Saebyul Koata

Directing

Born May 29, 1999 · New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand

Saebyul F. T. Koata is Māori a director, writer, actor, and producer whose work spans many genres but most notably horror and science fiction. Known most notably for the 2023 film The Wētā, created in collaboration with Hayden Smithie, they have a reputation for blending genre filmmaking with social consciousness and fun. Beyond cinema, Saebyul is recognized for their activism in support of Palestine, Māori rights, animal protection, and climate justice. With a background in criminology and active involvement in politics, Saebyul brings a unique perspective to storytelling, often weaving themes of justice, identity, and resistance into creative projects. A multiple graduate with a Diploma in Screen Production, Korean Language Certification, Certificate of SFX Makeup, and currently enrolled in a Bachelor of Art in Korean and Criminology, and a Bachelor of Global Studies in Politics and Human Rights. They are of mixed Māori Pacifika and European decent, coming from mainly Ngāti Koata and Ngāti Toa iwis. They often express wanting to explore the crossroads of culture, and advocacy, using the screen and multimedia as a platform to amplify marginalized voices and wanting to challenge more mainstream narratives and bring in more laws to protect artists, indigenous peoples, animals, and the planet.