ZAKEA PAGE
Film/Design/Fine Art
Ink And Gold: An Artist's Journey To Olympic Glory
The Oscar Qualified Documentary short film ‘Ink and Gold: An Artist’s Journey to Olympic Glory’ follows the journey of New Zealand artist and athlete, Zakea Page, winning the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games medal design competition and fulfilling a lifelong dream to perform at the opening ceremonies.
The film was shot over the course of one week in Lausanne, Switzerland, at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games and weaved together with self-taped footage of Zakea’s younger years as an athlete and artist. Accompanied with interviews of his family, ‘Ink and Gold’ highlights the connection between art and sport in bringing together peoples of diverse cultures and backgrounds to bridge barriers of language and foster connections, mutual understanding, and respect for one another. It also aims to dismantle the requirements of young people to choose between the two.
The story, artwork and design work in the film are a reflection of Mr. Page’s non-traditional upbringing as the child of international teachers and the many different cultures and experiences he was exposed to in New Zealand, Kuwait, Viet Nam, England, Bangladesh and China. These experiences are the foundation for his medal design, entitled “Beauty in Diversity”, to embody the Olympic celebration of respect, friendship and excellence, honouring every athlete's (and in this case, artist’s) journey to the Games.
A poetic and uplifting portrait of a young man looking for connection with humanity combining art and sport in expressive form, Ink and Gold is filled with hope and the limitless possibility of tomorrow.
Ink and Gold has been Official Selection at 80 Film Festivals since the beginning of 2023, receiving 72 awards including 42 Best Documentary Short Awards.
Best Sports Film
Louisville’s International Festival of Film
Best documentary Short Film
International Online Web Fest
FICTS Award
SPORT MOVIES & TV 2023 – 40th Milano International FICTS FestIval
Best Editing
South Pacific Film Festival
Best Documentary Short
Accolade Global Film Competition
Best Documentary Short
The Indie Fest Film Awards
Bio
Zakea Page, is a filmmaker, artist and designer. He recently graduated from Massey University in Creative Media Production. He was a camera operator and assistant editor for Zonta Ignite, a short documentary offering insight into the lives of five members of Zonta International’s Wellington Club, an international women‘s organisation, which through service and advocacy empowers women worldwide. Zakea has also directed commercials for clients such as Massey University, and was drone pilot and assistant camera operator for the official video of the Spirited Women’s North Island Event, an all-women adventure race prioritising health and fitness. Zakea also directed several short films including Malformation Capital exhibited as part of the inaugural 2018 Asian Aotearoa Arts Hui, a national public festival that celebrates diverse expressions of ‘Asianness’ in New Zealand in the Arts. Zakea has done social media work for the Laussane 2020 youth Olympic Games, Massey university and Green monkey.
Zakea also has a Fine Art practice; his work explores the confrontation between nature and manufactured environments. He had two Solo Exhibitions in Shanghai: Tenacious in 2017 and Benevolence in 2019. His work has been shown in America, New Zealand, China, Switzerland and England. He was a 2018 finalist for the Wellington Regional Arts Review and a three-time finalist at the New Zealand National Youth Art Awards.
Zakea is also a performance artist and has performed his artwork in Auckland, Shanghai and Los Angles including at the China International import Expo and Womens FIH (Federation of international Hockey) world league Final. Zakea is also a designer and is the winner of the international competition for the Laussane 2020 youth Olympic Games medals design, making him the first New Zealander to design an Olympic medal. Zakea was also chosen to perform at the Opening ceremony of the games. Zakea has the distinct honour of being the only individual to have designed an Olympic medal and perform at an Olympic Games opening ceremony at any version of the Games. He received the first set of medals of the Laussane 2020 Youth Olympic Games, from IOC President Thomas Bach.
Zakea directed his first short Documentary 'Ink and gold' detailing what he learned and experienced at the games. In the 2023 international film circuit the film has received 80 Official Selections with 72 Awards, including 42 Best Documentary Short Awards, 2 Critics Choice & Audience Choice Awards, as well as 6 Best Editing, 2 Best Director, Best Producer, Best Original Song and Best Concept Awards. It won the FICTS Olympic Storytellers award at the “SPORT MOVIES & TV 2023 – 40th Milano International FICTS Fest, World Championship Final” in Milan, the Grand Final of 20 Festivals (around the 5 Continents) of the “World FICTS Challenge” Worldwide Championship of Television, Cinema, Sport, Culture and Communication. The festival is recognised by the International Olympic Committee for which it promotes the values of sport through footages. The film had a 1 week theatrical release at the Historical Lumiere Music Hall theatre in Los Angeles and Qualified for the 96th Academy Awards, becoming the only New Zealand short documentary to qualify for the 96th Oscar Awards. Zakea is Among a select group of individuals who have both performed at an Olympic Opening/ Closing Ceremony and Qualified for an Academy Award, including Celine Dion, Bjork, Bryan Adams, John Legend and Sir Paul McCartney.
Zakea was honoured to be on the judging panel for the Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic Games medal design competition alongside Young leaders and IOC Youth Reporters, Gangwon 2024 youth representatives, an IOC Young Leader and an Olympian on the Olympian Artist Programme. Zakea was also a judge for the 2024 addition of the International Online Web Fest.
Clients
Awards
3 x New Zealand National Youth Art Award
2018, 2021, 2023 Finalist
Youth olympic Games Medal Design Competition
Laussane 2020, Winner
96th Academy Awards Documentary Short
2024, Qualified