Under the celestial guidance of Matariki, Māori kuia (elder) Hamo (Hinetu Dell) and local delinquent Jo (Darneen Christian) form an unlikely bond on a road trip. Hamo and Jo undertake a spiritual journey together in an old Ford Falcon, heading towards Hamo's whenua (land). As they confront past traumas and each face their demons, their shared path becomes a journey of healing, community and reconciliation.

KŌKĀ is the feature debut by writer/director Kath Akuhata-Brown and it is the first feature to use the original dialect of East Cape iwi Ngāti Porou.

Kath Akuhata-Brown is a guest of the festival.