On April 17, 2025, the National Cultural Commission (NCC) held a press conference at its boardroom on Level 9 of Monian Tower in downtown Port Moresby. The event was led by Mr. David Taim, Executive Manager for Festival, Marketing, Cultural Development, and Art Industry, who represented the Executive Director of NCC, Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda, MBE. Also, in attendance were Mr. Rama Undiapah, Director of Ples Marn II, Executive Producer Mr. Spencer Wangere, cast and crew of Ples Marn II, and staff from the National Cultural Commission.
The National Film Institute, under the mandate of the National Cultural Commission, is dedicated to promoting and developing the film industry in Papua New Guinea. Its core mission is to use film as a medium to record, preserve, and archive the country’s rich and diverse cultural traditions and practices and to develop the film industry in Papua New Guinea.
David Taim said, “We have not been given funding to support our filmmakers in Papua New Guinea, and to build this industry, it is something that we are closely working with the appropriate authority to see the importance of film is important. As we have started to build this film industry, we need more government support and government funding to come in to help us get the industry going.”
Ples Marn II is a film dedicated to commemorating 50 years of Papua New Guinea’s Independence. It will serve as a thoughtful tribute, documenting the country’s rich cultural traditions, social issues, and the diverse experiences of its people over the decades.
Rama Undiapah expressed his sincere gratitude to the National Cultural Commission (NCC) for their firm support in the production of Ples Marn II. He acknowledged the critical role the NCC has played in providing resources, guidance, and encouragement, which have been instrumental in bringing this significant project to fruition.
Rama Undiapah said, “The Ples Marn II movie is focused on addressing tribal conflict, sorcery-related issues, women’s empowerment, and rural development. The film will be dedicated to all the founding fathers of this country. Even though after 50 years we still thrive with the sorcery violence and tribal violence, we need to stop this. We need to change the mindset of future generations.”
Spencer Wangere, “We have learned from Ples Marn 1, and we want to take this to the next level, in terms of cinematography, storytelling, audio, and everything.”
Spencer Wangere also made an open appeal to business houses around the country to come on board and support Ples Marn II through product placement in the film. He said this is a great opportunity for companies to promote their brands while also contributing to a meaningful national project. This movie is not just entertainment. It’s about telling our stories, addressing real issues, and celebrating 50 years of Independence.
Ples Marn II not only serves as a powerful reflection of Papua New Guinea’s past and present but also acts as a call to action for a more unified and progressive future. By addressing pressing social issues and honoring the country’s history, the film aims to inspire positive change and create a sense of responsibility among future generations to move beyond violence and division.
As part of its commitment to supporting the local film industry and promoting cultural storytelling, the National Cultural Commission presented a cheque of K10,000 to Jonah Film Production. Through this partnership with UNESCO, the initiative seeks to highlight the importance of safeguarding intangible cultural heritage globally, supporting a broader mission of cultural diversity and respect for indigenous traditions ever music festival lasting for five days leading up to embrace the 50th Independence Anniversary.