Our Staff

Corporate

• 

  David Strong

  Chief Executive

  Since 2006, David has been a specialist advisor to major motion pictures and international streaming TV series including Disney’s Mulan and Amazon's Lord of the Rings TV series. He has written, directed and produced several independent short films that have won awards at international film festivals, as well as collaborating on large multi-media theatre productions. One of David’s projects, The Pilgrim, is currently in development as a television drama series with Great Southern Television and TVNZ, having received development funding from NZ On Air. 

  In 2015, David was a founding member and inaugural Chair of ScreenSafe, an independent pan-industry body established to improve the New Zealand screen sector’s health and safety and ensure safe workplaces for all persons involved in screen production.

  Most recently David led the Reform of Vocational Education (RoVE), at Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua Tertiary Education Commission.

  David is a former Lieutenant Colonel with a distinguished 22-year NZ Army career serving in the Middle East, Sarajevo, Bosnia and East Timor, with two United Nations Commendations for Service to Peace.

  Born and raised in Upper Hutt, David resides in Wellington.

• 

  Mladen Ivancic

  Chief Operating Officer

  Mladen leads the NZFC’s corporate functions, ensuring appropriate support to NZFC staff and programmes across Finance, Business Affairs, Operations and HR. He supports the CEO in the leadership and management of the NZFC and contributes to the strategic direction of the organisation. He also manages co-production approval, film certification  and has input into the NZFC’s interface with Government.

• 

  Karen Anslow

  Executive Assistant to the CEO

  Karen provides executive support to the Chief Executive and the NZFC Board. Prior to joining the NZFC she was at the Ministry of Health where one of her lasting memories was supporting the executive leadership team through the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Karen has a passion for film and theatre and has spent a large part of her life singing and acting. When she was 15, she sang Somewhere Over the Rainbow with Dame Malvina Major.  She hasn’t stopped singing since.

• 

  Tayla Hancock

  Senior Policy Advisor

  Tayla provides policy and strategic advice to the NZFC team, co-ordinates our ministerial services and is leading the research and development of the NZFC Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. She has a Master’s Degree in Cultural Anthropology with experience in using visual research methods and understanding how marginalised communities are represented on screen. Prior to joining the NZFC, Tayla worked as a Senior Project Consultant for the Victoria Department of Justice in Melbourne and as a Lecturer in Cultural Anthropology at Victoria University of Wellington.

• 

  Jennifer Wilton

  Senior Policy Advisor

  Jennifer provides policy support to the NZFC team with a particular focus on the Screen Sector Funding review. She brings to the NZFC over a decade of policy experience as a Senior Policy Advisor having previously worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Career highlights include two diplomatic postings to Moscow and one to Tokyo. Immediately prior to joining the NZFC, Jennifer completed a year-long diploma in screenwriting at Vancouver Film School in Canada.

• 

  Ellie Campbell

  Communications and Engagement Manager

  Ellie helps to tell the story of Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga I The New Zealand Film Commission, and New Zealand’s dynamic screen sector to Aotearoa and the world.

  Working closely with media, she seeks stories and plots ways in which to promote filmmakers and their stories, the economic and cultural impact of New Zealand’s screen industry, NZFC grants and funding, screen sector career pathways and New Zealand’s international brand.

  Previously Ellie was at Te Papa where she worked on blockbuster exhibitions, international repatriations, iwi exhibitions and international projects.

  Ellie’s background is in TV – she lived in the UK for 12 years and she worked across documentary, factual and entertainment formats for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV.

Development and Production

Want to make a feature film or documentary? Then our Development and Production team are the people to talk to. The team is headed by Leanne Saunders and made up of members Christina Andreef, Johanna Smith, Marc Ashton, Mechele Harron, Olivier Leroy, Joel Rudolph, Linda Hughes, Vicky Jackways, Polly Fryer, Kay Ellmers and Rachel Emery. 

Turning ideas into films

This team develops exciting ideas into great films. They will tell you what we can do to help your feature or documentary idea become a film, including script, shoot and post-production. Enquiries about Early Development Fund (EDF) and Advanced Development Fund (ADF) applications should be sent to Mechele and about production investment applications should be sent to Marc. Queries about the Screen Production Recovery Fund should be directed to Vicki and about Te Puna Kairangi - Premium Fund should be directed to Rachel.

