Don Selwyn

Who was Don Selwyn?

Don Charles Selwyn, ONZM was a Maori actor and film director from New Zealand. He was a founding member of the New Zealand Maori Theatre Trust and directed the 2002 film The Merchant of Venice, the first Maori language feature film with English subtitles.

Born of Ngati Kuri and Te Aupouri descent, Selwyn grew up in Taumarunui and began his professional life as a teacher. In 1984 he began a film and television training course for Maori and Pacific Islanders. In 1992 he co-founded He Taonga Films. In 2007 the Arts Foundation of New Zealand selected him for an Icon Award, which was awarded to him privately shortly before he died.

Selwyn was made an ONZM in the 199 New Year Honours, for services to theatre, film and television.