Let’s Go Local: Lunch & Tea By The Sea At Handicraft Centre For Tuqota
Meli Tuqota, a graphic designer behind the creation of a few locally-made short movies, believes there is a dire lack of creative film content from Fiji and the South Pacific.
He has served the graphic design industry for over 15 years.
In 2019, he created the animated short film, You, the Choice of My Parents.
It was screened at the largest indigenous Film Festival in the world, the IMAGINEnative Arts and Film Festival in Toronto, Canada.
The movie was accepted into the largest indigenous film festival in the Southern Hemisphere, the MAORILAND Film Festival 2020 in Otaki, New Zealand.
It has also won the award for Best Micro-Animation at the Micromania Film Festival 2020.
Inspired by international responses, he worked on my 2nd animated short film, Soli Bula.
Soli Bula is based on his take of what Fiji would be like, if it still held to its traditions and cultures.
Mr Tuqota hails from Vanua Levu. His mother is from Ha’apai, Tonga.
Meli Tuqota
Some funny facts
- A high school pianist, he admits he cannot play the piano to save himself.
- Mr Tuqota blamed daylight savings for the one time he came close to missing his flight from New Zealand.
- He learnt to drive manual, but drove an automatic car when he took the test. As a result, he is stuck with an automatic drivers’ license.
- He is bad at lists.
What is one place in Fiji you would take friends to?
Pacific Harbour is Suva’s holiday-out-of-the city location.
It is where I go to de-stress every now and then.
It is also where I go with my friends, whenever we get a chance.
Pacific Harbour offers a wide range of activities that include inland tours.
What is your favourite spot for coffee or pie?
The Handicraft restaurant in Suva is a nice spot to sit by the sea during lunch, to enjoy a hearty meal, once in a while.
I also like to have tea there, when I want to take a break in Suva.
What is your favourite backyard spot?
A makeshift bench at the back of the house, where my cats like to lounge.
I like to sit with them, when I want to get some fresh air.
What is one place in Fiji on your bucket list?
Yasawa group.
Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj
