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BSS 2024 Watchlist

By March 7, 2024March 29th, 2024News

Looking for something to watch? Look through some of our speakers’ latest and greatest work and where to find them!

The Farewell (2019)

– Director/Writing Credits/Producer/Musician
Comedy

In this funny, uplifting tale based on an actual lie, Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi (Awkwafina) reluctantly returns to Changchun to find that, although the whole family knows their beloved matriarch, Nai-Nai, has been given mere weeks to live, everyone has decided not to tell Nai Nai herself. As Billi navigates a minefield of family expectations and proprieties, she finds there’s a lot to celebrate: a chance to rediscover the country she left as a child, her grandmother’s wondrous spirit, and the ties that keep on binding even when so much goes unspoken. 

Expats (TV series) (2024)

– Director/Writing Credits/ Executive Producer
Drama

Set against the complex tapestry of Hong Kong residents, EXPATS depicts a multifaceted group of women after a single encounter sets off a chain of life-altering events that leaves everyone navigating the intricate balance between blame and accountability. 

Posthumous (2014)

– Director
Comedy, Drama, Romance 

After a struggling artist fakes his own death to gain attention, he falls for a resourceful reporter trying to expose him and both begin to see the possibility and value of a new perspective on life. 

The Dark Horse (2014)

– Director/ Writing Credits/ Acting/ Co-Producer/ additional editor
Documentary, Sport  

The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story based on the life of a charismatic, brilliant but little-known New Zealand Hero and Chess champion – Genesis Potini (Gen). The Dark Horse is a provocative, emotionally-charged and inspiring drama about a man who searches for the courage to lead, despite his own adversities – finding purpose and hope in passing on his gift to the children in his community. It is a film about two lost souls finding the strength to carry on through each other’s company – believing in themselves; even if no one else does. 2014 Four Knights Film, Genesis Picture Limited. All Rights Reserved. 

Whina (2022)

– Director/Writing Credits/Executive Producer
Drama  

Contains English Subtitles. The story of Dame Whina Cooper, the beloved Maori matriarch whose extraordinary life saw her break boundaries, champion the rights of her people, and fight for the land, all the while staying true to her heart and her beliefs. 

The Panthers (TV mini series) (2021)

– Writing Credits (1 episode)/co-executive producer
Drama

Auckland, 1974 – in the face of increased racial-targeting, a group of Polynesian students and street gangsters form a revolutionary movement for justice and equality. Made with the support of NZ On Air. 

CASTING DIRECTOR

Shayda (2023)

Drama 

SHAYDA, a brave Iranian mother, finds refuge in an Australian women’s shelter with her six-year-old daughter. Over Persian New Year, they take solace in Nowruz rituals and new beginnings, but when her estranged husband re-enters their lives, Shayda’s path to freedom is jeopardised. 

High Ground (2020)

Action  

In a bid to save the last of his family, Gutjuk (Jacob Junior Nayinggul), a young Aboriginal man, teams up with ex-soldier Travis (Simon Baker) to track down Baywara (Sean Mununggurr), the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, his uncle. 

We Are Still Here (2022)

Drama

In order to move forward, we must first look back. We Are Still Here is a unique Indigenous film that interweaves eight powerful tales to tell a sweeping story of hope and survival. 

Sweet Country (2017)

Drama

In 1920s Australia, an Aboriginal farmhand kills a white man in self-defense, then flees into the Outback, where he is pursued by a determined lawman. 

Spartacus (TV series) (2010-2013)

Acting
Historical Drama

The life of Spartacus, the gladiator who led a rebellion against the Romans. From his time as an ally of the Romans, to his betrayal and becoming a gladiator, to the rebellion he leads and its ultimate outcome.

The Wolverine (2013)

Stunt Performer.
Science Fiction, Action.

Wolverine travels to Tokyo to meet an old friend whose life he saved years ago and gets embroiled in a conspiracy involving yakuza and mutants.

The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies (2014)

Stunt Performer
Fantasy, Adventure, Action, Epic

Bilbo, a hobbit, makes a desperate attempt to save Thorin from the clutches of acquisitiveness while Sauron plans an elaborate attack on Middle Earth to obliterate the humans, dwarves and elves.

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

Stunts
Comedy, Horror

Viago, Deacon, and Vladislav are vampires who are struggling with the mundane aspects of modern life, like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs, and overcoming flatmate conflicts.

