te Whare o Māoriland: Maaka Gair-Houia, Maakarita Paku, Elishka Graham, Marli van den Assum, Tahuaroa Ohia, Tainui Stephens, Ethan Seddon Cope, Waitahi McGee, Clara Hakaraia, Maija Stephens, Nga Roma Poa
Ngā Pakiaka: Oriwa Hakaraia, Matariki Black, Tirakahurangi Takuira-Leaf, TeOne Matthews, Tahuāroa Ohia, Aretha Ngawaka, Awanui Ririnui-Ryan, Rhoen Hemara, Kura Turuwhenua, Briar Pomana, Ethan Kalouniviti, Te Rangimoaho Iti, Ngāwari Tamanui-Fransen, Heriata Erana Rurehe

With your help, we need to raise $15,000

• Pre Production: Rehearsals, Booking Locations, Purchasing Costumes etc. 
• Production: Hiring Cast and Crew, Renting Film Equipment, 
• Post Production: Editing, Music, Sound Design, Marketing

Dawn is a young woman who is juggling life as a full-time caregiver for her younger siblings, while trying to save up for a trip to retrieve her belongings in Australia. One night she comes home from a late shift at a bar only to have the police turn up unannounced.

DAWN is a short film story about real-life events that took place in South Auckland.  DAWN is actually my story.

When I was 22, I was living in Byron Bay and came home to South Auckland for a holiday. The holiday was cut short by a family group conference that deemed myself and my 21-year-old sister emotionally aware enough to care for my siblings.

The next year was turbulent. We struggled to find a landlord who would rent to a 22-year-old beneficiary who was responsible for the full-time care of her siblings (aged 6, 8, 11, 13, and 14). But after a few long months of couch surfing and emergency accommodation, we finally landed a rental property in Manurewa.

Little did we know, the rental property had a bad reputation, and the old tenant was being sought by the police. The police would sneak up on us on several occasions at all hours of the day and night. DAWN is a film that captures a glimpse of this time in my life.

It’s a film that many hardworking residents of South Auckland will be able to relate to. It highlights a need for multiple ‘side-hustles’, and a common thread amongst young adults going to extreme efforts to provide for younger siblings.

DAWN is not a unique story. It shows how our society makes hard times even harder for hardworking families who are doing their best to survive in a world that was not designed for them to succeed. 

It’s important to me to share this story, to unveil the negative opinions there are of residents in South Auckland, and in doing so - I hope I am able to change the hearts and minds of those who still believe that anyone who comes out of South Auckland isn’t worthy of a chance.

I want younger generations in South Auckland to know and understand that their stories matter, that somebody wants to support them, and to show them what not giving up on their hopes and dreams could look like.