This unit’s focus is working with filmmakers to create the best possible films, so if you want general assistance with your career then you need to talk to our Talent Development team.

• 

  Leanne Saunders

  Head of Development and Production

  Leanne is responsible for overseeing the development of films from the early development stage through to the end of post-production. Her department focuses on supporting exciting ideas to become great films. 

  Leanne has over 15 years’ experience in film and television production. Her feature film credits include The Weight of Elephants, Born to Dance, The Devil’s Rock, Christmas and Desert. With Headstrong co-founder Ant Timpson, Leanne executive produced low budget features The Devil Dared Me To and A Song of Good.  More recently, through Piki Films, Leanne produced Hunt for the Wilderpeople with company partners Carthew Neal and Taika Waititi. 

• 

  Olivier Leroy

  Investment Executive

  French-born New Zealander Olivier Leroy began his film career as a Development and Production Assistant at French production company Gloria Films where he was responsible for overseeing financing applications from around the world. In this role he gained extensive experience in the logistic and legal requirements around international coproduction. He has worked at the NZFC since 2018, initially in a support role where he coordinated the Raupapa Whaakari series drama development initiative, before taking the role of Devolved Development Coordinator.

  Most recently he has coordinated the development of Te Puna Kairangi – Premium Fund.

• 

  Christina Andreef

  Development Executive

  Christina Andreef analyses feature and series scripts at all stages, and provides development advice to filmmakers.  She also gives feedback on film cuts-in-progress.  Christina is an award-winning filmmaker whose films have screened in over 80 festivals around the world - Excursion To The Bridge of Friendship (in official selection at Sundance & Cannes), The Gap (Sundance & Telluride) and Shooting The Breeze (Sundance & Berlin).  Her debut feature Soft Fruit opened the World Cinema Section of Sundance, screened in Critics’ Week in Cannes and had a U.S. theatrical release through Fox Searchlight.  In Australia it was nominated for 7 AACTA Awards including Best Original Screenplay and Best Director.  Christina has experience in screenplay adaptation and has taught screenwriting at Sydney Film School, Sydney University and University of Technology, Sydney. Having benefitted immensely from her early years as director’s assistant to Jane Campion, she finds great satisfaction in mentoring young and culturally diverse filmmakers. 

• 

  Johanna Smith

  Development Executive

  Johanna Smith (Ngāti Porou, Ngā Puhi) has worked in the screen and theatre industries in Aotearoa for over 20 years in a number of key positions including: writer, story producer, script editor, and script and development consultant.

  Jo is passionate about promoting diverse voices in the creative sector. Most recently she has been balancing her industry work with lecturing in screenwriting at Unitec’s Screen Arts degree. Writing credits currently on screen include: Shortland Street, Baby Mama’s Club (2018 NZTV Awards: Best Web Series), Baby Mama’s Club 2 and SIS (Comedy Central, Neon).

• 

  Marc Ashton

  Production Executive

  Marc’s career in film began in the early 90s in multiplex management and distribution across the east coast of Australia at the height of Hoyts Corp’s expansion. This was followed by over two decades in domestic and international film and television production; starting on the studio floor in a variety of technical crew roles. He has had a successful freelance career as assistant director and/or co-producer at the highest level of production with many prominent filmmakers both in New Zealand and Australia, as well as short stints in the US and China.  His credits as 1st AD include Top of the Lake, Hope and Wire and Boy and his co-producer credits include The Lovely Bones and Terminus.

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  Linda Hughes

  Production Executive

  Linda Hughes has joined the Development and Production team as Production Executive.  

  Linda Hughes has worked in screen and television for over 15 years in Aotearoa and the United Kingdom. She has worked in business development and department production at Amazon Studio, Wētā FX, Wētā Workshop, Discovery Channel and TVNZ. Her roles have seen her provide production support at both the show and programme level, including IP development, script analysis and breakdowns, show bibles and pitch packages, practical and VFX production management, and pipeline database management. 

• 

  Mechele Harron

  Development Coordinator

  Mechele descends from Tainui/Taranaki whakapapa, with strong ties to Tūrangawaewae Marae and Parihaka Pa.  She started her career as a news journalist before heading into the world of television and working her way up to becoming a producer at Māori Television in Tamāki Makaurau, enabling her to produce many Māori language programmes including historical documentary series and tamariki programmes.  Mechele provides administration support for the Development and Production team and is the key point of contact for feature film development enquires.

