What makes a story both deeply authentic and widely resonant?
Join acclaimed international producers Fran Borgia (Apprentice, A Land Imagined) and Paul Garnes (Queen Sugar, Selma, Origin) in panel discussion as they explore how culturally specific storytelling can break through borders, and why truth, nuance, and integrity matter more than ever.
With decades of experience navigating the intersection of identity, place, and audience, Borgia and Garnes will share insights from their careers working across continents and genres. Together, they’ll discuss how to champion underrepresented voices, collaborate across cultures, and make work that is rooted in local truth but speaks to the world.
This conversation will spark vital kōrero for Aotearoa’s screen storytellers: How do we stay grounded in our own voices while reaching a global stage? And what does authentic storytelling really mean in an interconnected industry. How can NZ’s stories resonate globally?
SPEAKERS
FRAN BORGIA
Fran Borgia is a film producer, researcher, and educator born in Spain, and now based between Singapore and New Zealand, where he is currently pursuing his PhD at Auckland University of Technology. He is the founder of Akanga Film Asia, an independent film production company based in Singapore. One of the most prolific independent producers working in Asia, Borgia is closely associated with several award-winning and critically acclaimed films, including Lav Diaz’s A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery (Berlinale Competition 2016 – Silver Bear Winner), K. Rajagopal’s A Yellow Bird (Cannes Critics’ Week 2016), Boo Junfeng’s Apprentice (Cannes Un Certain Regard 2016), Yeo Siew Hua’s A Land Imagined (Locarno 2018 – Golden Leopard Winner), Kamila Andini’s YUNI (Toronto 2021 – Platform Prize Winner), Jow Zhi Wei’s Tomorrow is a Long Time (Berlinale Generation 2023), Amanda Nell Eu’s Tiger Stripes (Cannes Critics’ Week 2023 – Grand Prize Winner), Chia Chee Sum’s Oasis of Now (Busan 2023 / Berlinale Forum 2024), Yeo Siew Hua’s Stranger Eyes (Venice Competition 2024), Rima Das’ Village Rockstars 2 (Busan 2024 – Jiseok Award / Berlinale Generation 2025), and Chie Hayakawa’s Renoir (Cannes Competition 2025).
PAUL GARNES
A graduate of Chicago’s Columbia College, Paul Garnes was VP of Operations for Jamie Foxx’s Foxx-King Productions and Head of Production at Simmons-Lathan Media Group before joining the Tyler Perry company in 2006 where he oversaw creation of its multi-million dollar studio and backlot along with production for over 250 episodes of television. In 2011, Garnes produced Ava Duvernay’s Middle of Nowhere, beginning their relationship as producing partners. Paul now serves as President of Production at ARRAY Filmworks overseeing a slate that has included Queen Sugar (2022), Origin (2024), and Oscar-nominee Selma (2014).