Baelin’s Route – An Epic NPC Man Adventure (2021)

Comedy, Fantasy

An NPC set in the video-game ‘Skycraft’ finds himself escorting a young NPC girl to safety through the harsh fantasy world of Azerim.

Bored (Series)(2013-)

Epic NPC Man (Series)(2016-)

Miles From Nowhere (2024)

Comedy, Drama

A young Kiwi-Muslim songwriter named Said is having a crisis. His fiancee left him, his career’s non-existent, and his mum worries he’s losing touch with his faith. Said risks it all when he befriends an SIS agent. Made with support from NZ On Air.  

Cast: Arlo Green, Sami Afuni, Benedict Wall 

Come to Daddy (2019)

Director/ Executive Producer/ Writing Credits

Comedy, Horror

Norval Greenwood (Elijah Wood, The Lord of the Rings trilogy), a privileged man-child, arrives at the beautiful and remote coastal cabin of his estranged father (Martin Donovan, Tenet), who he hasn’t seen in 30 years. He quickly discovers that not only is dad a disapproving jerk, he also has a shady past that is rushing to catch up with him. Now, hundreds of miles from his cushy comfort zone, Norval must battle with demons both real and perceived in order to reconnect with a father he barely knows. 

 

Mister Organ (2022)

Executive Producer
Documentary

Journalist and filmmaker David Farrier (Tickled, Dark Tourist) unwittingly stumbles into a game of cat and mouse with a mystery man creating havoc in his neighbourhood, wheel clamping cars at a local antique store. That clamper was Michael Organ, and little did Farrier know that delving deeper into who Organ really is, would be a thrilling and tension filled three year long investigation  unearthing a trail of multiple court cases, inflated claims of royal bloodlines, ruined lives, and at least one stolen boat. 

Nintendo Switch Game: Video World

Forest Paths Method used for Game Design
Music, Adventure 

Video World is a synth-pop Halloween musical about working at a video store, based on 3 original songs from synth-pop artist Monster Mansion. Sing and complete rhythmic challenges while you decorate a video store for Halloween and make friends with a magical pumpkin! 

Eagle vs. Shark (2007)

Writing Credits/ Acting/ Casting 

The tale of two socially-awkward misfits and the strange ways they try to find love: through revenge on high-school bullies, burgers, and video games. 

 

After the Party (2023)

Acting 

Penny loses everything when she accuses her husband of a sex crime against her daughter’s teenage friend and no-one believes her.  

The Convert (2024)

Writing Credits
Drama

A lay preacher who arrives at a British settlement in 1830s. His violent past is soon drawn into question and his faith put to the test, as he finds himself caught in the middle of a bloody war between Māori tribes.  

  • Available Tickets in Select  Cinemas until April 3rd.  

 

The Gone (TV Series) (2023 -)

Executive Producer/Writing Credits
Drama, Mystery.  

An Irish detective teams up with a Kiwi cop to find an Irish couple who have vanished from a rural New Zealand town. The pair have to contend with a community’s growing disquiet that the disappearances may be linked to a series of historical murders.  

Kairākau (2016)

Cinematographer
Action, Drama 

Step inside the world of historic Māori Warriors, Kairākau, as they each battle for life and death in this action-drama series. 100% te Reo Māori with English subtitles.  

  

The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari (2022)

Cinematographer
Documentary 

Portrays human bravery and resilience after a tragic volcano disaster in New Zealand.  

We Are Still Here (2022)

Director/Writing Credits.
Drama 

In order to move forward, we must first look back. We Are Still Here is a unique Indegenious film that interweaves eight powerful tales to tell a sweeping story of hope and survival.  

The Panthers (TV series) (2021)

Director
Drama 

Inspired by The Black Panthers in the USA; a group of young radicals from New Zealand form the Polynesian Panthers.  

Beyond the Known World (2017)

Writing Credits                                                                               
Drama 

Recently divorced Carl and Julie are not on good terms. When their 19-year-old daughter goes missing in India, they must journey from coastal Auckland into the Himalayas in search for her. As Carl despairs at Eva’s disappearance, Julie’s refusal to stop searching eventually proves that sometimes blind faith is better than having none at all, and that to find their daughter these two people must first rediscover each other.  

 

After the Party (2023)

Executive Producer/WritingCredits           
Drama 

Penny loses everything when she accuses her husband of a sex crime against her daughter’s teenage friend, and no-one believes her.  

McLaren (2017)

Producer
Documentary, Action

Bruce McLaren founded the McLaren Motor Racing team in New Zealand, showing the world that a man from a humble background could make his mark on the elite world of motor racing and win.

