Sasha Votyakova

Our Aotearoa

HomeCreative Media ProductionSasha Votyakova

Our Aotearoa project poster
Still frame from Episode One, animation done in photoshop.

Bachelor of Creative Media Production

I had chosen to be part of Our Aotearoa because of its creative development and the topic it covered on immigration. I am interested in working with 2D and 3D animation software in order to create meaningful work for myself and others. This project resonated with me as I am an immigrant myself, so was excited to work with a diverse team to help develop this project into something meaningful for people and to be captivated by.

Our Aotearoa is an animated documentary series that speaks to immigrants' personal experiences of living in Aotearoa. These episodes explore themes of racism, discrimination, loss, loneliness, and maintaining cultural ties while living in another country. We feel there is little multicultural representation in mainstream media in Aotearoa. This project's purpose is to help open a dialogue for a more diverse representation of Aotearoa – the one we know, Our Aotearoa.