Congratulations to Catherine Fitzgerald who receives her honour as an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to film today. WIFT are delighted to see her honoured for her continued dedication to our organisation (among a list of other great achievements).
Catherine founded Blueskin Films in 2002, and began producing a run of high profile short films. She was part of the producing team on Oscar-nominated short Two Cars, One Night, and Vincent Ward's feature Rain of the Children. In 2011 she produced Samoan-language tale The Orator, which won two awards at the Venice Film Festival. Fitzgerald's screen career also includes work as a script assessor, funding executive and policy advisor. She has been chair of the New Zealand Film Festival Trust since 2001 and has also chaired of the Screen Producers' Association
Catherine was President for WIFT NZ from 2009-2011 and continues to work tirelessly to improve the status of women in film and television.
Well done Catherine - we wish you all the best for your award today.