steam projects
Pacific Digital stories
Our flagship project, run in partnership with the Ministry of Education NZ for four years. Primary school students are involved in the production of their own animated digital story. Children are empowered to move from being content consumers to content creators, shaping their own narratives in partnership with their elders.
Our young authors talanoa with family members and submit a story about something important to them and their family. They record the narration in a professional studio, and have input into the illustrations and animation process through a three-step review process.
Pacific Digital stories
Our flagship project, run in partnership with the Ministry of Education NZ for four years. Primary school students are involved in the production of their own animated digital story. Children are empowered to move from being content consumers to content creators, shaping their own narratives in partnership with their elders.
Our young authors talanoa with family members and submit a story about something important to them and their family. They record the narration in a professional studio, and have input into the illustrations and animation process through a three-step review process.
Pacific Digital dance
An innovative blend of culture and technology, thanks to Creative NZ.
This project involved the composition and production of 9 original songs in Gagana Sāmoa, Lea faka-Tonga and Te Reo Māori Kuki ‘Airani, thanks to the expertise and talent of cultural advisors in our local communities.
For each song, specialised dances were choreographed ensuring that the movements enhanced the storytelling elements of the music. With the use of 3D motion capture technology, the dances were digitally mapped and transformed into professional animations by PKL’s 3D specialist animator. His knowledge and experience within Pacific environments is evident in the meticulous details of each Pacific village represented.
Further support from Creative NZ has enabled a second round of this project with three new Pacific communities - watch this space!
Pacific Digital dance
An innovative blend of culture and technology, thanks to Creative NZ.
This project involved the composition and production of 9 original songs in Gagana Sāmoa, Lea faka-Tonga and Te Reo Māori Kuki ‘Airani, thanks to the expertise and talent of cultural advisors in our local communities.
For each song, specialised dances were choreographed ensuring that the movements enhanced the storytelling elements of the music. With the use of 3D motion capture technology, the dances were digitally mapped and transformed into professional animations by PKL’s 3D specialist animator. His knowledge and experience within Pacific environments is evident in the meticulous details of each Pacific village represented.
Further support from Creative NZ has enabled a second round of this project with three new Pacific communities - watch this space!
Island Time
Island Time employs meaningful collaboration with Pacific musicians and teachers to create fun music for the classroom and at home.
In past projects we have engaged composers, lyricists, translators, musicians and vocalists from various Pacific cultures to revitalise traditional songs that excite children to move, dance, sing, tell stories and enjoy learning. There have also been new compositions and genres added to our growing repertoire of music. These songs are paired with fun animations.
It is a sensory experience to be able to hear the music, see the images, read the lyrics and dance along. Music is a traditional method of Pacific storytelling and animation serves to elevate the experience further.
Island Time
Island Time employs meaningful collaboration with Pacific musicians and teachers to create fun music for the classroom and at home.
In past projects we have engaged composers, lyricists, translators, musicians and vocalists from various Pacific cultures to revitalise traditional songs that excite children to move, dance, sing, tell stories and enjoy learning. There have also been new compositions and genres added to our growing repertoire of music. These songs are paired with fun animations.
It is a sensory experience to be able to hear the music, see the images, read the lyrics and dance along. Music is a traditional method of Pacific storytelling and animation serves to elevate the experience further.
young pasifika animators
Young Pasifika Animators workshops offer hands-on experiential learning in foundational animation skills.
Through creativity, technology, and cultural expression, these workshops empower young learners to bring their own stories to life.
Animation involves various elements of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, making it a perfect fit for STEAM education. Through the workshops, students can enhance their problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and digital literacy while immersing themselves in an engaging and enjoyable learning experience.
young pasifika animators
Young Pasifika Animators workshops offer hands-on experiential learning in foundational animation skills.
Through creativity, technology, and cultural expression, these workshops empower young learners to bring their own stories to life.
Animation involves various elements of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics, making it a perfect fit for STEAM education. Through the workshops, students can enhance their problem-solving skills, critical thinking, and digital literacy while immersing themselves in an engaging and enjoyable learning experience.
pasifika digital showcase
PKL’s annual showcase is an event where we get to celebrate 12 months’ worth of hard work, collaboration and creativity.
The showcase is an opportunity not only to officially launch all the amazing animations that have been co-designed through various projects, it’s a platform to celebrate every person, young and old who has contributed and collaborated in a digital story, song or dance.
Everyone has a chance to walk the red carpet and enjoy a luxury cinematic experience, watching their animations on the big screen with their schools, teachers and families cheering them on.
This is PKL’s way of giving back to our local communities, thanking them for embracing innovative technologies and entrusting us with their heritage stories that can now be preserved for generations to come.
pasifika digital showcase
PKL’s annual showcase is an event where we get to celebrate 12 months’ worth of hard work, collaboration and creativity.
The showcase is an opportunity not only to officially launch all the amazing animations that have been co-designed through various projects, it’s a platform to celebrate every person, young and old who has contributed and collaborated in a digital story, song or dance.
Everyone has a chance to walk the red carpet and enjoy a luxury cinematic experience, watching their animations on the big screen with their schools, teachers and families cheering them on.
This is PKL’s way of giving back to our local communities, thanking them for embracing innovative technologies and entrusting us with their heritage stories that can now be preserved for generations to come.
digital navigators film
The 2024 Showcase marked PKL's very first feature length, multilingual animated film! The film wove all of our 2024 Pacific Digital Stories and Island Time songs into one narrative journey, featuring seven Pacific languages. The audience is guided along the way by our characters 'Alisi and Semisi.
As always our 2024 Showcase was at full capacity, however this year sponsorship allowed us to put on three additional community screenings for schools at no cost to participants.
The Digital Navigators Film Tour is coming to a school near you soon! If you're interested to find out more please get in touch.
You can watch the Digital Navigators film trailer below.
digital navigators film
The 2024 Showcase marked PKL's very first feature length, multilingual animated film! The film wove all of our 2024 Pacific Digital Stories and Island Time songs into one narrative journey, featuring seven Pacific languages. The audience is guided along the way by our characters 'Alisi and Semisi.
As always our 2024 Showcase was at full capacity, however this year sponsorship allowed us to put on three additional community screenings for schools at no cost to participants.
The Digital Navigators Film Tour is coming to a school near you soon! If you're interested to find out more please get in touch.
You can watch the Digital Navigators film trailer below.