 

Dawn Raid (2021)

Executive Producer
Documentary

The extraordinary untold story of acclaimed New Zealand music label Dawn Raid Entertainment and its two founders, Andy Murnane and Brotha D.

 

Whina (2022)

Executive Producer
Drama

Contains English Subtitles. The story of Dame Whina Cooper, the beloved Māori matriarch whose extraordinary life saw her break boundaries, champion the rights of her people, and fight for the land, all the while staying true to her heart and her beliefs.

 

Billion Dollar Heist (2023)

Executive Producer
Documentary

The story of one of the most daring cyber heists of all time, the Bangladeshi Central Bank theft. Tracing the origins of cyber-crime, from basic turn of the millennium credit card fraud by individuals to wildly complex, global criminal organizations.

3 Body Problem (2024)

Acting
Science Fiction

A fateful decision made in 1960s China reverberates in the present, where across continents and decades, five brilliant friends make earth-shattering discoveries as the laws of science unravel and an existential threat emerges.

Tama Tū (short) (2005)

Acting
War

A squad of Māori troops in WWII Europe silently entertain themselves in a destroyed house while waiting to enter the coming battle.

 

The Deadlands (2014)

Acting
Action, Adventure

A teenage Māori ventures out into forbidden lands and forms an alliance with a mysterious warrior in order to avenge his father’s death and bring peace to the souls of his people.

 

Vegas (series) (2021)

Acting.
Drama

Vegas is set in a fictional world very like modern-day Aotearoa, where a business owner is thrust into New Zealand’s dark underbelly after a million-dollar drug deal goes wrong on a blood-stained night, setting off a chain of events between dangerous factions.

 

Mahana (The Patriarch) (2016)

Acting
Drama, Coming-of-age.

1960s, East Coast of New Zealand. Two Māori sheep-shearing families, the Mahanas and the Poatas, are longstanding enemies and commercial rivals. 14-year-old Simeon Mahana, the youngest son of the youngest son is in conflict with his traditionalist grandfather, Tamihana.  As Simeon unravels the truth behind the longstanding family vendetta he risks not just his own future prospects but the cohesion of the entire tight-knit society.

Vegas (series) (2021)

Associate Producer
Drama

Vegas is set in a fictional world very like modern-day Aotearoa, where a business owner is thrust into New Zealand’s dark underbelly after a million-dollar drug deal goes wrong on a blood-stained night, setting off a chain of events between dangerous factions.

 

Tits on a Bull (short) (2014)

Producer.
Drama

A young, talented rugby player must choose between Rusty, her long-term friend and coach and her beautiful team captain, Mel.

Kamali (short) (2019)

Director/Producer
Documentary

A single mother fights for her daughter’s empowerment in India through skateboarding.

 

Kofi and Lartey (short) (2019)

Director
Documentary

The story of a man who escaped one of the most toxic places in the world, and his fight to try and empower two young boys to do the same.

After the Party (2023)

Executive Producer/ Acting
Drama

Penny loses everything when she accuses her husband of a sex crime against her daughter’s teenage friend, and no-one believes her.

 

Black Bird (miniseries) (2022)

Acting
Crime, Drama, Thriller

Jimmy Keene is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum-security prison but he cuts a deal with the FBI to befriend a suspected serial killer. Kenne has to elicit a confession from Larry Hall to find the bodies of as many as eighteen women.

Black Hands (miniseries) (2021)

Executive Producer
Drama

On the morning of June 20, 1994, five members of the Bain family were found dead in their Dunedin, New Zealand home. This tells the story of an atrocity that captured a nation and remains one of New Zealand’s most controversial cases.

 

 

Heaven and Hell: The Centrepoint Story (2021)

Executive Producer.
Documentary

Former members of the 1970s Centrepoint commune tell their stories, in this intimate and astonishing insight into New Zealand’s most infamous cult.

Raised by Refugees (series) (2021)

Writing Credits/Acting/Showrunner
Comedy, Drama.

Pax is your typical 12-year-old from the early 2000s. His parents came to NZ in the late ‘80s as refugees and want him to get good grades, but all Pax wants to do is fit in. However, a major international incident changes that.

Dawn Raid (2021)

Director/Associate Producer/ EPK Producer
Documentary

The extraordinary untold story of acclaimed New Zealand music label Dawn Raid Entertainment and its two founders, Andy Murnane and Brotha D.