• 

  Joel Rudolph

  Development and Production Department Coordinator

  Joel has had an everchanging job description at the Film Commission, having taken on at least four different roles within the past year. Since leaving University where he gained a Masters in Theatre, he has worked on several live theatre productions in various roles including directing, stage and production management, sound design and marketing on projects ranging from devised work to opera. Standout experiences include working as the lead sound designer on a gender-swapped production of Hamlet and sitting in rehearsal rooms with an ensemble of opera singers in full voice.

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  Vicki Jackways

  Special Projects Manager

  Vicki began her film industry career in 1984 in Wellington with TVC production company Flying Fish.  In 2004 she joined Park Road Post Production as the new facility built up its client and production portfolio.  As Head of Marketing for Park Road and Stone Street and part of the senior leadership team she was  responsible for the business marketing strategy to attract and manage domestic and international projects from a financial, branding and client experience perspective. 

  Vicki has been on the Board and is currently President of WIFT NZ (Women In Film & Television) and in 2017 was a Co-Founder and Director of SETNZ (Screen Experience Trust NZ), an initiative to bring Hollywood executives into New Zealand on an eight-day familiarisation program in 2018 and 2019. 

• 

  Polly Fryer

  Kaihautū o Te Puna Kairangi / Joint Head of Te Puna Kairangi Premium Fund

  Polly is an International Emmy nominated Producer who joined Netflix in 2018 as a Production and Post Executive. 

  In 2018 she was Associate Producer on Disney live action film Mulan and producer of the Original Netflix series Dark Tourist featuring David Farrier. Polly both produced and provided finance supervision for Modern Dinosaurs which is a factual series co-production with Discovery, Arte and Prime.

  Specialising in challenging projects and innovative solutions Polly loves collaborating with others which has led to a diverse range of roles and credits covering development, financing supervision, production and post on titles such as Baby Done, Tickled, Chasing Great, The Breaker Upperers, The Day That Changed My Life, and The Goden Hour.

• 

  Kay Ellmers

  Kaihautū o Te Puna Kairangi / Joint Head of Te Puna Kairangi Premium Fund

  Kay (Ngāti Tamaterā, Ngāti Raukawa) currently Managing Director of Tūmanako Productions, is an award-winning filmmaker and past recipient of the WIFT Mana Wahine award, and Te Taura Whiri i te reo Māori Award for broadcasting Ngā Tohu Reo Māori – Te Ao Pāpāho. She has been a Consultant Commissioner Documentary and Factual programmes for Māori Television, and mentored filmmakers through WIFT’s mentorship programme.

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  Rachel Emery

  Premium Fund Project Coordinator

  Rachel comes from a television and commercial background and has a range of experience from previous positions across production company, television network, client and agency sides. She has spent most of her career in Auckland including working at TVNZ and as a commercial producer. She has also been a development executive in London.

Talent Development

Need help with your career? Want to make some connections here or overseas? Would you like to make a short film? Then contact our Talent Development team. It is led by Dale Corlett and comprises Jude McLaren, Ange Senior, Rachel Corley, Prashanth Guna and Nia Phipps.

Developing careers

Our focus is on finding, fostering, connecting and progressing exceptional New Zealand filmmaking talent. We help in the development of careers and making connections for you both here and overseas. We want to help local and expat producers, directors, writers and actors. The team is also responsible for our relationship with industry guilds and organisations, and for supporting short films, which are a valuable stepping stone to feature films. 

• 

  Dale Corlett

  Head of Talent Development

  Dale leads the Talent Development department. He is a funding decision maker on Kōpere Hou-Fresh Shorts, Catalyst He Kauahi, Talent Development Grants, the Interactive Development Fund, Boost Up and On-the-Job-Development grants. He is the lead contact with the New Zealand Screen Industry Guilds and organisations and is a decision maker on Industry Core funding programmes, Strategic Training and Diversity funding. He is also the lead on the internal NZFC Diversity and Inclusion working group. Dale is available to speak with about career progression and answer queries about all funding administered by Talent Development. Dale’s previous role since 2004 before joining NZFC was as CEO/Creative Director of GMAC Film in Scotland. He was responsible for identifying high quality emerging talent and supporting their progression from shorts to features and developing careers. He was also proactive in the creation of innovative, diversity-led and gender focused talent development programmes in Scotland. He is a graduate of Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School.

