PROJECTS
Frisky [short film] 2023
Writer, Director, Co-Producer, Production Design
Frisky is a 20 minute film about a reclusive young farmer, Mick, and his childhood friend , Alex, a transgender city kid. They must re-form a friendship in order to save their farm from a terrible storm. The film touches on themes of isolation, queer identity conflicts and Aotearoa rural mental health issues.
Fresh out of film school and with limited experience, we were a tiny team of passionate young filmmakers and this was our first proper short film. The script presented many challenges such as outdoor shoots, local bar scenes, live animals, and road sequences. However we pulled together our resources, planned efficiently, worked hard and ended up bringing this beautiful little story to life.
Read more about this awesome project and its journey here -
Friend of Dorothy's [short film] 2024
Writer, Director
Friend of Dorothy's is a 15 minute short film about a retired drag queen who must trek across Aotearoa countryside with her neighbourhood friend in order to overcome grief and fix a sequin dress from her youth.
Currently, the film is in the process of seeking funding through Script to Screen Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts. Myself and producer/artist Daniel Betty have been working hard to form a team and lift this project up off the ground. The prospect of moving into pre-production in 2024 is incredibly exciting. The script is a personal best, featuring captivating imagery, truthful layered characters and the potential for a rich soundscape. The storyline is one that many people can connect with, and at its core, the film radiates a sprinkle of queer magic.
The New New Film Collective
Co-Founder, Writer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor, Colourist
I have recently co-founded a Wellington queer film collective with filmmaker and good friend Goose Cherian. At The New New, we defy film industry norms by crafting DIY queer cinema! Our mission: challenge the status quo and liberate queer storytelling in cinema. Through the art of filmmaking, we empower ourselves and fellow queer creators to share our stories and craft narratives that mirror our identities and experiences.
We are based in Wellington, Aotearoa, and consist of a tight-knit community of vibrant, evolving, young queer creators. Inspired by the New Queer Cinema movement, we value personal expression, activism and shamelessness. We commit ourselves to zero/low budget filmmaking, prioritising emotional depth over commercial gloss.
We create a collaborative environment of growth and compassion, nurturing each other's talents and making our own opportunities. Through our projects, we create a support network that encourages exploration, growth in our film production skills, experimentation, and artistic evolution.
Keep an eye out for more New New updates on Instagram! (website coming soon)
Fingerdance [short film] 2023
Cinematographer, Editor, Colourist
"Fingerdance" is a 5-minute short about the conflicting and lustful relationship between two trans men. The film is character-focused and takes place in a small bedroom on a sunny afternoon. With its handheld close-up cinematography, the film has an intimate tone that draws the audience into this unique queer experience.
"Fingerdance" is the New New Collective's first short, written and directed by one of our talented members and co-founder, Goose. I had the opportunity to be the Director of Photography (D.O.P) and surprised myself by producing some beautiful cinematography. Currently, the film is in post-production, where myself and other members of the collective are working on the edit, colour grade, and sound design. "Fingerdance" serves as a great start to our work at the New New Collective, embodying unapologetic queer desire.
The film is scheduled for completion in January 2024, and our goal is to integrate it into our expanding collection of short films crafted by the collective. We also aim to showcase a small collection of films at a premiere night in Wellington.
