Taika Waititi is a film and television director, actor, screenwriter, and producer from New Zealand. His mother is from Russian and Jewish descent, while his father is of Māori descent. Māori are members of the Polynesian people in New Zealand.
He attended college in New Zealand and was part of a comedic touring group and comedic TV show. After receiving an Academy Award nomination in 2003 for Best Live-Action Short Film, he began to focus more on directing and film. In 2010, Waititi wrote and filmed a movie called, Boy. It was set in a Māori town and got immediate praise in New Zealand, earning him a nomination for a Grand Jury Prize and high praise at the Sundance Film Festival.
He made his way to Hollywood directing and collaborating on many popular films. He won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Jo Jo Rabbit, which he also directed. He also directed Thor: Ragnarok, which was received well by audiences. In addition, Taika Waititi has directed an episode of the Disney + TV series, The Mandalorian, and is set to direct a future Star Wars Film. Taika Waititi includes much of his Māori culture into his films and even does a “Welcome to Country” ceremony at the start of filming. This ceremony is a celebration of one’s identity and culture, and provides everyone with a sense of belonging.