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  Jude McLaren

  Talent Pathways Manager

  Jude manages the On-the-Job Development Funding including coordinating internships, attachments, placements, and mentorships and is the lead contact for any producer enquiries for this fund. She manages the funding process for the annual Kōpere Hou - Fresh Shorts development and production process and works alongside industry partner Script to Screen to deliver the programme. She is a reader and assessor for both Kōpere Hou-Fresh Shorts and Catalyst He Kauahi shorts. Jude is available to answer filmmaker questions about On-the-Job Development as well as provide advice about career pathways and short film funding applications. Jude has extensive production and development experience in the New Zealand screen industry having worked as Production Manager, Postproduction Supervisor and Development Executive. She holds a BA in Theatre and Film from Victoria University, a Bachelor of Broadcast Communication from the New Zealand Broadcasting School, and a Certificate in Career Development with a chosen focus on the creative sector from AUT.

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  Ange Senior

  Talent Development Executive

  Ange is the key liaison person with the guilds and industry organisations. She manages the Industry Core funding programme, Strategic Training and Diversity funding, Talent Development Grants, Short Film International Festival Fund, and the Interactive Development Fund. She is also the lead contact for filmmakers regarding contracting and delivery milestones for Kōpere Hou-Fresh Shorts, Catalyst He Kauahi and Boost Up. Ange is available to provide application advice and answer filmmaker questions about short film funding, talent development grants, interactive development funding, and industry support funds. She is also a member of the internal NZFC Diversity and Inclusion working group. Prior to joining NZFC Ange spent ten years working as a Script Supervisor on a diverse range of film and television projects, from large scale television series to international feature films and short films. She holds a BA (Hons) Degree in Film Production from the National Film School of Ireland. 

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  Nia Phipps

  Capability Fund Coordinator

  Nia co-ordinates the NZFC’s Capability Funding rounds as part of the NZFCs response to COVID-19. She works closely with the industry guilds and talent development partners and is the lead contact for filmmaker enquiries for this fund. A screen producer with over 20 years’ experience. Nia has worked with brands across the screen sector such as Loading Docs, Radio New Zealand TVNZ, NZME ad Stuff delivering highly shareable content to millions of eyes. Nia and team received the 2017 NZ On Air Best web series for Loading Docs. She is part of The Rebel Film Collective and is a graduate of South Seas Film School NZ.

• 

  Rachel Corley

  Deliveries Coordinator

  Rachel (Ngā Puhi) has been a part of the NZFC whānau for over 9 years. Rachel has joined the TD team and takes care of the delivery of short films and interactive projects.

  Previously, Rachel has managed the Digitisation Programme for the NZFC and continues to do so for the Film Heritage Trust.

  Rachel has a Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications, Diploma in Photography and Graphic Design and her biggest achievements are her two amazing kids.

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  Prashanth Guna

  Talent Development Coordinator

  Prashanth Naidu Gunasekaran (PG/Shan), Malaysian born New Zealander, is the latest addition to the talent development team as the Talent Development Coordinator. Shan’s role is to coordinate the flow of Talent Development team and the external team within the organisation. Shan vows to be the voice of TD, by encouraging new and emerging talents, to utilise the platforms provided by NZFC.

  Shan comes from a theatre and independent filmmaking background, having started as a 1st AD on NZ indie film Urban Turban in 2012. Following his venture, he co-directed indie film – Destina and most recently upcoming film Stranded Pearl as well as line-produced several international features in production and post-production. In the last 10 years, he has moved into upskilling himself, by producing and directing a series of shorts, music videos and developing other projects. His films Bing Bang Blussey and Don’t F With Me were selected at regional festivals, picking up 9 nominations in total.  Aside from filmmaking, Shan enjoys acting, having featured in upcoming features, Last Star and Brave Love, cooking, soccer and, he is a qualified physiotherapist.

Marketing

Do you want to tell the world about your film? Our marketing team is run by Jasmin McSweeney and comprises of Kate Larkindale, Hayley Weston, Tracey Brown and Ariana Namana. We are focussed on getting more people watching great New Zealand feature films, both here and overseas. 

Connecting films with audiences

Jasmin is the person to talk to about dealing with sales agents, distributors and major festivals. Kate focuses on publications and marketing collateral for films, and oversees our video-on-demand (VOD) platform. Hayley co-ordinates festival submissions and assists Jasmin in promoting New Zealand films. Tracey looks after film materials and deliveries. Ariana supports the team and looks after the NZFC's social media channels. 

