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...

Thursday 12 Mar 2026

WIFT Awards 2026

The Women In Film & Television (WIFT NZ) Awards will take place on 12th March 2026 at St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland.

A time for us to celebrate the achievements of the wonderful women in our screen industry!

Date: Thursday 12th March 2026
Time: 7pm - 11pm
Venue: St Matthew-in-the-City, Auckland

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS VIA HUMANITIX

Forget everything you think you know about awards ceremonies. Yes, we're celebrating incredible women across our industry. From emerging talents to legends who've shaped New Zealand screen. But this is no stuffy gala!

You walk into the stunning St Matthew-in-the-City, welcome drink in hand. The room is buzzing. MC Kate Rodger brings the laughs and the heart. Surprises unfold throughout the night (we're not spoiling them, you'll have to be there). And when the formalities wrap? The dance floor opens and we raise the roof.

Your ticket gets you:

  • Entry to an unforgettable night of celebration

  • Open bar (yes, really! Thanks to the legends at FAT Lighting)

  • Delicious canapés courtesy of Little Wolf Catering

  • Surprise appearances

  • A room full of brilliant, inspiring screen industry people

  • A chance to dust off that formal outfit 

  • All for a price that won't break the bank

Whether you're flying solo or bringing your crew (all genders welcome), this is THE place to be.

Click here for the full press release and past winners.

Don't sleep, get your tickets now!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

With thanks to our supporters: NZ On Air, Great Southern Film & Television, Perpetual Entertainment, Hinterland, Images & Sound, Sky, Professional Lighting Services, Queenstown Camera Company, SAE Creative Media Institute, South Pacific Pictures, Te Māngai Pāho, Wētā FX & FAT Lighting.

Sunday 15 Mar 2026

Screen Parents & Little Ones - Causal Industry Parents Meet-Up

WIFT and Tāmaki Makaurau Screen Industry Network (TMSIN) are super-keen to ensure parents of young children in our industry can remain connected to our community, at a time when that sense of professional and personal connection can be so important. 

We invite industry parents, especially those of babies and young children, to join us for a very casual catch up. Whether you're working, or taking an extended break from working, you're welcome to come along! Please register if you plan to come, so we can let you know about any changes like weather, etc.

Look out for Sam & James! (Photos in the banner above) We won't have a flag up, just come and introduce yourself.

We really encourage you to join us, so we can get a feel for whether there's an appetite for more of this. Come as you are, no fanciness required. Milk stains and sleep-deprivation all welcome. 

Date: Sunday 15th March

Time: 10am - 1pm

Location: Cornwall Park, meeting by the band rotunda (Click here for exact location via Google Maps)

Wet weather plans TBC

BYO children, blankets, snacks and games!

Please register with your phone numbers, in case of changes.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER VIA HUMANITIX

Wednesday 25 Mar 2026

Boost Your Work: Running A Successful Boosted Campaign (Christchurch)

Crowdfunding a film is one thing. Keeping a campaign alive, building momentum, finding your audience, and turning strangers into supporters is something else entirely. This panel brings together filmmakers for an honest conversation about what it actually takes to run a successful creative crowdfunding campaign in Aotearoa.

We will have Flynn Robson from Boosted, New Zealand's dedicated arts crowdfunding platform discuss how the platform works. He will be joined by Annabel Kean (The Weed Eaters) and Kim Georgine (A Son's Return Home), two filmmakers who have successfully been through the process themselves.

This session goes beyond the basics. Expect practical insights on platform optimisation, lateral thinking around outreach, and a frank discussion about what nobody tells you before you launch.

Whether you're mid-campaign, planning your first, or just crowdfunding-curious, this panel is your chance to learn from the people who've been through it, and come away with ideas you can use straight away.

We thank The Arts Foundation for collaborating with us on this event, as well as Kōawa Studios for hosting it. We are excited to be the first event held at the new theatre!

Date: Wednesday 25th March
Location: Kōawa Theatrette, University of Canterbury, Carpark 3, 21 Dovedale Avenue, Christchurch
Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm, workshop from 6:30pm-8:30pm

 

Free for WIFT members, $20 for non-members.

Wednesday 25 Mar 2026

Making It Work: Camera Up-Skilling with Tammy Williams (Wellington)

This event is BACK after a successful run in Christchurch, we are now bringing it to Wellington!

How do you create great visual work when resources are tight and you're working in a smaller market?

Join us for a practical workshop with Tammy Williams that explores the collaborative process between camera operators, directors, and producers. We'll dig into the real questions: What gear is essential (and what can wait)? How do camera operators and directors work together to achieve a shared vision? How do you balance creative ambition with budget realities?

This session covers both the technical and creative sides, from building camera skills and confidence to negotiating visual storytelling decisions and finding pathways to experience. Whether you're a camera operator, director, producer, or wearing multiple hats, this is about understanding how to work together effectively to create compelling content.

We will be using current industry standard camera gear thanks to Portsmouth.

Date: Wednesday 25th March
Location: Wētā Workshop Group Space, 129 Park Road, Miramar, Wellington
Time: Drinks and nibbles from 6pm, workshop from 5:30pm-8:00pm

Drinks and nibbles will be provided.
Free to WIFT members and $20 for non-members.

Click here to get your tickets via Humanitix

 

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