Studio Ki’i’pili is an animation collective working on purposeful boutique animation projects. We are a rotating roster of Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island and Asian artists/animators, working across Aotearoa mostly based at community work space Wheke Fortress in Onehunga.
Check out our Instagram. For enquiries email: info@whekefortress.com
The name Studio Ki’i’pili is a phonetic nod to the beloved Studio Ghibli, while also fatefully being Hawaiian for Adjoined/Moving (Ki’i) Image/Photo (Pili) ie. animation! We are a LGBTQIA+ crew obviously working to diversify the animation climate locally by putting more authentic narratives onscreen. We do this by 1). using kaupapa-driven and collective creative processes and 2). by ensuring cultural competency in the spaces, people and cultures we depict. We are looking beyond having people ‘interpret’ our stories and signifiers, no more bringing us on as scapegoat consultants when the job is almost done and needs credibility. We proudly bring our political narratives and truths into every project, we love working sustainably and together. This is the Studio Ki’i’pili kaupapa and this is story sovereignty in animation.
ANIMATION
STUDIO KI’I’PILI
Studio Ki’i’pili is an animation collective working on purposeful boutique animation projects. We are a rotating roster of Māori, Samoan, Tongan, Cook Island and Asian artists/animators, working across Aotearoa mostly based at community work space Wheke Fortress in Onehunga.
The name Studio Ki’i’pili is a phonetic nod to the beloved Studio Ghibli, while also fatefully being Hawaiian for Adjoined/Moving (Ki’i) Image/Photo (Pili) ie. animation! We are a LGBTQIA+ crew obviously working to diversify the animation climate locally by putting more authentic narratives onscreen. We do this by 1). using kaupapa-driven and collective creative processes and 2). by ensuring cultural competency in the spaces, people and cultures we depict. We are looking beyond having people ‘interpret’ our stories and signifiers, no more bringing us on as scapegoat consultants when the job is almost done and needs credibility. We proudly bring our political narratives and truths into every project, we love working sustainably and together. This is the Studio Ki’i’pili kaupapa and this is story sovereignty in animation.