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  Jasmin McSweeney

  Head of Marketing

  Jasmin is responsible for the promotion and marketing of New Zealand films and the New Zealand Film Commission, in New Zealand and internationally. She consults with filmmakers, international sales agents and distributors on international film festival and market placement. Within New Zealand, she assists distributors and filmmakers to identify and engage with their film’s audience through test screenings, audience research and distribution grants. Since 2005, Jasmin has been involved with the marketing and promotion of most of the films the Film Commission has invested in including The World’s Fastest Indian, Boy, The Dark Horse, The Dead Lands, Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Pork Pie and Chasing Great.

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  Kate Larkindale

  Marketing and Communications Executive

  Kate supports Jasmin in promoting New Zealand films locally. She has over 20 years experience in exhibtion and distribution, having managed cinemas in New Zealand and Australia.  She has worked on numerous film festivals, acted as distributor for many films and been a film reviewer in print and on TV. She is also the author of four young adult novels, The Sidewalk's Regrets, Chasing the Taillights, An Unstill Life and Stumped.

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  Hayley Weston

  Film Festival and Marketing Executive

  Hayley looks after domestic and international film festival and cultural screenings. She works with Jasmin on festival release strategy, submitting the work of our talented short and feature filmmakers, preparing for major international showcase markets and arranging delivery. With nearly 20 years’ experience in theatrical, festival and home entertainment distribution and marketing, Hayley has previously worked with Rialto Distribution, Reading Entertainment, Roadshow Films and as a guest Short Film Competition Juror for the Melbourne International Film Festival.

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  Ariana Namana

  Marketing Coordinator

  As the Marketing Coordinator, Ariana (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa) assists with the day-to-day management of the Marketing team. She works with Jasmin to hold test screenings, organise exit surveys, and runs the NZFC's social media platforms.

  Ariana has come from a hospitality and cinema operations background, but her goal has always been to work in the film industry. Ariana graduated from Te Whare Wānanga o Ōtākou (University of Otago) in 2020, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications, with a minor in film and media

Te Rautaki Māori

Do you have a great Māori story you want to tell? We greatly value our unique Māori culture, and films with strong cultural elements are among the most successful in which we have invested , both here and overseas. 

Our team

Karen Te O Kahurangi Waaka is the NZFC's Pou Whakahaere and leads on implementing Te Rautaki Māori with assistance from Kathryn Graham.  Feel free to contact any one of these staff members with enquiries related to Māori stories. We want to help you make great Māori films for global audiences. 

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  Karen Te O Kahurangi Waaka

  Pou Whakahaere

  Karen is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the NZFC’s Te Rautaki Māori. She is of Te Arawa descent, born and raised in Rotorua. Waaka is a producer with extensive experience in governance, culture, intellectual property rights, iwi and community organisations as well as active involvement in Māori screen issues. For the past 15 years she has been producer for Kura Productions, working with Quinton Hita on a range of television productions using te reo Māori. She has served as a board member of Ngā Aho Whakaari - the Māori in Film & Television collective and prior to her screen industry career, she worked extensively in the tourism industry in Rotorua.

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  Kathryn Ariana Graham

  Whakawhanake Hinonga/ Māori Development Executive

  Iwi: Ngati Koroki Kahukura

  Kathryn is responsible for developing talent across the Māori film industry, encouraging more Māori and Pasifika people to engage with the NZFC and implementing of the NZFC’s Te Rautaki Māori. Kathryn has worked as a creative director in the television industry across a wide genre of content from kids to primetime documentary. For the last 17 years Graham has been working inside the broadcast networks as a Commissioning Editor for both Television New Zealand and Māori Television supporting Māori and the use of te reo Māori inside the network environment and encouraging a diversity of content on mainstream networks.

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  Nkhaya Paulsen-More

  Kaiwhakarite Rautaki Māori

  Nkhaya (Ngāti Maru (Hauraki), Ngāruahine, Ngāti Pūkenga), a proud descendant of Māori and coloured South African heritage, oversees the general day-to-day functioning of Te Rautaki Māori, ensuring everything runs smoothly within the team. She also manages general queries for filmmakers when they first engage with Te Rautaki Māori.

