The Global Search for Education: Imagination, Magic, and Love: A Conversation with Nicholas Riini on A Morning with Aroha

This month, audiences can screen A Morning With Aroha on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated by Planet Classroom.

A Morning with Aroha, directed by Nicholas Riini, follows a young girl named Aroha as she uses her imagination to bring joy to her family, friends, and neighbors.

With a bit of magic, her creativity blossoms, spreading aroha (love) throughout her community. This heartfelt short film celebrates art, family, and the power of imagination.

The Global Search for Education is pleased to welcome Nicholas Riini.

Nicholas, A Morning with Aroha explores the intersection of creativity, imagination, and family. What inspired you to tell Aroha’s story, and how did you approach blending magic with real-life themes?

I created this film from a mix of life experience, raising our (gifted) special needs daughter, and the need to entertain as a filmmaker. Everything I create has a sense of magical realism. I think it’s my desire to believe that society could be better if we added a little magic to our lives and imagined our dreams coming true.

The use of art as a means of connection is central to this film. How did you conceptualize the visual representation of Aroha’s imagination?

In the beginning, I had grand ideas of this big graphic animation splurged all over the screen, but then I realized that’s not how kids think when they create. I wanted to show it as real and as understandable as possible.

The concept of “aroha” (love) plays a vital role in the film. How did this theme shape the emotional arc of the story, and how did you ensure it resonated throughout the narrative?

Aroha, or love, can and will overcome anything if you allow it. Aroha is prominent in all my stories in varying ways. I truly fell in love with my wife and daughters, and it seems to come out when I write. I want the audience to feel what I feel.

The film balances whimsical fantasy with grounded, real-world elements. What challenges did you face in striking that balance, and how did you bring it to life on screen?

I know I should say it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but honestly, it was easy. I had a great crew helping me get it in the can. My wife, who co-produced with me, made sure I stayed on task. We had Iti Pounamu’s parents on set every day — Itu plays Aroha. Raising a special needs child ourselves, we had an idea of how to proceed and keep it in the moment. In essence, we kept it as real as possible and let it unfold naturally.

Thank you, Nicholas!

C. M. Rubin with Nicholas Riini

Don’t miss A Morning With Aroha, now streaming on the Planet Classroom Network. This film is curated by Planet Classroom.