Winner Best Emerging NZ Filmmaker

Special Mention Best NZ Feature Category

Official Selection

In a small town twelve thousand miles away from the battlefields of Europe stands a monument dedicated to all Māori who fought for King and Country during World War One.
 
Constructed in 1925, it was built so generations to come would remember the supreme sacrifices made by Māori soldiers.
 
Over time, the stone and the memories carved into it slowly crumble. Storms and earthquakes accelerate this erosion. The loss of generations and dispersal of whānau exacerbates it.

Stopping the erosion, conserving the stones and rebuilding the monument will take a specialist team over a year and cost more than half a million dollars. Restoring memories, reconnecting whānau, and ultimately welcoming a World War One hero back home will take the love of a whole community.
 
Set in Stone is told from the heart by people whose passion and skill unite them. Māori and Pākehā, German and English all contribute to this fascinating and moving story. Filmed with aroha in the gardens of Pākaitore, Whanganui, it’s a story about a New Zealand community doing what they do best – caring for those who lived and those still living.

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"This New Zealand-made documentary showcases many elements of a complex, challenging, compelling story in its integration of historical and contemporary Māori and Kiwi communities — through its subjects and themes of duty, country, personal impact of a historic war, artistic restoration and craftsmanship, legacy building and memory.  For these efforts, we would like to recognize, with a special mention in this category of highlighting New Zealand films and filmmakers, the documentary SET IN STONE by Kevin Double and his production team." Doc Edge Jury 2017.