  Nkhaya hails from the creative writing industry and has published personal essays in Massive, Te Pararē, and Turbine | Kapohau. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Creative Writing from Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa (Massey University), and a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.

International Team

The International Team looks after Incentives, International Screen Attraction and International Relations. This team works with many organisations and individuals both here and overseas. Catherine Bates administers the Government’s New Zealand Screen Production Grant (NZSPG).  Chris Payne connects New Zealand and international talent and works with government agencies offshore on co-production treaties. Philippa Mossman is responsible for attracting international productions to New Zealand and connecting them with our local industry.

Support team

Supporting Catherine, Chris and Philippa are Mel Read, Jacqui Wood, Nicola Lemberg, Jane Simons, Tom Kelly, Monique Andrews and Pam McCabe.

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  Catherine Bates

  Head of Incentives

  Catherine manages the NZSPG, with a particular focus on the 5% Uplift, an additional grant that international productions which qualify for the 20% NZSPG and offer significant economic benefits to New Zealand may apply to receive. She is the New Zealand Film Commission's first point of contact for New Zealand government agencies in relation to the 5% Uplift and works closely with international productions and New Zealand government partners to deliver strong outcomes for all. Catherine began her career at Tourism New Zealand and whilst there was involved with the development of the New Zealand destination brand and global 100% Pure New Zealand campaign. Highlights of her career include development of the New Zealand Story and leadership of the NZ Inc Hobbit leverage programme, in particular the NZ Inc relationship with Wingnut Films and Warner Bros Los Angeles. 

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  Chris Payne

  Head of International Relations

  Chris facilitates introductions, relationships and opportunities for New Zealand filmmakers and international partners.  He is the New Zealand Film Commission’s first point of contact for overseas posts and the Film Commission’s sister agencies internationally.  Chris works with the Head of Incentives to secure effective talent development outcomes for New Zealand filmmakers on international productions seeking the 5% Uplift. Chris has worked in development and production in New Zealand and Japan for well over a decade.  In addition to feature film, Chris has worked across television, commercials and music videos, as well as in business development roles in the corporate sector.

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  Philippa Mossman

  Head of International Screen Attraction

  Philippa is the key conduit between overseas production customers and local industry specialists.  She oversees the provision of specialist screen services, including an international screen business enquiry service, and manages key relationships with New Zealand’s major international production customers. She has more than 25 years’ experience in the New Zealand production sector, including at state broadcaster Television New Zealand, where she held senior roles in production, commissioning, channel management and partnership.

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  Mel Read

  Incentives Executive

  Mel is part of the team responsible administering the New Zealand Screen Production Grant (NZSPG) for both international and New Zealand productions. Mel has previously worked in radio broadcasting and marketing, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Film & Theatre from Victoria University of Wellington. 

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  Tom Kelly

  Incentives Executive

  Tom began his career in the Scotland as production manager of shorts and factual television. Since becoming a New Zealander he has worked on local and international films including Mulan, Coming Home in the Dark, Shopping, and Second Hand Wedding, as well as a wide range of documentary television shows.  Most recently he has been working at the NZFC coordinating the Screen Production Recovery Fund.

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  Monique Andrews

  Incentives Coordinator

  As the Incentives Coordinator Monique assists with the administration of the NZSPG New Zealand and International.

  Previously she worked her way around the accounts departments on film productions in the Wellington region, as a Clerk, Payroll Assistant and Assistant Accountant. Monique has a Bachelor of Communications from Massey University.

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  Jacqui Wood

  International Enquiries Executive

  Jacqui is the enquiries manager, providing responses to location, facilities and crew advice requests. She has several years of experience as a film commissioner in the South Island and has worked with leading New Zealand producers and directors as a production coordinator on feature films and television series. 

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  Pam McCabe

  Office Coordinator

  Pam supports the staff in the international area's enquiries and incentives teams and is likely to be the first person you meet when you engage with them.

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  Nicola Lemberg

  Promotions Coordinator

  Nicola coordinates the PR and Promotions for the New Zealand Screen Production Grant. She comes from a background in film studio release publicity and social media marketing. Nicola graduated from AUT University in 2014 with a Bachelor of Communications, majoring in Television and Screen Production.

