Production Company Arts & Sciences Adds Michelle Savill

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Director Michelle Savill (DEGANZ) has signed with production company Arts & Sciences for US and UK commercial representation.

Ecstatic, Michelle states, “Arts & Sciences understands that powerful storytelling is layered with nuance, intimacy and dedication to craft, and I’m delighted to join the family”.

She has established herself as an emerging talent in Australia and NZ with her debut feature, Millie Lies Low. Her commercial work includes Donate Your Kit, made for Cadbury, and Sky Olympics’ Gymnastics in 2020. Michelle has also worked with Steinlager, Vodafone and more. Additionally, she has won numerous accolades, such as being nominated for the Young Director Award at Cannes Lions in 2019 and winning the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short Film at SXSW Film Festival in 2013 for her short Ellen is Leaving.

Michelle is an alumna of DEGANZ’s Emerging Women Filmmakers Incubator 2018.

Congratulations, Michelle!

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Last updated on 14 July 2022

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MSD Support to Retain, Retrain or Transition

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The Ministry of Social Development’s Redeployment Support Service has been designed to help people at risk of job displacement by supporting them to retrain and retain their employment, or transition to new and appropriate employment or upskilling opportunities.

Services are available to all employers, contractors and self-employed people. Wherever you are based in New Zealand, MSD has regional teams across the country.

MSD offer a range of Redeployment Support services, including, but not limited to:

  • One to One and/or Group Consultation for staff facing job loss
  • Linking people to new employment, training and/or upskilling opportunities
  • Advise for employers on financial support available to help retain and/or retrain staff into other areas of their business
  • Connecting employers to business support agencies
  • Providing collaborative events tailored for those at risk of losing their jobs, with a range of employers and organisations taking part

If you are or know of a business that’s struggling, someone going through a redundancy, or worried about their job, our Early Response Team is here to help. To arrange a confidential time to meet and discuss how MSD can support you, please email canterbury_redeployment_service@msd.govt.nz and one of our team will be in contact.

Download more info about the Redeployment Support Service (PDF 244KB)

Last updated on 14 July 2022

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WIFT NZ 2022 Awards

Congratulations to our member Cian Elyse White (Te Arawa, Ngāti Pikiao) for winning the SAE Award for Outstanding Newcomer and to Cushla Dillon (DEGANZ) for being a finalist for the Weta Group Creative Technology Award!

Cian Elyse White has made a name for herself as an actor, director, writer, and producer. Her 2019 short film Daddy’s Girl (Kōtiro) has made rounds in the international film circuit and went on to receive numerous awards. Recently, Cian played the role of Gloria in 2021’s Cousins.

Cushla Dillon was nominated for the Weta Groups Creative Technology Award, acknowledged for her outstanding achievement in creativity in post-production as an editor. She is a great force in the editing world with years of experience in TV, short films, and features. Cushla’s most recent projects include The Justice of Bunny King (2021), The Calf (2020), and Daffodils (2019).

The Great Southern Film & Television Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand Screen Industry went to Dr Shuchi Kothari. Shuchi is renowned for her contributions to the industry as a filmmaker, educator, mentor, and voice for Pan-Asian communities. She is currently working as the programme designer and convenor for PASC’s Episode One, a web series pilot programme. Additionally, she is the co-producer of Kāinga, a feature that brings together immigrant stories by eight Pan-Asian women writers and directors, premiering at NZIFF 2022.

The WIFT NZ Awards celebrate the achievements of wahine in the industry and provide unique networking opportunities for attendees. The event also allows WIFT to fundraise to support the organisation’s ongoing work. They presented eleven awards throughout the night to acknowledge success in film, television, screen business and craft, and industry champions.

It was great to see all the incredible women recognised for their mahi in the industry. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners of the evening!

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Last updated on 14 July 2022

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Haere Rā Derek Wooster

Derek Wooster (Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Maru, Te Ātiawa) was a veteran television director and producer, serving on the board of DEGANZ from 2002 – 2005, including as Treasurer during that time.

He started out in theatre before crossing over to TV. Derek worked at TVNZ for many years and is credited with creating and producing Māori current affairs series Marae, amongst directing and/or producing many other notable programmes for our national broadcaster and Whakaata Māori across his long career.

Derek passed away on 5 July 2022 at 77 years of age. He is fondly remembered by many.

Kua hinga te tōtara i Te Waonui-a-Tāne

Tui Ruwhiu
Executive Director

Last updated on 13 July 2022

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Jake Tabata’s The Creature Boosted Campaign Opens Soon

Jake Tabata (DEGANZ) is making his directorial debut with horror, coming-of-age web series The Creature. To make this happen, he is holding a Boosted campaign to raise $9,000, kicking off on 18 July.

The Creature follows Aidan, a young gay man, on his journey to self-acceptance. Stuck in the online dating rut of endlessly swiping with no results, Aidan is ecstatic when matched with his ‘dream man’. However, to leave for his date, Aidan must face the perturbed Creature lurking in his home’s shadows. As he challenges the Creature’s authority over him, Aidan learns that being alone doesn’t mean he has to be lonely.

This project’s kaupapa centres around authentically telling queer stories, upskilling young creatives, and ensuring accessibility (meaning it’ll be free to watch!). Ultimately, Jake and the creative team want young queer people to feel seen, heard, and validated through this story.

If you are keen to support this group of emerging filmmakers to tell this important story of young queer representation navigating romance and anxiety in the online space, visit their Boosted page.

Good luck to Jake and the rest of the production team!

Last updated on 13 July 2022

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