 

Pork Pie (2017)

Co-executive producer/ EPK Producer
Comedy

Pork Pie tracks the escapades of a trio of accidental outlaws as they travel the length of New Zealand in a yellow mini, protesting conformity and chasing lost love, with a posse of cops and a media frenzy hot in their pursuit.

 

Whina (2022)

Director/ Associate Producer/ EPK Producer
Biopic Drama

A biopic of the trailblazing Māori leader, Dame Whina Cooper, whose extraordinary life saw her break gender boundaries, champion the rights of Māori, and fight for the land- all the while staying true to her heart and her beliefs.

My Life is Murder (2019-)

Acting/Executive Producer
Crime, Comedy, Drama

My Life is Murder follows the adventures of fearless private investigator Alexa Crowe, who solves the most baffling crimes as well as coping with the frustrations of everyday life.

 

Spartacus (TV series) (2010-2013)

Acting
Historical Drama

The life of Spartacus, the gladiator who led a rebellion against the Romans. From his time as an ally of the Romans, to his betrayal and becoming a gladiator, to the rebellion he leads and its ultimate outcome.

Rain (2001)

Director/Writing Credits
Drama.

Whilst on a family vacation on the Mahurangi Peninsula in New Zealand, 13-year-old Janey begins to realize that her parents’ marriage is on the rocks.

Thank You For Your Service (2017)

Acting
Drama, War

A group of U.S. soldiers returning from Iraq struggle to integrate back into family and civilian life, while living with the memory of a war that threatens to destroy them long after they’ve left the battlefield.

 

The Panthers (TV series) (2021)

Acting
Drama

Inspired by The Black Panthers in the USA; a group of young radicals from New Zealand form the Polynesian Panthers.

 

Next Goal Wins (2023)

Acting
Sports, Comedy, Drama

The story of the infamously terrible American Samoa soccer team, known for a brutal 2001 FIFA match they lost 31-0. With the 2014 World Cup qualifiers approaching, down-on-his-luck coach Thomas Rongen tries to turn the American Samoa soccer team into winners.

Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)

Music Supervisor
Supernatural, Horror.

A troubled security guard begins working at Freddy’s Fazbear’s Pizza. During his first night on the job, her realizes that the night shift won’t be so easy to get through. Pretty soon he will unveil what actually happened at Freddy’s.

             

Red, White & Brass (2023)

Music Supervisor
Comedy

When Maka and Veni fail in getting tickets for the most important game of their lives, they decide to form a traditional Tongan marching band, just so they can go to the game. No one in their band of misfits knows anything about marching and they practice using plastic bottles and tin cans for instruments. It is a complete shambles and if they can’t get their act together, they will embarrass their entire Tongan community in front of the world. However, what starts out as just a cynical scam to see a rugby game becomes a journey of self-discovery in which Maka and Veni will learn the importance of their Tongan culture.

 

Baby Done (2020)

Music Supervisor
Comedy, Drama, Romance

Wannabe-adventurer Zoe freaks out when she falls pregnant to her long-term boyfriend Tim. As Tim embraces the prospect of fatherhood, Zoe attempts to rush through her dreams.

 

Crip Camp (2020)

Music Supervisor
Documentary

Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed at a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement.

Whale Rider (2002)

Acting
Drama

Whale Rider is a contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph set in a small New Zealand coastal village as a young Māori girl fights to fulfil a destiny her grandfather refuses to recognize.

 

The Dark Horse (2014)

Acting/ Executive Producer
Documentary, Sport

The Dark Horse is an inspiring true story based on the life of a charismatic, brilliant but little-known New Zealand Hero and Chess champion – Genesis Potini (Gen). The Dark Horse is a provocative, emotionally-charged and inspiring drama about a man who searches for the courage to lead, despite his own adversities – finding purpose and hope in passing on his gift to the children in his community. It is a film about two lost souls finding the strength to carry on through each other’s company – believing in themselves; even if no one else does. 2014 Four Knights Film, Genesis Picture Limited. All Rights Reserved.

 

Muru (2022)

Acting
Action, Drama

Inspired by actual events, Muru is the story of a local Police Sergeant ‘Taffy’ Tāwharau (Cliff Curtis), who must choose between duty to his badge or his people, when the Government invoke antiterrorism powers to launch an armed raid on Taffy’s remote Urewera community, on a school day. This gripping action drama is not a re-creation, but a response to the 2007 Tūhoe raids. Muru is a Māori concept for ‘forgiveness.’

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