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  Jane Simons

  International Attractions Coordinator

  Jane assists the Attractions Team with enquiries from and outreach to international productions considering New Zealand as a filming destination. She has a background in VFX production with previous roles at Rushes Postproduction, Moving Picture Company and Weta Digital. She has also worked in the Development & Production team at the New Zealand Film Commission, and more recently, has been working on-set on a number of international and local productions. She is a graduate of Victoria University of Wellington with a BA degree in Film & Art History.

Legal and Business Affairs

The Legal and Business Affairs team is Katie Baker, Kate Mooney, Grace Alexander and Bonnie Mahon.

Katie, Grace, Kate and Bonnie are responsible for all contractual matters and manage the Te Ahi Kā programme as well as providing legal support across the orgnaisation. 

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  Katie Baker

  Legal and Business Affairs Manager

  Katie provides commercial and legal advice.  She deals with a broad range of contractual and compliance matters  including those related to film closings. Katie gained experience in commercial law firms in New Zealand (including as an external advisor to the Film Commission) and in the United Kingdom. Katie works part time and looks after her two young children when she isn’t at the Film Commission.

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  Bonnie Mahon

  Business Affairs Executive

  Bonnie works across all areas in the Business Affairs team, providing legal advice within the NZFC on a broad range of contractual and other legal matters. Bonnie has legal experience in both the public and private sectors in New Zealand and is excited to put this to use in the film industry. She has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Otago University.

  Bonnie is currently on maternity leave.

   

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  Kate Mooney

  Business Affairs Executive

  Kate provides legal and administrative support to the Business Affairs team. She graduated from Victoria University of Wellington with a conjoint Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Film and Media, and completed an exchange to Stockholm University, Sweden in 2016. Having also worked at the Light House Cinema, Kate is passionate about the film industry, particularly the behind-the-scenes work that goes into making it all happen.

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  Grace Alexander

  Business Affairs Executive

  Grace has a background in entertainment and commercial law, having previously acted for producers and other creatives at a specialist entertainment law firm. She has experience providing advice and support across many legal aspects of the screen industry, from financing and development to production and distribution. At the NZFC, Grace supports the Business Affairs team by providing legal assistance on a broad range of contractual and commercial matters, including film closings.

Finance

Our Finance team is headed by Mladen Ivancic and includes Raewyn Young, Dominique Fromont and Carol Wang. They are responsible for managing the New Zealand Film Commission's finances.

What we do

Mladen is responsible for the administration of co-production applications and works alongside Government agencies on the negotiation of new co-production agreements. Raewyn oversees financial management for the organisation.Dominique manages royalty reports and film income from domestic and international distributors, sales agents and collection agencies. 

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  Raewyn Young

  Finance Manager

  Raewyn manages the financial information systems for the New Zealand Film Commission.  She also manages the film income account and distributes collected royalties to investors and filmmakers.  Raewyn has many years' experience, working predominately in the public sector, especially in infrastructure, health and education.  Raewyn is a Chartered Accountant (CA) and a member of CA ANZ.

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  Dominique Fromont

  Film Income Manager

  Dominique is responsible for royalties collection, including monitoring reports and income from international collection agencies.  Prior to coming to the New Zealand Film Commission, Dominique worked at various arts and film organisations including Three Foot Six Ltd, Film New Zealand, Wingnut Films and the New Zealand International Arts Festival.

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  Carol Wang

  Assistant Accountant

  Carol works on the management of financial information for the organisation, and to provide general assistance to Film Commission staff with financial administration.

Resources

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  Rowan Aitken

  System Administrator

  Rowan has responsibility for ensuring our IT runs smoothly.  Rowan has had a long and varied 30+ year career in IT, working in New Zealand, the UK and Australia in a range of industries as diverse as Customs, wholesale food distribution, life insurance and policing.  Before starting at the New Zealand Film Commission he was responsible for IT at the New Zealand Festival.

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  Virginia Ng

  People and Culture Manager

  Virginia looks after the human resources function at NZFC supporting the CEO and Leadership team as well as the staff.

  She has over 15 years' experience in HR, Workforce Development, Recruitment and Resourcing working in both the private and public sectors.    

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  Frankie Finnigan

  Business Support Administrator

  Frankie provides support to the Resources team and wider NZFC to ensure the smooth running of the workplace. Her role has a focus on the working environment, public enquiries, and health & safety.  Prior to the NZFC she has worked in similar roles at Wētā Digital and Oranga Tamariki. She is fluent in Italian and is currently learning Te Reo Māori and Spanish.