SPEAKER SERIES
BREAKING INTO FILM:
NAVIGATING THE BUSINESS LANDSCAPE
PANELISTS: Sam Wright, David Cai, Josiah Clumont, Prashanth Guna, Tom Kay
Unlock the secrets to success in the film industry with our panel discussion. Join us as we demystify the complexities of the film business and provide invaluable insights into launching your career in this dynamic field.
Sam is a New Zealand/German producer whose passion for filmmaking was ignited at the age of 16 when he produced and acted in multiple award-winning short films for the 48-Hour Film Competition. His company, Acedia Pictures, has worked with prominent clients such as ANZ, Barfoot & Thompson, advertising agencies, the University of Auckland, and many more.
David Cai moved from China to New Zealand in 2016, and found his true storytelling medium though the 48-Hour Film Festivals. As the Co-Founder and Director at Acedia Pictures, he has been a driving force behind all film and advertisement projects since March 2022. Acedia Pictures has built up a portfolio in both narrative filmmaking and commercial advertisement.
Josiah Clumont's emotional intelligence combined with a sensitivity to getting viral shots, makes for plenty of captivating on-screen content. His emotional understanding of technical set requirements and of actors, has given Josiah fluidity of being behind camera and directing. His film work has been nominated for TikTok's Short Film Competition as an Australasian Finalist.
Prashanth Guna is a Malaysian born filmmaker who has been involved in the NZ Screen Sector for just over a decade. He directed and produced films such as 'Bing Bang Blussey', 'My Rock', 'Last Star', 'Irumanam' and 'Don't F With Me'. Upcoming films include 'Broken Promise', 'The Trade', 'The Seed', 'Falling Apart', Murder or Suicide', 'For Whom' and the feature film 'Stranded Pearl' which is soon to have its theatrical release. He founded PG6 Creations and collaborates with MNC Film Studios, Rising Phoenix Films and Taxi Clubs Films.
FROM NOVELS TO SCREENPLAYS:
LEE MURRAY'S INSIGHTFUL JOURNEY
Lee Murray shares the nuances, challenges, and creative shifts encountered in adapting her storytelling skills for the screen. Explore the differences in narrative structure, character development, and pacing between these two mediums, and gain valuable insights into the art of crafting compelling stories for both page and screen.
Lee Murray is an author, editor, poet and screenwriter. A USA Today Bestselling author with 40 titles to her credit, Lee is the winner of multiple Sir Julius Vogel, Australian Shadows, Bram Stoker awards, and is her country's only recipient of the Shirley Jackson Award for psychological horror. An Honorary Literary Fellow of the New Zealand Society of Authors and a Grimshaw Sargeson Fellow, Lee holds a Prime Minister's Award for Literary Achievement in Fiction. She is co-writer of forthcoming feature drama 'Grafted', a Murray Francis/Leela Menon film by Bafta-nominated director Sasha Rainbow, and a cast member of TV documentary series 'Madness and Writers: The Untold Truth'.
EMPOWERING PERSPECTIVES:
WOMEN IN FILM
PANELISTS: Kate Silcock, Citizen Audrey, Nina reed
An engaging panel discussion that celebrates the contributions and challenges of women in the film industry. Our esteemed panelists bring diverse expertise and experiences to the table, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of filmmaking.
Kate Silcock is a New Zealand based Casting Director. She comes from a background in acting and has been working in the film industry since she was 18 years old. Within her casting career, Kate has cast around 30 different productions, spanning film, commercial and music videos. She specialises in the street casting and assembling unique, diverse talent for a wide variety of productions.
Audrey first gained traction when a clip of her music got over 1 million plays in just a few days. Audrey is also an actor and voice over artist. Her original short film was chosen as a top 10 finalist from Australia and New Zealand and selected to go before the TikTok 2022 Cannes Film Festival judging panel. She has also starred in the local Bay of Plenty film productions, which saw her touring locations throughout the North Island. Audrey has written her music videos and visually directed her art. She is currently studying acting through her connections in LA, she is also in the process of concluding her first EP.
YOUNG VOICES, BIG SCREENS:
INSIGHTS FROM UNDER 25 FILMMAKERS
PANELISTS: Luka Tomić, David Cai, Chai Raker-Forbes, Zoe Rei
Embark on a journey into the world of filmmaking with our captivating panel discussion. We shine a spotlight on the next generation of talented filmmakers and uncover their unique perspectives, experiences, and creative processes.
Luka Tomić is a Serbian filmmaker currently operating our of New Zealand. While his earlier work is firmly planted in the realm of fiction, Luka has been branching out into non-fiction with the release of his most recent series, 'Dream Cabal'. Its first episode, titled 'Ad Break', is a compilation of the unaltered commercials from various parts of the word with the goal of examining the values propagated within.
David Cai moved from China to New Zealand in 2016, and found his true storytelling medium though the 48-Hour Film Festivals. As the Co-Founder and Director at Acedia Pictures, he has been a driving force behind all film and advertisement projects since March 2022. Acedia Pictures has built up a portfolio in both narrative filmmaking and commercial advertisement.
Chai Ruakere-Forbes' focus lies on empowering the oppressed through his filmmaking. His most recent documentary, 'Dream Cabal', centers on the manipulation of the average person at the hands of the ruling class. The first episode of the series titled 'Ad Break', looks at the way advertising is used to pass on values beneficial to those in power.
Zoe Rei films are a unique blend of music, visual arts, and literature, influenced by her background in rock bands, painting, design, and photography. Her journey includes winning her first film contests in both 2018 and 2019, securing 1st place in her category and the supreme award sponsored by Weta Workshop. Building on this success, one of Zoe's films earned a gold prize at the 2023 Q Awards, and best editing in the International Youth Silent Film Festival National Finals.