Sergio Mata’u Rapu was born on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), the most remote island in the Pacific, at a time when it had very little contact with the outside world. There, surrounded by a simple life within a rich cultural heritage, he gained an appreciation for the power of story to build community and compassion between people. Years later his family moved to the US and Sergio studied TV production at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, CA. Since then, he has produced documentary specials and series that have aired on History, Travel, Discovery, National Geographic, and PBS. His latest feature film, EATING UP EASTER, focuses on the social and environmental issues plaguing his island home due to a booming tourism industry. Eating up Easter garnered multiple awards internationally and was broadcast on PBS’ Independent Lens in May of 2020. Today, Sergio and partner organizations continue to use the film to engage communities on topics of waste reduction and environmental conservation. Through his work, Sergio aims to showcase the diversity of life through thought-provoking media that inspires resolutions to social, economic, and environmental conflicts.

At NATIFS, Sergio is overseeing educational video production, including Indigenous cooking and Native cultural resources, social media stylings and podcast design and production.