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INK AND GOLD

Currently in the final stages of development as a premium hybrid docuseries.

The Oscar-qualified documentary short film Ink and Gold: An Artist’s Journey to Olympic Glory follows the remarkable journey of New Zealand artist and athlete Zakea Page, whose winning design for the Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympic Games medal competition fulfilled a lifelong dream—not only to see his artwork carried onto the world stage, but to perform at the Games’ Opening Ceremony.

Zakea’s debut film has achieved extraordinary international recognition, earning Official Selection at 87 film festivals across 44 countries and receiving 79 awards to date, including 46 Best Film Awards. Among its honors is the FICTS Award in the Olympic Storytellers section at SPORT MOVIES & TV 2023 – 40th Milano International FICTS Fest in Milan, Italy.

Shot over one week in Lausanne, Switzerland, during the 2020 Youth Olympic Games, the film combines footage captured during the Games with self-taped material documenting Zakea’s formative years as both an athlete and artist. Through intimate interviews with his family and a deeply personal visual narrative, Ink and Gold explores the powerful intersection of art and sport and their ability to transcend language, culture and geography—creating connections, fostering mutual understanding and inspiring respect. At its heart is a challenge to the notion that young people must choose between artistic and athletic pursuits.

The story and artwork reflect Zakea’s extraordinary multicultural upbringing as the child of international teachers and his experiences living in New Zealand, Kuwait, Viet Nam, England, Bangladesh and China. These influences became the foundation for his Olympic medal design, “Beauty in Diversity,” created to embody the Olympic ideals of respect, friendship and excellence while honoring every athlete’s—and, in this case, artist’s—journey to the Games.

Throughout his childhood, Zakea was inspired by the ideals of the Olympic movement and Pierre de Coubertin’s vision of uniting muscles and mind. The film explores this enduring philosophy and its belief in the power of athletic competition to build understanding across cultures while promoting fairness, ethics, respect and fellowship.

     “THE IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT THE TRIUMPH BUT THE STRUGGLE, THE ESSENTIAL THINGS IS NOT TO HAVE CONQUERED BUT TO HAVE FOUGHT WELL." - Pierre de Coubertin

That philosophy took on an even deeper meaning for Zakea through the work of American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou, whose writing emphasized the importance of embracing and valuing human diversity. In keeping with those ideals, Zakea surrounded himself with a diverse, inclusive and multicultural production team representing New Zealand, England, India and the United States.

Poetic, uplifting and deeply human, Ink and Gold is ultimately a portrait of a young artist and athlete searching for connection and discovering the limitless possibilities that emerge when creativity, sport and humanity intersect.

FROM OSCAR-QUALIFYING SHORT TO PREMIUM HYBRID DOCUSERIES

Following its extraordinary festival and awards journey, Ink and Gold: Where Sport Meets Art is now in the final stages of development as a premium hybrid docuseries, expanding the vision of the original award-winning short into a global exploration of artist-athletes who are using art, sport, culture and personal identity as powerful forces for connection and change.

Moving beyond a single individual's journey, the series will introduce audiences to remarkable artist-athletes from around the world whose creative and athletic pursuits extend far beyond personal achievement. Through their work, these individuals are shaping conversations, strengthening communities, challenging perceptions and creating meaningful impact in the world around them.

At the heart of the series is the belief that art and sport are universal languages—capable of transcending borders, cultures and differences while fostering understanding, connection and a shared sense of humanity. Each story offers a unique perspective on identity, purpose and the transformative power of pursuing both the creative and athletic dimensions of who we are.

Blending the intimacy and authenticity of documentary storytelling with a cinematic, character-driven approach, the premium hybrid format will create a visually rich and emotionally compelling series with an international scope and universal resonance.