Wednesday
24
Nov
2021
Thriving in the South Island

Thriving in the South Island

Posted Thursday 18 Nov 2021

It's a long time since WIFT NZ has enticed Janine Morell-Gunn out of her office to be on a panel so we're delighted she will be sharing her experiences on building a screen industry business in the South Island at our upcoming workshop!
Facilitated by Bree Loverich, Manager of Screen CanterburyNZ, Janine will be joined by three other successful South Island-based women: Amanda Jenkins of AJ Films, Kim Georgine of Cathouse Films, and Anna Canton of Annakey Productions.

WIFT NZ members free; non-members $15 cash at the door (sorry eftpos isn't available).

Some of the topics and questions the panel will explore are: 

  • What does a sustainable career in the screen sector mean?
  • What type of roles are available to screen contractors in Christchurch?
  • What type of pathways are available into the screen sector?
  • What does development look like?
  • How does diversity and inclusion fit into this sustainability model?
  • What is Christchurch doing to nurture growth in the our local screen industry? What do we need to nurture more?
  • How has COVID changed the industry in Christchurch? How can we manage these changes? 
  • What is coming up for Screen Canterbury?

Delivered in partnership with Screen CanterburyNZ and University of Canterbury

 

About the panellists:

Amanda Jenkins, Line Producer, Producer - AJ Films
For the past 20 years Amanda has been a producer in the international advertising sector working abroad and in New Zealand. Beginning her career as a videographer on Heavenly Creatures and The Frighteners, she trained at TVNZ, and has produced three NZFC short films, one of which - Closer - was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the 2004 Cannes festival. She has been location manager for When Strangers Appear and location coordinator for Netflix feature The Royal Treatment. Now pivoting back into feature film and documentary, she is in postproduction for 2021 Loading Docs, whilst line producing new feature films in development slated to shoot in the South Island. 

Anna Canton, Creative Producer – Annakey Productions
Anna's short films Gravel 3000 and the award-winning Model 15 have played at local and international festivals, and she is currently co-producing a feature, The Pissy Tits Street Gang, with Nadia Maxwell. Another short, Homecoming, has received Fresh Shorts funding from Script-to-Screen. Anna was also the line producer on the short film The Meek directed by Gillian Ashurst, and she works as a marketing manager, specialising in brand and strategy.

Janine Morell Gunn, Producer - Whitebait Media
Janine Morrell-Gunn is one of New Zealand's leading children's television producers. She began her TV career in 1985 as a trainee director and producer at TVNZ, and went on to become executive producer of TVNZ's Children's Unit. In the late 1990s she formed Whitebait Productions (now Whitebait Media) with her husband Jason Gunn, and by 2009 the company employed 140 staff, and had opened a $7 million studio facility. Whitebait Media revamped New Zealand's longest-running children's programme, What Now?, and has dominated Kiwi children's TV with weekday shows like The Erin Simpson Show and The 4.30 Show.

Kim Georgine, Director – Cat House Films
Kim has worked professionally in film, TV and video production for over 20 years. She is experienced in script reading and coverage, and pitch and proposal writing. Kim is a co-founder of Cathouse Films, which specialises in creating content for business websites, and product/service promotional videos.

Date: Wednesday 24 November 2021
Time: 6pm drinks for a 6.30pm start
Location: John Britten Building - Ground Floor Foyer 69 Creyke Road · University of Canterbury.

Date: Wednesday 24 Nov 2021
Location: John Britten Building - Ground Floor Foyer 69 Creyke Road, Cnr Creyke Rd and Engineering Rd · University of Canterbury · Christchurch
Time: 6pm drinks for a 6.30pm start

Wednesday
24
Nov
2021

Upcoming events...

Wednesday 18 Jun 2025

Wift & Wine WELLINGTON

“A Toast to Creativity, Connection, and Community”

PLEASER NOTE WE HAVE A WAIT LIST FOR THIS EVENT SO IF YOU ARE NO LONGER ABLE TO ATTEND PLEASE EMAIL US AND LET US KNOW!

Join us for an evening of relaxed networking with fellow WIFT NZ members. WIFT and Wine!

Whether you're celebrating achievements, navigating challenges, or simply looking to connect, this is your chance to unwind, share experiences, and support one another during this extremely challenging time in our industry.

A big ngā mihi to Dragonfly for hosting and helping bring us all together. We look forward to welcoming you!


PLEASE REGISTER HERE!


WIFT & WINE at Dragonfly.

Members free, non-members $20 
Delicious Asian inspired Dragonfly courtyard bites included. 
CASH BAR!!! $8 per glass! Wine Wednesday at Dragonfly

 

Wednesday 25 Jun 2025

Wift & Wine AUCKLAND

“A Toast to Creativity, Connection, Community and Cinema!”

Join us for a special edition of WIFT & Wine — an evening of relaxed networking, connection, and celebration before we head out to support wāhine-led films at DOC EDGE’s Auckland opening night!

We’ve shifted the timing slightly so you can enjoy a drink, some cheese (who doesn't love cheese), and great company with fellow WIFT members — then head out to one of two DOC EDGE WORLD PREMIERE screenings, both directed and produced by incredible wāhine storytellers.

A big ngā mihi to The Spinoff for hosting and helping bring us all together.

PLEASE NOTE IF YOU CAN NO LONGER ATTEND EMAIL US AND LET US KNOW!  THERE IS A WAIT LIST FOR THIS EVENT!

We look forward to seeing you there!

📅 Date: Wednesday 25 June 2025
📍 Location: The Spinoff, access between 6 & 6A Western Springs Road, Morningside, Auckland
🕠 Time: 5:30PM – 7:30PM
💵 Cost: Free for WIFT NZ members; $20 for non-members
👉 WIFT AND WINE TICKETS HERE


DOC EDGE OPENING NIGHT LED BY WĀHINE!

🎬 No Tears On The Field - BOOK HERE FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: The Capitol Cinema, Auckland

🎬 Three Days In February - BOOK HERE FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE
Time: 8:15 PM
Location: Bridgeway Cinema, Auckland

Please note: Tickets for the DOC EDGE screenings must be purchased directly via the Doc Edge website.

Programme is brought to you with generous support from the NZ Film Commission and Foundation North.