Featured Filmmaker: Manu And Thois Discuss Papuan Voices

Papuan Voices (PV) is a community of documentary filmmakers who highlight cultural, environment and social issues in Papua. PV produces short documentary films on issues such as struggles of the indigenous people and fighting for women's rights. They want these films to educate papuans from other districts the struggles they are currently facing.

One of their main activities is screening these films with a discussion to facilitate a wider outreach.

In this interview, Thois and Immanuel discussed the current social conditions in Papua, and their belief that through PV, their struggles would be shared and discussed across a wider audience. They believe that their films were produced to respond and, eventually, take part in solving the most rampant issues in their area.

They also talked about the challenges they faced during productions, such as understanding local tribal languages and longer and more expensive travels due to the lack of local transport.

Both film-makers reiterated their commitment to the PV community, which they say is rooted in their care and support for their fellow Papuans. Seeing that Papua is still lagging behind the neighbours, they want to share their hopes to people outside the region.

As young Papuans, they want to do what they can do for the society.