Sima Urale facts for kids

Sima Urale is a talented filmmaker from New Zealand. She makes movies that look at important topics in society, and her films have been shown all over the world. Sima is one of only a few Polynesian film directors globally, with over 15 years of experience making movies. She won a big award called the Silver Lion for Best Short Film at the Venice Film Festival for her movie O Tamaiti (which means 'The Children') in 1996.

Early Life and Family

Sima Urale was born on the island of Savai'i, in a village called Fagamalo in Samoa. She grew up there with her two brothers and three sisters.

In the 1970s, her family moved to New Zealand and settled in Wellington. Her mother was a teacher, and her father, who used to be a fisherman and farmer, worked night shifts in a factory.

Sima's brothers and sisters are also very creative! Her youngest brother is a famous rap artist named King Kapisi. He was the first hip hop artist to win the APRA Silver Scroll award. Her sister Makerita Urale writes plays, produces films, and makes documentaries. Another brother, Tati Urale, is a senior producer at ONE News for Television New Zealand.

The family often works together. Sima directed King Kapisi's first music video, called Sub-Cranium Feeling. Her sister Makerita Urale produced it. This music video was filmed underwater and won many awards, including Best Music Video from Flying Fish, BFM, and TVNZ Mai Time.

Education Journey

In 1989, Sima studied acting at the Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School. For her final show, she played the main character in a play called The Cherry Orchard.

After acting in professional plays in New Zealand for two years, she decided to study filmmaking. She went to the Victorian College of the Arts in Melbourne, Australia. While there, she was even named Student of the Year! In 1994, she earned her degree in Film & Television.

Filmmaking Career

Sima Urale has worked in the film industry for over 15 years. She writes and directs her own movies. She also directs documentaries, music videos, and TV commercials. Her films have been shown worldwide and have received many international awards.

Early Acting Roles

Before directing, Sima was an actor for two years. She performed in plays across New Zealand, including European and Māori theatre. She acted in The Taming of the Shrew at Downstage Theatre in Wellington. She was also in David Geary's play A Pack of Girls, which was about a women's rugby team.

In 1995, Sima won Best Actor in a Support Role at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. This was for her role as Luisa in John Kneubuhl's play, Think of a Garden. Later, in 1997 and 1999, she played Tivi in her sister Makerita Urale's play Frangipani Perfume. This was the first play written by a Pacific Island woman for an all-female cast.

Directing and Award-Winning Films

Sima's first screenplay was the short film O Tamaiti, which she also directed. The New Zealand Film Commission helped fund this movie. O Tamaiti has been shown more widely around the world than almost any other New Zealand film. It won Best Short Film at the Asia Pacific Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, and the NZ Film and TV Awards.

O Tamaiti was filmed in black and white and had very little talking. It showed how movies can change the way people think. The film was cleverly shot from the view of an 11-year-old Samoan boy named Tino. He tries to look after his five younger brothers and sisters while his parents are busy working.

Sima also directed the documentary Velvet Dreams. This film was shown on TVNZ and at many film festivals. It won Best Documentary at the Golden Sheaf Award at the Yorkton Film Festival in Canada in 1997.

Her short film Still Life won Best Short Film at the Montreal World Film Festival. It also received a Special Recognition Award at the Locarno Film Festival.

Sima directed Hip Hop NZ, a TV documentary about New Zealand's hip hop stars. This included artists like Che Fu, DLT (musician) from Upper Hutt Posse, and Tha Feelstyle.

In 2008, she directed the short film Coffee and Allah. This film won several awards, including Best Short Film at the Cinema of Muslim Golden Minbar in Russia. She also directed the full-length movie Apron Strings (2008). This film won Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Cinematography, and Best Designer at the Qantas Film & TV Awards in 2009.

Awards and Recognition

Sima Urale has received many important awards for her work:

• 2022: Tautai Award for Moana Excellence in the Screen Industry at the Women in Film and Television New Zealand Awards
• 2006: Creative New Zealand Pacific Innovation & Excellence Award at the Arts Pasifika Awards
• 2004: Fulbright-Creative New Zealand Pacific Writers' Residency at the University of Hawaiʻi
• 2003: Award from New Zealand On Air for her important work in making music videos.

Filmography