Issue date: 
Wednesday, 15 July 2020

Fifteen filmmakers have been matched with experienced New Zealand filmmakers in the inaugural round of Hunga Taunaki ā Rorohiko, the New Zealand Film Commission’s (NZFC) new online mentorship programme.  Hunga Taunaki ā Rorohiko refers to working with others and recognising that it takes more than one person to help achieve your aspirations.

43 applications were received from writers, directors, cinematographers and production designers at a mid-career level.  Applicants were matched with experienced filmmakers from a pool of mentors.

All applicants presented a long-form project in development, indicating the support they were seeking from the mentorship.  To ensure the best possible match was made mentors were interviewed about the kinds of projects they would be interested in and what they were looking for in a mentee.

A shortlist of two applicants were put forward to each mentor who then had to make the challenging decision as to who they wished to work with.  Writer-director Roger Donaldson was so impressed with the quality of his applicants, he chose to mentor both.

Mentorships will take place over nine weeks between July and September 2020, with a minimum of eight conversations between the mentors and mentees scheduled.  Each mentee will write a 200-word reflection after each session.

“Having a mentor is universally acknowledged as one of the most effective ways for filmmakers to progress in their careers” says Annabelle Sheehan, NZFC CEO.  “We are so pleased that such significant New Zealand filmmakers have agreed to be mentors and to share their amazing experience and creative perspectives.   I know each of the successful applicants will take full advantage of this opportunity and I look forward to seeing how their projects progress as a result.”

The fifteen filmmakers selected for the programme are:

  • Jess Charlton, who will be mentored by cinematographer Ginny Loane to further her work on a feature film drama
  • Tracey Collins, who will be mentored by production designer Ra Vincent to further her work on a YA action/drama series
  • Lucy Suess, who will be mentored by writer-director Dame Gaylene Preston to further develop a feature film drama
  • Josephine Stewart Te-Whiu, who will be mentored by writer-director Alison Maclean to further develop a feature film drama
  • Abi King-Jones, who will be mentored by writer-director Tusi Tamasese to further develop a feature film biography
  • Briar March, who will be mentored by writer-director Roger Donaldson to further develop a feature documentary
  • Dane Giraud, who will be mentored by writer-director Roger Donaldson to further develop a horror/thriller feature film
  • Kent Briggs, who will be mentored by writer-director Rob Sarkies to further develop a drama crime series
  • Alyx Duncan, who will be mentored by director Christine Jeffs to further develop a feature film drama
  • Gwen Isaacs, who will be mentored by documentary makers Miriam Smith and Chris Pryor to further develop a feature documentary
  • Angeline Loo, who will be mentored by writer Duncan Sarkies to further develop a feature film thriller
  • Ness Simons, who will be mentored by writer Nick Ward to further develop a drama series
  • Kathleen Mantel, who will be mentored by writer Briar Grace-Smith to further develop a documentary feature
  • Wade Shotter, will be mentored by writer Oscar Kightley to further develop a comedy/drama series
  • Millen Biard, who will be mentored by writer Glenn Standring to further develop a comedy/drama series.
Last updated: 
Wednesday, 15 July 2020